Here Today... Gone To Hell!

figured since the season starts tonight that we should start a new thread.

so will Ovechkin and Crosby match their numbers this year?

will Malkin be a bust or a star?

who will be the Wings new captain?

will  the Leafs suck again?

will the Habs regret getting rid of Theodore?

who will win the cup?

should be a great season cant wait for the puck to drop :beer:

Hey,

I'm glad Hockey's back,  good points to bring up Neemo.

I think Crosby and Ovechkin are gonna be the reason that hockey gains in popularity for the next few years.  If last year was any indication, I think the sport is ready to really take off (again).  Being a homer, I'm still gonna cheer my ass off for the Leafs, and they'll find a way to dissappoint me somehow, although I do like some of the kids they've got now.

As for the cup, It's pretty much a crap-shoot, any team could jump in and surprise, but I think that someone like the Ducks or Sabres got the best chance

crosby and ovechkin will be even better, malkin will have the same impact on the league as crosby and ovechkin had last season him in the same line as crosby would be awesome, i think pittsburgh and washington will be great dynastys in the future with crosby and malkin in one team and ovechkin and nicklas b?ckstr?m in washington, b?ckstr?m is one of the most talented swedish players since forsberg but will stay in sweden for one more season before he enters NHL was drafted by the capitals as number 6 i think this year..

i think lidstr?m will be the new captian for the red wings, him or zetterberg i hope, sundin is my favourite hockeyplayer, and i hope for the best for the leafs, the cup? hmm, i think anaheim has a good shot with both pronger and niedermayer at the blue line..

Lindros in dallas if he can be healthy he can do great there, still got the talent, will be interresting following him.. forsberg the new captain in philly hopefully if he's healthy they have a chance for something, NYR with Jagr and lundquist will make the playoffs again, shanahan isn't in his prime but you never know,

I don't know the answers to those, that's why I'm gonna watch. Looks like anyone could take the Cup this year, it ought to be an exciting season. Go slugs Sabres!

As a Pens fan, I'm really looking forward to seeing Crosby in action again. From what I've seen Malkin play, he'll be amazing, and it would be cool to see them play together at some point.

Tonight is the first game against the Flyers, and I actually get to see it on TV live!!! (thanks Canal+) The first live Penguins game I'll witness since Gretzky's last homegame (when Jagr socred in OT for Pens). I'm really looking forward to this, though judging from the preseason games, I'm not hoping for miracles. But still.. Things seem a bit better than last year.

pens might be sold pending approval by the league....dude says the team will stay in pittsburgh but they need a new rink and rumors are pointing to interest in kitchener and hamilton

Ovechkin is going to tear it up again this season.  : ok:
Crosby will be just fine.
Leafs will suck again  :crying: but be #8 in the east and lose to Bufflo in round 1
Montreal won't regret Theodore but Huet won't perform as well as last year, Aebischer will be the number 1 man after Dec.
Pens will move to Hamilton in 2008.
and thats all I can see in my crystal ball right now 8)

6-0 Toronto HAHAHAHA  ;D

yeah toronto win against ottawa with 6-0! and philly loses to pitsburgh with 4-0..

shanahan has now 600 goals after scoring 2 at the rangers 5-2 win, elias is the new captain in new jersey


go toronto :yes:

flyers are a mess. no chemistry at all. but they have some speed and some playmakers. it's gonna take a little while, but i think they'll get it together eventually.

crosby is awesome. he's an incredible player, and he mixes it up with everyone. he gets in people's faces. he had scrums with forsberg and hatcher.

we play the penquins in 3 weeks (and 7 more times this year). should be entertaining.

chicago looked damn good yesterday too :o well their d didn't but 8 goals!! holy shit

I'm still not sold on him. I have concerns about his character.

It's only healthy to have some criticism, and not go in with the hype.. But he was excellent in the last game, and I'm _so_ happy he's in Pittsburgh. Not really convinced about our game just yet though.. outshot 40-20 (about). Well, we'll see how things go from here, and the next test is tonight against Detroit.

yeah i agree, i think hes kind of a cry baby or coward, don't know the right word for it. I like ovechkin far more :yes:

Oilers tonight.  They are goin to kill Calgary

i know what you're saying about him coming off as a crybaby. and he doesn't seem like a very likeable person. but i watched him closely the other night and he works hard. and he showed ALOT of toughness.

pitts. looked like a playoff contender.

That didn't quite happen, now did it?

I am a true Hab fan. They will not regret getting rid of Theo - but I think they will regret getting rid of Zednik.

The Oilers are going to kill the Sharks on Thursday

7-2 I say

Oilers aren't built for blowouts.

Why all the over-love for the Oilers?  I love when fans are so realistic.

And sandman, I have to agree completely with your assessment of Crosby.  Whiny, thoroughly unlikeable off the ice, but he's playing with some grit so far this year (mostly because he has a decent group of semi-fighters to back him up-- reminding me of Bobby Clarke a bit).

just heard on the radio....there are 6 swede captains in the NHL this year with Forsberg and Lidstrom promoted

and another tidbit....a team with a european captain has never won the cup...kinda crazy, i guess Lidstrom's gonna be the first :hihi:

Edit: just for the hell of it....nearly 1/2 the teams have euro captains this year (13), canada has 14 NHL Captains :D USA has 2 and Pittsburgh didn't name one this year

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins, Slovakian
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings, Swedish
Olli Jokinen, Florida Panthers, Finnish
Mattias Norstrom, Los Angeles Kings, Swedish
Saku Koivu, Montreal Canadiens, Finnish
Kimmo Timonen, Nashville Predators, Finnish
Patrik Elias, New Jersey Devils, Czech
Jaromir Jagr, N.Y. Rangers, Czech
Alexei Yashin, N.Y. Islanders, Russian
Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators, Swedish
Peter Forsberg, Philadelphia Flyers, Swedish
Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs, Swedish
Markus Naslund, Vancouver Canucks, Swedish

WOW, What A night for Sundin

500 career goal
8th career hat trick
15th overtime goal (NHL Record)
Shothanded

That was an amazing moment watcjing that game

yeah that shot was insane, nice way to get the milestone(s)

nashville finally got a win, i thought they would be a force this year but pretty blah so far :-\

I guess there are really only 1.5 American captains... Drury's a co-captain with Briere in Buffalo.

I think BUFFALO is thee team to beat in the EAST  :smoking:

YES! : ok:

when i wrote some of my predictions for this year i said that i thought that shanahan was a bad investment for the rangers.. but now he has scored 7 goals i think and leads the the league in points.. pretty impressive


and yeah we have 6 captains :yes:

yeah i'm the only one posting in this thread :hihi:


must be one of the worse season starts for the flyers in a while

Goons don't win games.

Goons?  Where?

Are you calling the Flyers goons?  If so, then I'm sorry but that may be one of the most idiotic statements I've seen.  The team has two fighting majors this season (even less than the Red Wings, who had the fewest in the league with 4 or 5 last year) and for the most part has been passive while getting steamrolled.

No one stood up for themselves in their last two losses at the hands of Tampa Bay and Buffalo.  A 9-1 loss?  If you go back even 10 years, there's hitting all over the place, a few fights, maybe even a line brawl if a team runs up the score like that.  You do it in baseball and you'll get at least one or two brushback pitches or intentional beanings.  Now in this Bettmanist, pussified NHL, what do you get?  ONE SINGLE GODDAMN ROUGHING PENALTY!  And it was after all nine goals, and called on Mike Knuble-- one hell of a goon there.

Captain Kangaroo Hitchcock has got to go.  The Flyers used to be the last bastion of tough, hard hitting hockey with some good goal scorers and great goaltending.  Now they've grown a pussy, go bending over for teams, and beg to take it in the ass.

No offense meant to the Flyers fans here, as I'm sure plenty of you agree and are wondering what happened to this team and the balls it once had.

Goons?  Bullshit.

I'm talking goon as in big dopes who can't skate, not fighting goons. Hatcher is NOT a #1 defensemen in this league, and the rest of their team can't skate either. Other than Gagne and Forsberg I can't name a player on the Flyers who I would say could be stars in the new NHL. They're playing hockey like it hasn't changed and players don't get older. Same philosophy that gets Modano and Chelios in the olympics, and the US without a medal.

So you're referring more to "pylons," "statues," and "cones" rather than "goons" in the hockey sense of the word.  Gotcha.

Off to their worst start in 15 years, the Philadelphia Flyers cleaned house on Sunday, firing head coach Ken Hitchcock and letting general manager Bob Clarke resign.

Hitchcock told TSN he learned of his fate early Sunday morning. Assistant coach John Stevens has been promoted to Hitchcock's post, while Paul Holmgren will take over Clarke's managing duties.

The Flyers have just one win in their first seven games this season. They lost to the Florida Panthers on Friday night for their fifth straight loss. The Flyers had not lost five in a row since 2002.

On Tuesday, the Flyers were blasted 9-1 by the Buffalo Sabres. The Flyers sent Petr Nedved and Niko Dimitrakos to the AHL the next day, and owner Ed Snider promised more changes.

Snider said Sunday that he conducted a thorough investigation of the team's operations after the Buffalo loss and decided he needed to make a coaching change.

 

"It's difficult to let a coach of his calibre go," Snider said. "It was not done frivolously."

In 10 season as an NHL head coach with Dallas and Philadelphia, Hitchcock has posted a record of 408-249-100. He is 66-51 in playoff games and won the Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999.

Hitchcock had been the Flyers coach for four seasons and signed a new three-year deal in training camp. At the time, Clarke said re-signing his coach was "final piece of stability" the Flyers needed heading into the season.

Clarke, in his second stint with Philadelphia, had been the team's GM for a total 13 seasons. 

"I deeply regret not being able to bring a Stanley Cup here," Clarke said solemnly on Sunday. "I didn't deliver."

Clarke has come under fire for failing to deal well with the new NHL.  He has signed big, slow players like Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje, while other teams - like the Sabres - have blossomed in the new NHL with smaller, faster players.

Snider, however, said he never considered replacing Clarke and was caught off guard by his general manager's decision.

"Bob Clarke has been the heart and soul of the Flyers for nearly 40 years," Snider said n a statement. "Bob was the driving force behind our Stanley Cups as a player, and as president and general manager, he built the Flyers into one of the premier franchises in hockey. I will always think of Bob as the Ultimate Flyer and there is always a position within our organization for Bob Clarke."

Clarke insisted his decision was personal and had nothing to do with the players, the coach or the losing. In fact, he informed Snider after the third game of the season about his feelings.

"I recognized myself that I hadn't been very good," Clarke said. "It wasn't because of our record, I can guarantee you that.

"The zest or the job - I lost it."

Clarke said he just wasn't prepared to do the things a general manager needed to do in order to be successful. Clarke suggested that he may have been suffering from burn-out, and had been letting Holmgren do much of the work he would normally do.

He added that he left the June draft feeling more like a by-stander than a general manager, which might explain why Clarke froze at the podium, forgetting the name of the Flyers' first round pick when making the announcement.

The gaffe was funny at the time, but Clarke said on Sunday that the draft was the first sign he might be wearing down. He regrets not realizing his situation sooner.

"The team has to come first," Clarke said. "And I was letting the team down."

Holmgren was clearly upset to be replacing his mentor under such circumstances. "My heart is sad today," Holmgren said. "He's like a big brother to me.

"I've felt for a long time that Bob wasn't right with the job. I've felt for a long time that he was off the beat, for lack of a better phrase."

Snider said he was optimistic about the team's future with Holmgren and Stevens at the helm. Snider said he didn't expect miracles, but hoped the changes might prompt better results from the players.

"We'll see how they respond," Snider said.  "Hopefully they will respond favourably."

Stevens was the head coach of the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate for the past six seasons before joining the big club as an assistant.  He led the Philadelphia Phantoms to the Calder Cup in 2005.

"John Stevens has quickly proven that he can coach in the National Hockey League," Snider said. "He worked very closely with many of our younger players when he coached them as Phantoms. We believe that we have a core of great young talent and we think that John is the right guy to coach this team."

Holmgren was also positive that the new leadership group can turn things around.

"We're better than what we've shown," he said. "We just have to march ahead and do a better job."

i watrched the press conference and honestly could not believe what i was watching.

i love bobby clarke and he IS the flyers, but it's a shame it took him this long to step down. his performance the last five months was piss poor. and the team has suffered (and will suffer) because of it.

I wouldn't say his performance was that bad. He is at fault for the D problems but I think Hitch was more of a problem. He was at fault for the lack of heart and their lack of toughness. Clarke assembled pretty good scoring depth but they can't score. That's not Clarke's fault. Hitch lost the team, IMO. I wouldn't have minded if Clarke was given until the end of the season at least.

I'm glad they're both gone. : ok:

He was that way in his Dallas days too.  He unceremoniously dumped Shane Churla (after 7 years protecting the Stars), actively prevented Brent Severyn frm having his name put on the Cup, had no one over 100 PIM in 1999-00.  Todd Harvey and Brendan Morrow usually led his teams in PIM while he coached in Dallas.  Those teams had no protectors, limited toughness, and repeatedly fell apart in playoff time because of it.

And now, he kicks Fedoruk and Brashear to the curb.  The toughest player on this year's team is Nolan Baumgartner.  Disgusted yet?

Hopefully Stevens and Holmgren turn it around and get someone decently tough either this year or next.

Well Brashear would be more of a liability than an enforcer in the new NHL. But I agree, toughness and heart is missing in Philly.

what about that Anze Kopitar in L.A. Kings, he's gonna be something big one day i think.. played in sweden last couple of years, oh yeah

but he won a cup, so how can you argue against his moves???

there's no fighting in the NHL anymore. if you don't have speed and some skill, you're a liability. five years ago, brash was an awesome asset to his team. now he's practically worthless.

toughness is not the flyers problem. they have not been playing with much heart, their D is awful, and they have not finished many of their chances offensively (and they have had plenty of chances). i think many players do not respond well to hitch and are struggling under the pressure he places on them.

The Hawks are beginning to fuck up. I hope Havlat's injury won't keep him out too long.

At least it looks like they have a weak didision, so that's good.

Going to the Leafs/Sens game tonight at the ACC...My only hope is the Leafs dont get blown away....I dont mind a lose as long as its a good game...We got first row gold by the visitor blue line

lucky bastard :rant:

 :hihi: j/k nice score :drool: :beer: have a great time...ottawa is pretty spotty so far leafs may take it

Hitch's Cup win was mostly because of the team being carried by Ed Belfour throughout the whole playoffs.  1.67 GAA and 3 shutouts, plus a .930 save pct.  The lack of toughness and grit screwed everything up for them in the years following.

most champs ride a hot goalie...kinda unfair to single hitchcock out...that Dallas team was pretty damn awesome too :drool:

They were full of lousy cheaters!

like Craig '8ft wide shin pads' Ludwig :hihi: the only cheaters on that team were ex-habs :rofl:

Fighting isnt completely obsolete. It seems that way because the Flyers have been towards the bottom of league in fights the last two seasons, but its still there. However, this isn't just about fighting. It's about their lack of toughness in general. They have been a completely soft team. They've been getting outhit. They don't stick up for their star players. They don't retaliate after major hits such as the one that ended Primeau's career or the one that ended Johnsson's season (and career as a Flyer). Heck, they can't even check anymore. It's like Hitch had them so fearful of taking a bad penalty that they wouldn't even look at a player the wrong way.

The lack of toughness isn't the only problem but they shouldn't allow theirselves to be complete pushovers regardless of the other problems. That being said, I agree that many players didn't respond well under Hitch. He is a good coach but his style wears thin - especially on the younger players. Gagne and Richards didn't respond well from reading their comments. Justin Williams and Mike Comrie didn't respond well either. I believe Hitch has probably hurt Pitkanen's confidence, too.

Well said - As a Flyers fan - I totally agree.  I am hoping that coach Sutter from the World Junior Canadian team gets the spot in Philly.  Gagne, Pitkanen, Carter, Richards, Niittymakki, Forsberg will all start to fire under him. And Downie joins the team in a couple years!!

Sutter would be a great addition but Stevens will get the whole season. I am kinda excited about Stevens even though he has no NHL experience. He was really good with the youngsters on the Phantoms so he might just get them to produce. I think he will help Pitkanen a lot! Can't wait for Downie! Giroux looks like he could be awesome, too! Clarke set us up well for the future.  :D

Pittsburgh rocked last night! Although it was against the Devils who've had a bit of a rough start, but still. If Crosby and Malkin are finding each other like that out there in the future as well... It'll be one hell of a season. Fleury was pretty good. He could've kept the Devils at one. The second goal was not needed. But still. I'm impressed. They look like a whole new team. Especially the young players are benefitting from less hooking and obstruction. I'm especially glad about Staal's performance. I really hope they don't send him back to the minors.

Damn.... Malkin 4 goals in 4 games... i don't think Staal will be sent down but it's possible

yeah malkin and crosby are one of the best duos at the moment.. but that may change since malkins last club in russia are trying to get him back suing pittsburgh and stuff.. but i hope it works out

actually the suit is to see what malkin contract is binding right? he may have to head back to russia if he is in breach :-\

Handzus out for the year now. Fuck.

Magnitogorsk has no case.  Russian law, as far as I understand it, states that as long as you give two weeks notice on any employment contract, you may legally exit that contract.

They failed trying it on Ovechkin, and they'll fail at it here too.

That being said, I'm hoping he turns out to be a nicer guy than Crosby has been.  I have a custom-made 8x10 photo waiting to be sent out for an autograph request.

From what I've heard, the contract he had to write with the russian team (was it magnitogorsk (sp??) ??) :) , was done under more than suspicious conditions. Dunno for sure though.. As prolly does no one 'xcept for the people involved.

But still.. He's had an impressive start. Crosby was good last year.. This year he seems to have cut the talk a bit (although there's still some.. and there always will and I'm cool with it) and his really fighting out there.

At the moment... good times..

I know it is only one game but it feels so good to say THE FLYERS WIN!  :hihi:

yeah it really was only for a game,

woah pittsburgh will prolly make the playoffs this year with that superduo, malkin scored for the 5th game in a row and crosby scored his first NHL hat trick

They looked really strong last night as well.

Hopefully they'll keep going through out the season. Would be cool to see them in playoffs first time in a long time.

the flyers are just a bad team. it wasn't hitch's problem. it's in large part due to clarkie.

all of our young "stars" are average at best. richards is a HUGE disappoitment. and our yound D look lost.

we lost dejardins and kim johnnson this offseason - 2 veteran D and didn't replace them. we lost our captain and heart and soul of the team (preems) to injury, and didn't even try to replace him.  and gagne is playing like shit.

the flyers are a long ways away from contending again. it's a shame to see them fall so fast.

Nice little report here from the "See, I told you so" Department.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2006/10/26/cherry-europeans.html


He's famous for speaking off the cuff and going with his gut, but a recent study suggests there may be something more to one of Don Cherry's familiar rants ? namely, that there are too many Europeans in the NHL.

The study, released Thursday by the International Ice Hockey Federation, the sport's worldwide governing body, finds that a large number of European-trained players drafted in the past seven years are not of NHL calibre, hurting the quality of professional hockey on both sides of the Atlantic.

Don Cherry has drawn fire in the past for criticizing some European hockey players.
(CBC) Though he has never undertaken such an exhaustive examination to back his belief, Cherry has been insisting for years that the NHL is overloaded with Europeans.

"My opinions may not be popular," the popular Hockey Night in Canada personality told the Globe and Mail. "They're not politically correct. They say I shouldn't say them. But it's the truth."

Cherry, who has drawn criticism in the past for blasting the "soft" style of play he sees in many Europeans, said his observations are based on years of first-hand experience, especially during his tenure as part owner and general manager of the Ontario Hockey League's Mississauga Ice Dogs.

"You have all these Canadian kids who are working their asses off, just trying to get drafted," Cherry told the Globe and Mail. "And they were passed over for guys that are Europeans. The Canadians were just as good. It boggled by my mind."

Risky contracts

The findings from the IIHF study suggest that NHL teams have too often risked contracts on marginal European prospects who have only a slim chance of developing into useful players in hockey's best league.

Much of the blame for this, the IIHF says, falls on the mistaken belief that Europeans simply need time to learn the North American game in order to realize their potential.

"Let's face it, the hockey we have now is now more European than ever," Cherry said in the Globe article. "You really don't have to come over here any more to get toughened up. Except for the odd game, you're seeing a lot of European hockey being played."

The IIHF suggests that NHL clubs avoid recruiting overseas players until they are ready to play at the highest level. This strategy, says the IIHF, would both strengthen European leagues and provide the NHL with a larger pool of polished players.

In short, everyone in the hockey world would be better off if only the most worthy players received NHL contracts, an idea Cherry said he has always supported.

"Anybody who says I wouldn't want players like [Evgeni] Malkin or [Alex] Ovechkin, they're nuts," Cherry told the Globe and Mail.

"I think Ovechkin is probably the most exciting player in the league. But when I see teams drafting guys who are never going to make it, it just ticks me off."

I think he has a valid point there... The percentage of European players has maybe grown too rapidly with the expence of the quality of hockey out there. Plus it robs European leagues of their better than average/good players, while only a few NA players come here to play.

But I think there's so much bullshit coming from his mouth at the same time that the lone good idea tends to get lost. Whenever I see him on tv, 90% of the stuff he says is just plain stupid. Plus he gives his opinions as facts which is not something I usually appreciate in a person.

Actually, most of the time, his opinons turns out to be facts. Such as this and his statement that visors are worn mostly by Europeans and French guys.....which was proven to be true.

But Europeans wearing visors is not an opinion but a fact. It's just simple numbers. What he stated about people going to NHL from Europe too easily. That, is an opinion, and can't be measured with a simple count.

The visor thing btw, what was the point in him saying that?

Sundin soesn't wear a visor : ok:

philly got another win last night 3-0 against chicago, two goals scored by peter forsberg or foppa as we call him in sweden :yes:

I still don't get how that is a " : ok:"..

and i don't get why you always complain and think you know it all.. you said that it's a fact that europeans wear visors and my  ": ok:" was just a kind correction or something that not all europeans wear 'em

The deal with visors is that it has led to a lack of respect among players.  In the past, everyone went without helmets and cheap hits were far less common.  Sticks rarely got raised, there were no hits from behind, and if you were in a fight and the other guy ended up on the ice, you stopped punching.  Then helmets became a requirement.  Sticks started getting up, hits from behind were coming more often, and head shots were more common.  The guy is protected, so it's alright to be less safe with your stick because they guy is better protected.

And now, it's the panty half shield.  Hey, just what we need!  Even MORE protection so it's alright to get your stick way up in a guy's face!  Next thing you know, in 20 years, everyone will be required to wear a full shield or cage and sticks will be all over the place.

You want to make players respect each other again?  Make shields and helmets completely optional again.  Less protection means more accountability.  And you'll have to have more respect for other players because you don't want to take a stick to the face, or receive a beating for getting your stick up in a guy's mug.  Oh wait, the instigator rule prevents the beatings now :confused:

That's basically Cherry's view on it, and I certainly can't argue with him on it. : ok:

It wasn't a complaint.. Just a question on why you thought it was a good thing that he didn't wear one.. (really didn't know a wink and a thumbs up could've meant something else)


Mal:

I really don't agree with Cherry's view on the issue there, though I do see where he's coming from. I'm not saying it isn't true that players were more careful before, but to treat players like they're complete idiots that need supervision all the time imo is not the right way to go. The players need to understand what the gear is for, and that it doesn't remove a players' responsibility of his equipment (in this case the stick). I'm not denying that covering the players with more gear has made the players act less responsible. But I _do_ think that removing protective gear that might prevent a guy from having a concussion or having his eye sight taken away isn't the answer either. The game is a lot faster, the hits (even clean ones) are harder than 20 years ago, the shots are harder... I believe taking away protective gear at today's hockey would be a mistake.

Is Malkin going to go 6 for 6 tonight?  I never in my wildest of dreams would have thought the Pens would be this good this year.  I don't think we're good/deep enough to make a cup run, but a playoff berth is definitely a possability. 

Crosby and Malkin are just ridiculous.

YES HE DID IT!!!!!  Staal scored too.  Crosby with an assist.  Pens leading after 1.

And Malkin gets the game winner in OT.  2 goals.  Simply unreal.  Crosby assisted on both of them. 

Malkin is the first player since 1918 to score 6 goals in his first 6 games in the league.

There's a record I doubt you'll see broken again anytime soon.

Crosby and Malkin are the next Jagr and Lemieux.  This is just what the Penguins need.  These guys are pretty exciting to watch. 

Who was the player in 1918?

maybe chris chelios? :hihi: :peace:

from wikipedia: In his first 6 games in the NHL, Malkin has 7 goals and 5 assists. Malkin is the first player to score goals in each of his first six games since the league's inaugural season in 1917, when Joe Malone scored in 14 consecutive games to start his Hall of Fame NHL career.

Joe Malone, Cy Denneny, and Newsy Lalonde all did it in 1917-18. ?I'm not sure if they can really compare as it was the inaugural season for the league and they probably had loads of experience with their teams before the league formed.

Not to mention there was no forward passing.

Chris Chelios  :rofl:

have to agree about that, hopefully they will play together throughout their careers, in that case, they will be one of the greatest duos ever :yes:

Whats great is you can see teams just watching crosby with the puck and malkin gets SO wide open to set himself up to take a quality shot.  If you focus on one of them, the other will burn you.  I think its next to impossible to cover them both at the same time.  I love Armstrong on that line too, guy is so gritty and tough.

buffalo loses to toronto and sundin was great, oh yeah :yes: first buffalo loss this season right?

First regulation loss....Leafs look awsome this year...I love it

Leafs looked really impressive last night. They literally took Max out of the game and attacked a defense that had a rookie making his second start that night. Sabres weren't passing well and the Leafs recognized it and put major pressure on them, getting a ton of turnovers int he Buffalo end. And other than that dive that Tucker did, they played a fair game.

I haven't had time to watch lindros in dallas, is he any good? points in what line is he and stuff?

What Leafs team are you watching?

The one thats doing alot better then last year and just beat possible the two best teams in the league being Buffalo and Atlanta

Oh _that_ Leafs...

The penguins have a game again tonight... A bit scared because of the Sharks loss, but then again.. The sharks have been pretty good all year. But the Ducks seem very solid and appear to have no regulation losses this year. I'm hoping that'll change tonight.

Yeah, maybe the two best in the East, but that won't do them any good when the play-offs come (or as the Leafs say, "There's always next year")

I am having fun watching my Flyers here in Philly - does anyone think that they can salvage the season?

Sundin Out Three to Four Weeks

November 8, 2006

TORONTO (CP) -- Just when things were rolling along for the Toronto Maple Leafs they suffered a huge blow.

Superstar captain Mats Sundin will be out three to four weeks with a right elbow injury.

``It's a slight tear of the ligament,'' Leafs GM John Ferguson said Wednesday. ``It happened in the first period (of Monday's game against Philadelphia) and he played the rest of the game. He won the faceoff for the winning goal in the third period. ...

``But he was obviously under some great deal of discomfort after the game.''

Sundin led the Leafs with 19 points (8-11) in 17 games. The 36-year-old centre was especially hot in the last five games, collecting nine points (3-6).

The Maple Leafs are 5-1-0 in their past six games.

Ferguson said it's up to other forwards to step up, much like the defence did in the absence of injured blue-liners Pavel KubinaQuick View, Andrew Wozniewski, Carlo ColaiacovoQuick View and Staffan Kronwall

``Brendan Bell and Ian White along with Hall Gill and Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe especially _ they were not only able to get us through that but really come through for us,'' said Ferguson. ``So this is going to be an opportunity up front. You don't replace Mats, but it is going to be an opportunity for others to demonstrate their abilities to handle more.

``Handle more responsibility, handle more ice time and be difference makers for us.''

Darcy Tucker is next in scoring on Toronto with 16 points (10-6) in 17 games, followed by Kaberle (13 points), and Alexei Ponikarovsky, Kyle Wellwood and Matt Stajan View all at 12 points apiece.

The Leafs are at Boston on Thursday followed by a home game with Montreal on Saturday. Then the Leafs get a bit of break, off until Nov. 16 at Boston.

Sundin missed 12 games early last season after he suffered a fractured lower orbital bone when his left eye was struck by a puck in the season opener.

He came back to score 31 goals and 47 assists in 69 games, his 78 points tops on the club despite missing time.

damn it.. i hope mats recover quickly

Having fun?  :o

I used to think they could salvage it but I don't know what to think about them right now. I think they are better than they have been playing, but for whatever reason it is just not working.

i said it before and i'll say it again, the flyers do not have the personnel to win. they are a bad team.

still, we have two key pieces in place - i think nittimaki has the potential to be a top 3 goalie in the league. and we have forsberg.

a couple smart trades could make us competitive. we have some room under the cap which helps.

Flyers really need to get some speed on D and Offense - it his killing me the way they are playing - too much talent to be this bad.

Im still a noob here, so i dont wanna run my mouth too much ;D, but the LEAFS WILL BE OWNED BY THE SABRES ALL YEAR.  Ya got lucky and caught us on a bad night and won one game.... but the SABS are goin to the cup!!!!



yes, im born n bred hailing from BUFFALO NY!!!

Raycroft is hurt now to with a groin injury I think

And by the way I ment to post this a long time ago when everyone was talking about Don Cherry and all the injuries and the new equipment and Don Cherry said its not the hitting thats hurting people its the new equipment, Go back to the old equipment and there wont be so many head injuruies,etc...So when i was in Fontanes the other day I took a look at some new elbowpads and man oh man...My elbow pads are soft as hell and have gel int hem...These ones which were mens enior were hard and very pointy...Like i mean hard plastic...No wonder why people get hurt when there hit with them...Change the equipment back just like Grapes said

They are playing bad but they shouldn't be *this* bad. Their offensive talent is pretty good but they are getting nothing from them. I'm not sure if any trades will turn things around at this point.

If I remember correctly, all pro leagues have banned hard-capped elbow pads.  However, if it has like a hard cap covered in leather, then apparently it's ok to wear them.

woah what a dissapointment flyers has been this season :no:

LETS GO ISLES! : ok:

^ Nothing screams "Championships!" like Zhitnik and Satan. ::)

and don't forget the biggest underacheiver the nhl has ever seen...Yashin :rofl:

Oh, how could I have forgotten, Neemo. Thank you.

actually the team that has surprised me the most (after philly :hihi:) is the thrashers, and hossa really has a great season now so i guess he'll get injured soon

Somewhere Alex Daigle is weeping.

two big underachievers drafted by the same team.

Florida Panthers centre Joe Nieuwendyk has been forced to retire because of recurring back problems.? Nieuwendyk announced his retirement Wednesday.

Nieuwendyk, 40, in his twentieth NHL season, scored eight points while playing just 15 of the team's first 29 games, because of injuries. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that he visited a back specialist in Cleveland last Friday.

Nieuwendyk had 564 goals and 1126 points in 1257 career games and won Stanley Cups with three different franchises: Calgary (1989), Dallas (1999) and New Jersey (2003).? He won the Conn Smythe Award as playoff MVP in 1999.

''I have the reached the stage where structurally my back isn't going to get any better. It's not the way I intended it, but I have to be realistic as well,'' Nieuwendyk said.

''He was an all-around elite player,'' said Montreal Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey, Nieuwendyk's coach and GM with the Dallas Stars. ''He is the kind of player whose accomplishments merit consideration for the Hall of Fame.''

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By the way I just wanted to say Ovechkin should have been suspended for his hit on Briere

LMAO at daigle, is he still in the league?

The Blues suck

agreed...that was bullshit :( i'm glad breire is ok though

Itll be interesting to see how long Havlat can keep this pace up...hes got 5 points I belive in his first two games back

Jeremy Roenick's decision to walk out on the Phoenix Coyotes Tuesday night could have long term ramifications for his career in Arizona.

Roenick was scratched from Tuesday night's game against Vancouver for what was termed a back injury, despite the fact the veteran forward said he felt healthy enough to play. Rather than remain at the rink, Roenick elected to leave and ended up watching part of the game at a nearby restaurant while eating dinner.

The decision to abandon his teammates did not sit well with head coach Wayne Gretzky.

"I treat players like men and they should act like men," Gretzky tells the Arizona Republic. "JR, all and all, has been pretty positive. But the reality is, last night he made a mistake. There will be ramifications for what happened."

Roenick met with Phoenix Coyotes general manager, Mike Barnett, and head coach Wayne Gretzky on Thursday morning and acknowledged he was wrong in leaving General Motors place on Tuesday night.


 
 
 
Gretzky has already decided Roenick will sit tonight against Columbus with Mike Ricci replacing him in the lineup. Asked when Roenick might be back in the lineup, Gretzky replied: "I'm not sure right now."

Roenick says he respects Gretzky's decision to bench him but feels he did nothing wrong by leaving the arena.

"I was at the game for part of the game and then I went for dinner," Roenick tells the newspaper. "I don't think there is anything wrong with going and having a nice dinner, having a beer and watching the hockey game. I don't know why everybody is trying to create a stir or create a controversy."

Roenick, who signed a one year deal with Phoenix worth $1.2-million this past summer, has just one goal in 28 games and has been scratched from four of the last six games. Even he admits the end of the line is closer than ever.

"End of the (NHL) year, absolutely (I'll retire)," he tells the East Valley Tribune.

"The way it seems to be going right now, I don't think anybody would want to give me another chance to tell you the truth."

"(But) I'm not going to retire in the middle of the year and quit on anybody."
 
Sources say Roenick is prepared to accept his 4th line status with the team and intends to do what he can to help the Coyotes through the remainder of the regular season.

Roenick's always been a selfish prick. Hope the door hits him on the ass as he limps out of the NHL.

some club will give him a contract i'm sure, just like dallas and toronto did with lindros, even though IMO lindros is a better player, but yeah, if he would have wanted to continue playing there would be a contract propisition from some club

Bump. This thread is too quite.

We all disappeared once the Bettmanist regime ushered in the "New NHL."

Is it baseball season yet?

Post-lock-out NHL is way better than before, even if Bettman is a prick.

Ya it really sucks the Leafs are going through all these injury problems right now

You're kidding me, right?  Half-full buildings everywhere, TV ratings in free-fall, passionless players who can't (and won't even try to) stand up for themselves anymore lest the book be thrown at them by the officials.  Yeah, the post-lockout NHL is so much better than it's ever been.  I haven't watched a single game yet this season.

And before you go saying attendance is actually up, so at least more tickets are being bought even if people don't show up, no, not exactly.  The NHL counts attendance as tickets distributed.  In other words, a team doesn't even have to sell a single ticket for a game to be a sellout.  All they have to do is make sure every ticket gets given out in some way.  It's amazing to see the lengths this league will go to in order to bullshit itself.

http://www.hockeyfansunite.com

Oh, sorry, I forgot how fights and bullying are more important than goals. ::)

So you'd rather see a game where the only way you can stand up for yourself is by giving a spear to a guy's nuts?  Well, then again, that would make Danny Briere into the league's most feared power forward.

The game was fine as recently as 10 or 15 years ago.  Why all the radical changes that have made it unwatchable?  Do you really think that "fights and bullying" were that much of a problem that we now have to be subjected to watching a 60-minute power play?  Fact is people like the fights.  They like checking and physical play.  You want high scoring end-to-end action where no one can hit each other?  Go watch European hockey.  Or maybe even a basketball game, since that's the only sport Bettman knows a damn thing about.

I'd rather sit and watch a tight-checking, hard hitting 2-1 game than some 8-6 monstrosity with 80 minutes in penalties, all from pointlessly-called minors for interference when a defenseman is just trying to clear the crease, or hooking when all a guy does is lift his stick and wave it near someone.

All that needs to be done to counter any argument about how much "better" the game has gotten is to point out attendance and TV ratings.  The only people who seem to like the game as it is now are the ones who all think the NHL All-Star Game is the epitome of good hockey, or that if only the NHL completely eliminated that pointless fighting, we would have hockey as good as what we see in the Olympics.  AKA, the clueless.

I actually saw a couple guys deliver some shoves a week or so ago (Mair and Komisarek, to be exact).  They looked at each other... and exchanged apologies.  Are you kidding me?  What the hell happened to the game?

What used to make this game great was that the star players could put up some great numbers and play well in a tough environment.  And now, the environment is catering to them instead of them having to suck it up and play through it.

But hey, what the hell do I know?  Apparently I'm just a bloodthirsty fight fan who only likes "fights and bullying."  Get a clue.  And here's some more reading material while we're at it.

http://thefourthperiod.com/columnists/wyshynski.html

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12242006/sports/give_us_back_our_old_game_sports_larry_brooks.htm

http://www.startribune.com/1330/story/864211.html

Well, fine that's your opinon and the opinon of some others, but I like it more now than ever before in my lifetime so dont shit on it for those of us that still love watching hockey.

"Fighting isn't violence in hockey. It might be in bowling or tennis, but not hockey"

I can't recall who said this, Bill Barber, I believe.

It was Gary Cheevers; Cheesie.....not Babrber.

And that's the problem, it's not hockey anymore.  I don't know what this is, but it sure ain't the hockey I once knew.

couldnt agree more

Bettmen ruined the league

i used to be able to watch any team play, now i cant even make it through a single game

A clip for those that say the Sabres don't have any guts to fight. Afinogenov throws Williams around a little a few nights ago.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0g52-kW5GWc

hockey's problems have nothing to do with the lack of fighting. nothing at all.

That contributes to the problems, but the problems are much bigger than just the instigator rule.

As an aside, am I the only one disgusted by the fact that a cross-check by Colton Orr gets 5 games just because it's on Ovechkin, but a total sucker punch by Brashear on a nobody only gets one game?  Fuck you, "Colon Cowboy" Campbell.

Great Leafs game tonight against Boston....5-1 Leafs rigth now with 6 minutes left in the 3rd....I dont know whythey cant playlike this more consistently...All 4 lines firing,everyone contributing,would be one of the best teams in theleague if they could be more consistent...Gotta love Tucker to....got thrown intop the boards in the corner 3 times and just keeps going back

The Ottawa Senators have acquired forward Mike Comrie from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for center Alexei Kaigorodov.

Comrie has seven goals and 13 assists in 24 games this season. He missed 14 games earlier this season with a fractured right foot. Since returning, he has recorded nine points in his last 11 games.

The 26-year-old Comrie is earning $3 million US this season and will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Kaigorodov, a second round pick of the Senators in 2002, was signed to a two year deal back in September and appeared in just six games for Ottawa this season, collecting one assist. He was suspended in November for refusing an assignment to Binghampton of the AHL.

The trade comes a day after the Senators lost forward Petr Nedved to the Edmonton Oilers on waivers. With top two centres Jason Spezza and Mike Fisher out with knee injuries, Senators GM John Muckler has been working the phones over the past few days trying to find some help.

the yzerman retirement ceremony was awesome last night....what a great send off to one of the greatest players ever....and still didnt want to take credit for how awesome he was....thanked all the fans for making him a great player and the redwings a great team...classy till the end

cheers to Stevy-Y? :beer: , he led the wings from chumps to 3-time champs and now has his number in the rafters with Terry Sawchuck,Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Sid Abel and Ted Lidsay...that is some awesome company...

(http://i10.tinypic.com/2ceji54.jpg)
(http://i12.tinypic.com/2air695.jpg)
(http://i12.tinypic.com/2s6o7s6.jpg)

if not for lemieux and gretzky he woulda been #1...not bad to be behind those 2 for 3rd greatest player of an era. and one of the few franchise players left...23 years with one team, that is insane in this day and age

just Modano and Sakic left of those days i think  :'(

Ya congrats to Steve...

How bout Phoniex lately eh?Tearing it up...I knew it could only be a matter of time, they have a pretty decent team that will continue tom get better I belive and there goaltending has been the reason there where they are

Sean Burke is back in the NHL. Wow.

anybody else find the skilss competition broing last night?

i dunno its not as exciting as it used to be for me :-\

I agree it was pretty boring, same as the Youngstars game, no effort,seemed very blah....hopefully the actual game is more exciting

Wow, four days with no real hockey.

And I gotta say, despite being a once die hard fan, I really didn't miss it.  This league needs to get its shit together, and fast.

Flames acquire Conroy from Kings

Craig Conroy is heading back to Calgary.

The Flames acquired Conroy from the Los Angeles Kings on Monday in exchange for Jamie Lundmark, a fourth-round draft choice in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and a second-round draft choice in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Conroy returns to Calgary where he played in four seasons between 2001 and 2004. He was a member of the Flames' Western Conference championship team during the 2003-04 season and captained the club during the 2002-03 campaign. In 237 regular season games with the Flames he recorded 188 points with 60 goals and 128 assists. During the 03-04 playoffs he added another 17 points including 6 goals in 26 games.

"I don't think it was any secret that Calgary was interested but it was really about timing and finding a fit," said Kings GM Dean Lombardi. "There was certainly interest from other teams but I think this was the best deal for us.

5 Shutouts in the NHL last night....And nice to see the Leafs riding a 4 game win streak with a huge win over Ottawa last night

The Los Angeles Kings have traded centre Sean Avery and prospect John Seymour to the New York Rangers for right winger Jason Ward along with prospects Marc-Andre Cliche and Jan Marek.

How ridiculous are the penguins right now?  Have they lost a game in 2007??  Of course I get the NHL center ice package LAST year when they sucked ass and this year decided to save some money - what a dumb move that was.  I'm missing some great games.  Thank god for youtube.

I don't know who is going to get rookie of the year, Malkin or Staal.  Staal is playing so well right now, first NHL career hat trick tonight.  Pens take down the Leafs in OT.

Gaustad is a big loss for the Sabres. Paille and Stafford better mature quickly.

Yes....hard to believe, but the Pens are on fire again.  It's been a long time coming, but I'm so glad to see that it's here, and even better - without the looming shadow of Lemieux.   I've been in the habit of NOT watching for so long, that I keep missing more games than I want to...

The Hurricanes have acquired centre Josef Vasicek from the Nashville Predators in exchange for centre Eric Belanger.

The Nashville Predators picked up the veteran defenceman they were seeking Saturday when they sent centre Eric Belanger to the Atlanta Thrashers for defenceman Vitaly Vishnevski. The trade was the second in two days for Belanger, who was acquired by Nashville from the Carolina Hurricanes for centre Josef Vasicek.

The Calgary Flames have nabbed the most coveted defenceman on the market more than two weeks before the NHL trade deadline. The Boston Bruins traded defenceman Brad Stuart, forward Wayne Primeau and a conditional draft pick to the Flames on Saturday for defenceman Andrew Ference and forward Chuck Kobasew. The Flames expect both Stuart and Primeau to be in the lineup on Sunday when Calgary ends a three-game road trip in Detroit.It's the second big deal made by Flames GM Darryl Sutter in the past two weeks. Calgary acquired centre Craig Conroy from Los Angeles on Jan. 29.

what a joke the bruins have become

they gave away thorton....now 2 of the 3 guys they got for him are

Andrew Ference and Chuck Kobasew ::) the GM should be hung by his toenails on the back of a zamboni :hihi:

Spacek is out indefinitely with a broken hand... Bummer!!  :-\

Ladislav Nagy is a member of the Dallas Stars. Dallas acquired the forward from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for winger Mathias Tjarnqvist and a first-round draft pick.

Yea, but they can just move Paestch back to defense (he was playing forward temporarily). Spacek's a fine player, but Paestch is a very good young player.

Of course..But Paestch was so killin it as a forward.... I think he coulda brought alot to the table there... but its good he can do both!

Although if Connely makes it back in time for the Playoffs :headbanger:

They don't have to cap room for Connolly to return unless they make a move at the deadline.

Do you think if Connely is ready to go they wont play him??

I think Darcy will be pretty much forced to squeeze him in....

Oh, if Connolly is coming back, they'll move someone. Last year, Connolly was a huge catalyst for guys like Max and especially Kotalik. His playmaking is very valuable. I just don't know who'll have to be moved, or if there's some complex cap stuff they can work out.

IMO This is one of the few bad moves Darcy has made... There was no reason to sign him to that kind of money, when he wouldnt be playing for the season...

Doan agrees to five-year deal with Coyotes

Sources tell TSN that Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan has agreed to a five-year deal for a total of almost $23 million to remain with the organization.

Doan's agent JP Barry met with Phoenix management in Florida earlier this week and the negotiation continued through last night en-route to striking the deal.

The contract hasn't been signed and there are some "house keeping" issues to be resolved, but the key components, the term, the dollars and a highly coveted no-movement clause have been agreed to.

Doan, originally drafted 7th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1995 Entry Draft remains the only active player on the Coyotes roster who transferred to Phoenix when the franchise relocated in 1996.

Connolly isn't getting huge money, and he's a great player they thought could be back in January. They were wrong, but I'm glad he's still here.

As for Doan, well without Nagy around they can pay Doan any amount of money to stay for the rest of his career.

i went to the devils-canadiens game last night in the meadowlands. good game...there was an incredible fight AND a penalty shot. devils look good and could win it all this year.

that's a decent arena they play in. but i'm looking forward to checking out the new one in newark next season.

and the arena was empty. there was a couple thousand people there. you could literally sit in any section you wanted.

I really have been avoiding posting here... Usually when I post here, the next game the Penguins lose.

I'm defying destiny here, but here goes.

It's been amazing last 15 games for 'us' (I also don't like to use that term since I really have nothing to do with them winning). Despite Crosby not scoring in the last 8 or 9 games, the Pens are 13-0-2 in the 15 game run and 9-0-1 in their last 10. Clearly the hottest team in the league at the moment. And for now pretty securely going to the playoffs. Though it is so close in the east that they could easily drop, I don't see that in the cards if they stay healthy and keep playing like that. One thing that I am a bit worried about is the way 2 or sometimes 3 goal leads are blown a bit too easily. Till now the wins have kept on coming, but there's gonna be that day when you won't get that second chance and hope that you would've held on to that lead.

The next game is away at New Jersey (first of the 4 times "we"'ll be playing them within a month if I'm not mistaken) and that should say a lot about the current condition (like the 13-02 streak isn't saying enough).

Forsberg headed to Predators

Sources tell TSN the Nashville Predators have agreed to trade Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent, a first round pick and a third round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for Peter Forsberg.

It is important to note that while the two teams may have agreed on the players involved, the deal is not official until it is approved by the league via a trade call involving both teams and NHL Central Registry. Sources say that call has not been completed, so it is premature to say that the deal has been finalized, only that it has been tentatively agreed to by both teams and it is expected.

Forsberg was on the ice for warm-ups for Thursday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he was scratched from the lineup.

In 40 games with the Flyers this season Forsberg has 11 goals and 29 assists.  He is also leads the Flyers with a +2 plus/minus rating.

Forsberg has missed 16 games with a variety of injuries this season including a concussion, an injured groin and a sore back.

Details to follow.

Sakic scores 600th as Avs top Flames
(http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20070216/sakic_1880.jpg)

It wasn't the prettiest goal Joe Sakic has ever scored, but it was more than enough to put him into some very select company.

Sakic scored twice, including his 600th career goal into an empty net, and added three assists to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 7-5 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.

Sakic became the 17th player in NHL history to record the 600-goal plateau. He joins Brendan Shanahan and Jaromir Jagr, who both achieved the milestone earlier this year with the New York Rangers.

''The opportunity was there and it's not something that you'd write up, but I'll take it any way I can,'' Sakic said. ''The most important thing is getting the win.

Report: Coyotes, Tellqvist reach deal
(http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20061223/yotes_85295.jpg)
After reaching agreements with Shane Doan and Mike Zigomanis earlier in the week, the Phoenix Coyotes have locked up goaltender Mikael Tellqvist.

According to the Arizona Republic the Coyotes and Tellqvist have agreed to a two-year deal that will pay the 27-year old Swede $800,000 per season.

Tellqvist has posted a 9-7-2 record with a 3.29 goals-against average in 18 games since coming to Phoenix in a trade with Toronto on Nov. 28.

Forsberg makes Nashville the Cup favorite imo. If they stay healthy they'll be insanely hard to beat.

So nice to be able to watch a penguins game again - i feel like its been forever since one has been on TV.  Watching them play the Devils now, up 3-0 a few minutes into the 2nd period.   Are the pens going to be 1st in the east come playoff time???  They are certainly playing like a first place team.

And how great (yet strange) it is to see that.  They barely held on last night, but it was an impressive victory overall.  I keep having to remind myself that - after years of not caring enough to watch - I should be paying attention to the schedule again.  They most certainly seem playoff-bound...

Oilers trade Bergeron to the Islanders

The Edmonton Oilers have made a move, but it's not one that will help with the playoff push this season.

The Oilers swapped defencemen with the New York Islanders on Sunday, sending Marc-Andre Bergeron to Long Island for Denis Grebeshkov.

Grebeshkov was a first-round draft pick in 2002 and has played 33 NHL games, but is spending this season with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in the Russian league.

The 23-year-old is expected to remain in Russia this season. He'll be a restricted free agent this summer.

 Brendan Shanahan was hospitalized Saturday after a hard collision with Philadelphia's Mike Knuble that left the New York Rangers forward unconscious on his back for several minutes. Shanahan was expected to be OK but spent the night in St. Vincent�s Hospital for observation following the violent head-to-head collision. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist also left Saturday�s game with a shoulder injury but might be available today. -

PITTSBURGH (AP) ? Alexander Ovechkin didn't do much offensively, a commonplace event lately. Instead, it was the runner-up Russian who created a goal out of nothing, keeping the Pittsburgh Penguins' most successful stretch in 14 years going.
Evgeni Malkin scored a bad-angle goal to give Pittsburgh the lead in another tightly played game against Washington and the streaking Penguins won their sixth in a row, beating the Capitals 3-2 Sunday.

GAME REPORT: Penguins 3, Capitals 2

The Penguins have gained at least a point in 16 consecutive games, going 14-0-2 ? their longest run since they won a league-record 17 in a row and tied one to end the 1992-93 season. The surprise is that NHL scoring leader Sidney Crosby, who has 91 points, is slumping with only one goal in 10 games.

Malkin has keyed the Penguins' first playoff run since 2001 with 10 goals and 16 assists in 17 games. His teammates are convinced that Malkin, the No. 2 pick in the 2004 NHL draft to Ovechkin, is more than a little motivated any time he goes against his Russian rival. It was the first and only time two Russians were picked 1-2.

"They're very competitive, good hockey players and good friends so there's definitely a little bit of something with him," Mark Recchi said.

Of Malkin's 29 goals as a rookie, perhaps none was more creative than his score late in the second period. With the score tied at 1, Malkin carried the puck out from behind the Capitals' net and fed it up the right wing boards to Sergei Gonchar ? at this time a year ago, Malkin's Russian Olympic teammate.

Malkin took Gonchar's giveback pass and, from along the goal line, one-timed a perfectly placed left-handed shot inside the far post, almost before Washington backup goalie Brent Johnson could react.

The goal reminded Recchi of some of those scored by a former Penguins teammate named Mario Lemieux.

"With his size and his hands, Geno looks like him," Recchi said. "Mario was one of those guys who can score from that angle, and only a few guys can. A lot of guys don't even try that."

Malkin, speaking through interpreter George Firman, called it a "lucky goal." But he acknowledged having a little something extra any time he goes against Ovechkin, who was leading the NHL in goals before being held to one goal and one assist in his last seven games.

"Yeah, of course, I'm enjoy playing against him especially when we win the games ? and he's getting pretty mad," Malkin said.

After the Penguins similarly frustrated Ovechkin in a 2-0 win in Pittsburgh on Feb. 3, Ovechkin broke his stick in anger while going to the locker room.

Until Washington's Alexander Semin scored in the final minute, not long after missing a penalty shot, this game resembled that earlier game with more tight checking and hitting than goal scoring by teams that have five of the NHL's top six scorers who are 22 or younger.

"When Ovechkin gets only one goal in seven games, it's tough to win," Capitals coach Glen Hanlon said after his team outshot Pittsburgh 31-25. "Don't mistake that ? it's not his fault we're not winning. But if you're asking where the offense has gone, he's a big part of that."

The Capitals have lost three in a row and nine of 12, scoring two or fewer goals in all but three of those 12. Penguins backup goalie Jocelyn Thibault beat them Sunday in his first start since Jan. 27, turning aside 29 shots for his third victory this season.

Recchi and Maxime Talbot added goals for the Penguins, and Richard Zednik also scored for the Capitals. Recchi got his 20th goal, giving him 15 seasons with 20 or more goals.

Talbot made it 3-1 about a minute into the third period with his third goal in four games, immediately after Washington's Donald Brashear pulled down Erik Christensen for what would have been a penalty if Talbot hadn't scored.

Semin could have tightened the game by scoring on his penalty shot with about 6 minutes remaining, but his shot hit the crossbar after Thibault tried pushing the puck off his stick as Semin went to his backhand.

"It was a great feeling to not let that score in," Thibault said. "I don't know if I disrupted him or not, but he didn't score."
 

Malkin's goal just simply amazing.

Tonight it's the Islanders' turn to try and stop the winning streak.

Pens have two glaring holes that to me, will hurt them down the stretch.  First off, the team needs something, someone, to deter opponents from taking liberties with Crosby and Malkin (this is especially true for next season when the league finally changes the instigator rule).  The second is a stronger defense.  Sadly, the team's leading shot blocker is Sergei Gonchar, and he's more like a 4th forward than he is a defenseman.

I'd love to see a deadline deal similar to March 4, 1991-- the Ron Francis trade-- that started the march forth (haha, get it?) to the 1991 Cup.  But this time, let's see Laraque and Boynton brought in from Phoenix for some prospects and/or draft picks.

A good game for Pittsburgh's offence, but a terrible day for Fleury and the defence.

Kotalik out 4-6 weeks and Mike Ryan called up. Goodbye first place. :crying:

Sigh.  All good things must come to an end...hopefully, not for long, though.    :beer:

Oh you're killin me commie  :hihi:

These Rochester guys are holdin their own.. Plus w/ Peters scoring impressive goals, we have a chance!!  :rofl:

Calm down. They all looked good against the Flyers. Have to see how they hold up to Ottawa.

The Flyers yes.. But they're still better than any AHL team... And the Flyers are a very hard hitting team....They held up well

Daniel Paille of the Buffalo Sabres broke his finger and will miss several weeks. Another call-up from Rochestor will be necessary.

When it rains it pours? :'(

Who saw that Buffalo V Ottowa brawl  :hihi:

Classic!!!  : ok:

To anyone who can say that Drury hit was clean, needs to be hit like that... They'd chancge their mind in a second!!

Yea, that reffing sucked. In the OT Vanek is hauled down, Briere knocked down, and yet they call the stick poke on Alfredsson instead. Hopefully Drury is good to go soon.

And we're back on track.

It was close as always, but I really like that the Pens have been getting goals from the 2nd and 3rd (and even the fourth) line this year instead of just the first one.

Missed the game cause I was watching my struggling Leafs....Wasnt a good fight by any means like some of the classics but was definetly cool to see its been a while....Should be a good one saturday when they play again

Anson Carter is on the move again.

The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired the 32-year-old winger from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth round draft pick in 2008.

Carter has 10 goals and 17 assists in 53 games with the Blue Jackets this season.  Carter scored a career-high 33 goals with the Vancouver Canucks last season.  In 663 career games with the Blue Jackets, Canucks, Kings, Capitals, Rangers, Oilers and Bruins, Carter has totals of 201 goals and 219 assists.

''Anson is a veteran NHL player who has had some good goal-scoring years in his career,'' Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement. ''He will help strengthen our forward corps at a much needed time.''

that peters or peterson whatever his name is is an asshole for sticking his nose in there...he should get something for 3rd man in...the goalies had a fair fight IMO he had no buisiness in there

Yeah but Neil did nothing wrong, blind siding someone from behind, right?  ::)

If Ottawa had a problem they could pulled Peters off of Emery

didnt see the neil thing all i saw was highlights....there is big time repercusions for being 3rd man in a fight so why would they jump in?

besides the goalie fight looked far any away from the rest of the action :-\

Peters should be suspended like 3 games, Emery should be for one because if you watch he's clearly baiting Biron, he started that fight just because he wanted to fight. Neil should be gunned at for the rest of his career.

Blues re-sign Brewer and Legace

Remove Eric Brewer's name from the list of trade candidates for deadline day.

Sources tell TSN the St. Louis Blues and their star defenceman have agreed to a four-year contract.

Brewer, 27, was acquired as part of the Chris Pronger trade two summers ago and has 18 points in 61 games with the Blues this year.

It's also believed the Blues have re-signed goaltender Manny Legace to a two-year contract.

An announcement on both players is expected this afternoon.

The goalie fight was long over... Its not like Peters mugged Emery.. Emery is just as guilty... He could have backed away from Peters...

Why would they jump in?? Because its their goaile mabye  ???

Neemo's got a point there. The only part of the fight the Sabres put on was Peters going after Emery. It was goalie vs. goalie, the way it should be. I'd suspend them both anyway, but Peters should've stayed out of it.

Right... Should have but didnt... With Emery skating around the way he was, it was gonna happen either way....

Nothing as far as suspensions yet??

EDIT: Just saw this...
 :rant:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2777923&campaign=rss&source=NHLHeadlines

Typical NHL and their worthless Canadien bias  ::)

Lindy Ruff's decision to match his tough guys against Ottawa's top line prior to Thursday's brawl between the Sabres and the Senators will cost the Buffalo coach US$10,000.

The NHL fined the coach Saturday after Colin Campbell, the league's director of hockey operations, met separately with Ruff, Sabres GM Darcy Regier, Senators coach Bryan Murray and GM John Muckler.

Campbell did not issue any suspensions.

Angered by Chris Neil's elbow to Sabres forward Chris Drury, Ruff sent out tough guys Andrew Peters, Patrick Kaleta and Adam Mair to take a faceoff against Ottawa's Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza and Mike Comrie.

Afterward, Ruff admitted to telling his players to: "Go out and run 'em."

Bruins claim goalie MacDonald off waivers

The Boston Bruins added some goaltending depth on Saturday, claiming Joey MacDonald off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings. The move will create about $117,000 in salary cap room for the Wings, who are reportedly trying to land a top-six forward by Tuesday's 3pm et trade deadline. MacDonald is 1-5-1 this season with a 3.46 goals-against average and .872 save percentage.

Bruins sign Sturm to a four-year deal

Marco Sturm took his name off the trade market Saturday, signing a new deal that will keep him with the Boston Bruins.
Sturm will make an average of $3.5 million a season in his new deal after signing a $14-million, four-year contract. He would have been an unrestricted free agent July 1 and was garnering lots of interest on the trade market ahead of Tuesday's 3 p.m. ET deadline. Sturm, 28, had 20 goals and 11 assists in 54 games before Saturday's matchup at Florida.

Stars claim Baumgartner off waivers

The Dallas Stars claimed defenceman Nolan Baumgartner off re-entry waivers on Saturday from the Philadelphia Flyers.
Baumgartner, 30, has been with the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms since Oct. 18, when he, Petr Nedved and Niko Dimitrakos were waived after a 9-1 loss in Buffalo the night before.The 6-foot-2, 205-pound defenceman was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Flyers last summer after a season and a half with the Vancouver Canucks. In 124 career games, he has six goals, 43 points and 67 penalty minutes.

The Atlanta Thrashers have made a move to bolster their blueline for a playoff run, acquiring veteran Alexei Zhitnik from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for top defence prospect Braydon Coburn.

Zhitnik, 34, was acquired earlier this season from the New York Islanders, in exchange for Freddy Meyer, and has 23 points and a minus-4 rating in 60 games with the Islanders and Flyers in 2006-2007. In 1001 career NHL games, Zhitnik has recorded 448 points and 1194 penalty minutes.  The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder has a heavy shot from the point and can play a physical game. Zhitnik also has NHL playoff experience, with 94 career postseason games, though he hasn't participated in the playoffs since 2000-2001 when he was with the Buffalo Sabres. Coburn, 21, was the 8th overall pick in the 2003 draft and the 6-foot-5, 220-pound blueliner has four points and is plus-1 in 29 games with the Thrashers this season.

Atlanta is commited to this year, it seems.

The Anaheim Ducks have traded defenceman Shane O'Brien and a third round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning for minor-league goaltender Gerald Coleman and a first round pick.

The deal gives the Ducks a first round pick that could be used to add an asset before Tuesday's trade deadline. Last summer, the Ducks traded their first round pick to the Edmonton Oilers to acquire defenceman Chris Pronger. This season, O'Brien has scored two goals and added 12 assists while amassing 140 minutes in penalties. The Port Hope, Ontario native was drafted in the eighth round of the 2003 Enty Draft and re-signed as a restricted free agent last summer.
Coleman was drafted in the seventh round of the 2003 Entry Draft and has yet to appear in an NHL game.

The Sens' actions in that brawl were pathetic, but at the same time, the Sabres management and some of their fans are just as bad.

These are the same fans who just loved Campbell laying out Umberger.  Then a similar hit (it was a blindside, but he was hit from the side) and they go foaming at the mouth.  Sic semper tyrannus.

Second, Biron started the goalie fight more than Emery.  Who came down to whose end of the ice?  Biron came out first and then Emery came.  Let's not go all revisionist on this one.

As for not jumping in, it doesn't matter.  Emery is your starting goalie, someone needs to get in, fighter or not.  Spezza and Heatley showed they're real great team guys.  Yeah, let your goalie get mugged because you'd rather stay in the game.  What happened to balls in this league?  What happened to standing up for your teammates?  There's a 10-game suspension for leaving the bench to get into a fight, and when your goalie is getting attacked by a top-quality fighter, that's a time where I'd say it's acceptable to take a 10-gamer.  When your goalie is fighting a player, you take the penalty, you take the suspension, you just don't let the guy fight him no matter what.

The fine on Ruff is bullshit.  Why is the league allowed to tell a coach who he can and can't play, and when he can and can't play them?  Glad to see there were no suspensions though.  There shouldn't be any for anyone involved.

By the way, all of the last seven goalie vs. player fights have involved a Sabres player.  Just an interesting tidbit of info.

I agree the fine on Ruff was absolute bullshit...and I knew the 2nd game between the two would go the way it did with the two heavyweights from each team going after each other....I was unaware that Mair brought up the Snyder incident to Heatley in the 1st game, thats disgusting

Are you serious?? Umburger was in control of the puck with his head down.. Nothing dirty about that for a second.. But Drury got rid of the puck, with his side to Neil, and a head shot.... Ridicilous how you can compare that by any means.. Connley got taken out in the playoffs last year.. Not 1 buffalo fan started foaming at the mouth... You know why... It was clean!!! We had a reason to be pissed last Thursday tho...



I've still heard nothing of this  ??? If true, yes thats bad taste on Mairs part, totally uncalled for  :no:

Even though I cant stand Heatly...

Yea, the Umberger hit is not anything like the Drury hit.

Canadiens trade Rivet to Sharks

Craig Rivet who was the Montreal Canadiens' longest-serving player, is now a San Jose Shark. In a move that general manager Bob Gainey said will boost both teams for the playoffs, the 32-year-old Rivet was dealt to the Sharks on Sunday for 22-year-old Josh Gorges in a swap of defencemen.Rivet, who was about to return from a bout of pneumonia, had spent is entire 12-year NHL career in Montreal but had an inkling that he would be moved. He is to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Canadiens will also receive a first-round draft pick in 2007 while the Sharks get a fifth-rounder in 2008. It may appear a stiff price for Rivet, but the Sharks already held New Jersey's first-round pick for 2007 from a previous deal. "We acquired that pick for this purpose," said Sharks GM Doug Wilson. "I would rather get exactly what we want and pay a price than to have to chase your tail and get something that maybe doesn't fit as well."
Gainey said San Jose wanted an experienced defenceman who is a right-handed shot.Montreal wanted a fit, young defenceman who could step into the lineup right way and help with their playoff push. The Canadiens sit ninth in the East, one spot out of playoff position."We are still a team that isn't a selling team," Gainey said. "We want to make the playoffs and we're in position to make the playoffs."? ?Gorges is to arrive in Montreal on Monday but will not play before a game Tuesday night against the Rangers in New York.

Report: Leafs, Tucker reach multi-year deal

According to the Toronto Star, the Toronto Maple Leafs have tentatively agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with Darcy Tucker. Tucker will earn an average of US$3-million per season for at least three years, reports the newspaper. A possible fourth year, structured around a no-trade clause, would allow the Leafs to get out from under cap implications if neccessary. Tucker had 19 goals in 39 games for the Maple Leafs this season before injuring his foot on January 1. Tucker has scored at least 20 goals four times in his career, and had 19 in 39 games before getting sidelined by a foot injury in late December.

The only reason the Campbell and Drury hits are different is because one was by a Sabre and one was to a Sabre.

The rules state that a player can be hit if he was the last to touch the puck.  Drury was last to touch it, so it's open season on him, especially if he wants to just coast along and admire his pass.

And Heatley is a douche, but not deserving of any Snyder comments.

As expected, Fredrik Modin has agreed to terms on a new long-term contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Modin and the NHL team finished the final few details Monday morning on a deal that will pay him an average of $3.25 million in each of the next three years.? Modin was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Blue Jackets acquired Modin and goalie Fredrik Norrena from Tampa Bay last summer for netminder Marc Denis. Modin, 32, has 15 goals and 15 assists this season. The Swede has 198 goals and 149 assists in 722 career games

The following players have been placed on waivers by their respective teams: Michael Leighton - Flyers, Denis Hamel - Thrashers, Jason Krog - Rangers, Niko Kapanen - Thrashers, Marc Chouinard - Canucks, Aaron Downey - Canadiens, Brian Boucher - Blackhawks, Bryan Berard - Blue Jackets, Petr Cajanek - Blues

Panthers have trade in place for Roberts?

It is Decision Day for Gary Roberts. The Florida Panther forward was told by General Manager Jacques Martin this morning after practice that the club had found a trade it deemed acceptable and all that is required to consummate the transaction is Roberts' waiving of his no-trade clause. But that may be easier said than done. Roberts had made it abundantly clear that he would only waive his no-trade clause for two teams - the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. And sources suggest the deal the Panthers have worked out with Roberts is with the Pittsburgh Penguins. While sources suggest Roberts is still intent on playing in only Toronto or Ottawa, he apparently is going to take some time to consider the Panthers' wishes. But that should not necessarily be confused with waiving the no-trade clause to go to Pittsburgh or anywhere else other than Toronto or Ottawa. Roberts did not accompany the Panthers' on their flight this afternoon to Washington, but is expected to let the Panthers know later today whether he will waive the no-trade clause to go to Pittsburgh. While Ottawa and Toronto have shown some interest in acquiring Roberts, Pittsburgh has shown the most interest. Sources say the Penguins are prepared to give up a young roster player with potential in exchange for Roberts, who is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

Stay tuned.

 ::)

So if someone clears the zone and ices the puck its ok to smash them from behind until the whistle blows??

Silly huh?? Exactly!!

The hit on Umberger was different because Campbell's hit on Umberger was used to get control of the puck, and stop their rush out of the zone. The Drury hit was just to hurt a star player.

Islanders acquire Zednik from Capitals

The New York Islanders have acquired winger Richard Zednik from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2007.Zednik will be an unrestricted free agent July 1 and was unable to come to terms on an extension with the Capitals.The 31-year-old Slovak had 18 points (6-12) in 32 games with the Caps, missing half the season through injury.

The Ottawa Senators have made a minor move to bolster their blue line leading up to Tuesday's trade deadline by acquiring defenceman Lawrence Nicholat from the Washington Capitals in exchange for minor-league defenceman Andy Hedlund and a sixth-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

In 18 games with the Capitals this season, Nycholat has registered two goals, six assists and averaged 20:31 of ice time per game. Nycholat was an integral member of the Bears run to the Calder Cup championship last season, as he netted 13 goals and 44 assists in 73 regular-season games. A 5'11?, 200-pound native of Calgary, Alberta, Nycholat made his NHL debut in 2003-04, playing nine games with the New York Rangers.

Hey, just saw my first pro hockey game yesterday. It was great. Stars tied  the score with 28 seconds  to go, and then won in overtime with about 35 seconds  left. I had a really good time. Hockey is great.
But beers are $7 and nachos $8.50. Ouch.
sorry for the diversion.....

Canucks add Sopel and Smolinski

The Vancouver Canucks jumped the deadline in acquiring former Canuck Brent Sopel from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2nd and 4th round draft pick.In addition Vancouver added veteran centre Bryan Smolinski from the Chicago Blackhawks for a conditional 2nd round pick.The Canucks, considered a cap team were, able to manouver these trades by finally placing injured forward Ryan Kesler on long term injury.Sopel has four goals, 19 assists and is a plus-2 over his 44 games this season. He was drafted by Vancouver in the sixth round of the 1995 entry draft and he was sent to the New York Islanders in 2005 for a conditional draft pick in the 2006 entry draft. Smolinski has played in 62 games this season and scored 14 goals with 23 assists and is a plus-10. He will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Hawks, Wings, Flyers cut deal

The Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings have come together prior to the trade deadline.
he Blackhawks sent a 3rd round pick and defenseman Lasse Kukkonen to the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Kyle Calder. Chicago then moved Calder to the Red Wings in return for forward Jason Williams.Blackhawks' general manager Dale Tallon explained that the club was excited to get Williams, ?we've been trying to acquire Jason Williams since last summer.??He is a quality individual who can add to our team offensively and can also play the point on the power play. We feel with his speed and skill he is another piece of the puzzle as we continue to move forward in making our team better,? said Tallon.

EDIT: I'm a little slow  ;D

Already got it a few posts up

i think its pretty cool that Detroit got Calder....but williams was good too :-\

word is martin biron has been traded from buffalo....no word where...specualtion on TSN says the habs

he went to the flyers

and buffalo got Ty Conklin from the Blue Jackets to fill the empty backup goalie spot

Yep

The Buffalo Sabres shuffled the deck in goal on Tuesday, trading netminder Martin Biron to the Philadelphia Flyers for an undisclosed draft pick and acquiring netminder Ty Conklin from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

laraque has waived his no trage clause....supposed to go to pens as well

Forward Georges Laraque has waived his no-trade clause with the Phoenix Coyotes for the purpose of being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward Daniel Carcillo and a third-round draft pick.

Laraque, 30, has cemented his role as an enforcer in his nine-year NHL career with 878 penalty minutes in 546 games. He is under contract for US $1.1 million this season and $1.3 million next year after signing a two-year contract last summer. The trade reunites Laraque with head coach Michel Therrien, as the two worked briefly together with Granby in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Bill Guerin has been plucked off the available list as the St. Louis Blues have dealt the veteran forward to the San Jose Sharks.

The Sharks have reportedly given up their first-round pick in 2007 acquired from New Jersey and a non-roster player to be named later.? More to follow.
Guerin signed a one-year contract with St. Louis last summer and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in July.

bertuzzi has been sent to the redwings pending a physical fora draft pick :o i hope he can play like he used to....and i hope hes healthy enough to play :-\

Wild acquire forward Moore from Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded forward Dominic Moore to the Minnesota Wild for a third-round pick in the draft.
Moore, 26, has played in 59 games for the Pittsburgh this season, recording six goals and 15 points.A penalty-killing specialist, he has 15 goals and 21 assists in 146 career games with the Penguins and New York Rangers.

Rangers ship defenceman Ward to Boston

The Boston Bruins have acquired defenceman Aaron Ward from the New York Rangers for a player to be named.
Ward signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Rangers last July.The 6-foot-2, 225-pound defenceman was a key contributor during the Carolina Hurricanes' run to the championship last season.In 60 games this season, Ward has three goals and 13 points.In 71 regular-season games last season, the 34-year-old had career highs with six goals and 25 points. He led Hurricanes defencemen in goals and was 13th in the NHL with 164 blocked shots.


Red Wings have deal in place for Bertuzzi

Bertuzzi's trade has been confirmed to the Red Wings


Senators add Saprykin from Coyotes

The Ottawa Senators have added more depth at forward, acquiring forward Oleg Saprykin and a seventh round pick from the Phoenix Coyotes for a second round pick.Saprykin has 14 goals and 34 points in 59 games with the Coyotes this season.In 313 career games with the Coyotes and Calgary Flames, he has 54 goals and 135 points.Saprykin was drafted 11th overall by the Flames in 1999.

Canadiens nab Leighton

The Montreal Canadiens claimed goaltender Michael Leighton off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers and recalled forward Andrei Kostitsyn from AHL Hamilton on Tuesday.The team also confirmed that forward Aaron Downey has cleared waivers.

Zubrus Traded To The Sabres

Perreault back for 3rd stint with Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs grabbed a much-needed centre, re-acquiring Yanic Perreault and a 2008 fifth-round pick from the Phoenix Coyotes for defenceman Brendan Bell and a 2008 second-round draft pick.The 35-year-old Perreault, noted as a faceoff specialist, had 19 goals and 33 points with the Coyotes this year.He signed a one-year deal with Phoenix had 22 goals and 35 assists for a career-high 57 points in 69 games last season for Nashville.Perreault has 236 goals and 497 points in 789 games in 13 NHL seasons with Toronto, Los Angeles, Montreal, Phoenix and Nashville.


The Anaheim Ducks acquired Brad May from the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday for goaltender Michael Wall.

I hope he breaks his neck

Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders?

stupid stupid oilers :rant:

No dobut.. What are they thinking?!

Buffalo Trade for a Pair



 Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today the team has acquired center Dainius Zubrus and defenseman Timo Helbling from Washington, in exchange for center Jiri Novotny and Buffalo's first-round selection in the 2007 Entry Draft.

 Zubrus, 28, (DAYN-ihs ZOO-brus) has played in 60 games for the Capitals this season, recording 20 goals and 32 assists, along with 52 PIMs. Currently in his 12th NHL season, Zubrus has 352 points (134+218) in 670 games with Washington, Montreal and Philadelphia. Last season was Zubrus' best in the NHL, finishing with 57 points (23+34) in 71 games, including 13 PP goals and 5 GWG. He also has 14 points (7+7) in 36 career playoff games. Zubrus was originally selected by Philadelphia in the first round (15th overall) in the 1996 Entry Draft.

 Helbling (25 years old, 6-3, 217 lbs.) has one assist in 11 career NHL games with Washington and Tampa Bay. He was originally selected by Nashville in the sixth round, 162nd overall, in 1999 Entry Draft. He was traded to Tampa Bay by Nashville for Tampa Bay's eighth-round choice (Pekka Rinne) in 2004 Entry Draft, Feb. 25, 2004. Washington signed Helbling as a free agent on August 8, 2006.

 Novotny was Buffalo's first-round choice (22nd overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He had 13 points (6+7) in 50 games with Buffalo this season.

Oilers trade forward Smyth to Islanders

Unable to reach a long-term deal with their heart-and-soul player, the Edmonton Oilers instead traded Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders for prospects Ryan O'Marra and Robert Nilsson and the Islanders' first-round pick in 2007.
The two-year, $7 million US contract Smyth signed in 2005 expires after this season, when he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency. It remains possible, therefore, that Smyth could re-sign with the Oilers in the summer ? assuming today's trade didn't sour his thoughts on the prospect of a return. And, of course, the Oilers would still have to meet his asking price.

according to TSN no GM's knew about it....so they couldnt have possibly picked the best offer on him...why do this?

Mabye they really like the two prospects?

Stupid stupid stupid. Gotta keep Smyth, what is wrong with them?

Ted Nolan's got the Islanders playing above their skill and now with Smyth I see them in the playoffs.

fuck that....they are in a playoff hunt....he is their heart and soul player....hes young and the fans love him....it makes no sense...they had money to sign him .... unless they dont think hes worth the money :-\ i dunno i wish detroit woulda got him instead of bertuzzi :hihi: anyway sad day if i was an oiler fan.... ?:'( i mean i got a soft spot for them always...its just a puzzling move

yeah CC....its gonna be a log jam into the playoffs in the east

Centre Boyes goes from Bruins to Blues

The Boston Bruins have parted ways with centre Brad Boyes, trading him to the St. Louis Blues for defenceman Dennis Wideman.Boyes has 13 goals and 34 points this season.The 24-year-old had a team-best 43 assists and finished second on the squad with 69 points in 2005-06 season. He finished third among first-year players in the league in assists and points and earned a berth on the NHL All-Rookie Team.

I agree Neemo... No way they shoulda let him go... but they just might do it so they can get those guys, then resign him next year... Fucked up in my book, but whatever!

That's what ESPN is saying too.

Oh you Buffalo homers...

I give up.

In other news, I did a combination of the funky chicken, the safety dance, and Snoopy's dancing from A Charlie Brown Christmas for a full two hours straight upon hearing of the Penguins 4 trades-- Laraque, Roberts, Kwiatkowski, and a goalie bound for the AHL for 2 prospects and 3 picks.

Three of the Pens' big four holes got closed with those trades.

Stupid NJ...

Good, because you know you lost  ;D

Dude if it happened to your team you'd know whats up...

It's happened to my team.

I got over it.

Shit happens.

Deal with it.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/hockey/nhl/03/02/kaberle.leafs.ap/index.html?eref=si_hockey

See you let these worthless thugs get away with this shit, and it keeps happening.... The NHL really needs to get tough on this horse shit  :no:

Cry me a river.  If the players don't like it, they should learn to defend themselves.  Remember? Like hockey USED to be?

Shit happens, you deal with it.  And shit will happen.  You either defend yourself, get someone to defend you, or you don't play.  Don't castrate the game just to appease the whiners and anti-fighting, anti-hitting, anti-everything faction.

Don't blame Janssen for the hit, blame the Leafs for not coming to their teammates aid.  I saw the hit, Kaberle should have been expecting it.  Janssens kept coming at him from the front, and hit him with a clean hit.  It's not Janssen's fault that Kaberle CHOSE to turn away and just imagine that he was no longer a legal target to be hit.

Kaberle brought this on by himself, as did the Leafs as a whole by not having anyone to counteract the potential for physical play.

^ Janssen jumped up into the hit. That's over the line regardless of the 'toughness' you want in the game. The Leafs should have ran Brodeur and head-hunted some stars to respond. You can't let a player of Kaberle's quality take hits like that, especially when they're going to need him to push past Montreal and Carolina to get in the playoffs.

Wow you are unbelievable.... Dont blame him for the hit, it was clean?!!? The guy jumps toward his head 3 seconds LATE... Its worthless...

I'm not anti-hittng, anti fighting, or anything like that... Until a guy leaves on a strecher because of a cowardly player.....

Yes, Toronto should have responded, they're physical enough of a team to do so!

You're fucking pathetic, How is someone supposed to defend themselves when there knocked out cause of an elbow to the head, it was 3 going on 4 seconds late and Kaberle was turning up ice to jump into the play because he was out of the play which means there was no need to hit him, It was a gutless move and fuck I wish someone would have ended his career for that, I cant wait until they play in a few weeks, Theres a difference between hitting,fighting,etc and dirty hits, That was just plan dirty and uncalled for

NHL suspends Devils' Janssen for hit

The NHL has suspended New Jersey Devils tough guy Cam Janssen three games for his hit on Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Tomas Kaberle.


I came up with an idea while I was watching this, What do yas think about if jsut in certain situations where it was somehting obvious, not for all occasions but somehting obvious where the player was hurt as a result of a headshot or super late hit or whatever, if the player is hurt then the person who hit him is suspended until that player is cleared to return, Now remember its only for certains occasions where its obvious there was an intent to injure or whatever, what do yous think?

Dont like that idea... It should be at least time and a half, but preferably DOUBLE, what the injured player misses  : ok:

Bill Watters said the best way to peanalize the Devils would be to make Janssen play 25 minutes a game instead of suspending him lol, Cause he sucks so much

The only reason the hit looked bad at all is because Kaberle was a tad off balance and close to the boards.  Kaberle saw the hit coming and chose to duck his head.  The damage was caused by him going into the boards.  Will we see people clamoring for the use of padded boards now?  Of course not, but it makes more sense than throwing the book at someone for a clean hit.

And his elbow and hands were nowhere near being up.  Well, unless elbow is now synonymous with shoulder as some Buffalo fans would have us believe.

Here, something for you guys to drool over: http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/187865

Dump the instigator rule, and this shit doesn't happen.

As for the idea of suspending a player for as long as (or more) than a player is injured, it won't work.  How can we prove that a team isn't milking an injury to a nobody to keep a star player suspended?  For example, Ovechkin's hit on Briere.  The Sabres would have been worse off without Briere, but they have plenty to make up for him.  They could have kept him out for two weeks or so as a "precaution," thus keeping Ovechkin out for at least that long.  You honestly don't think teams would do that?

Let me guess: you guys also think Steve Moore elbowed Markus Naslund?

1.) That was not a clean hit.. Yes Kaberle should have protected himself, but it was LATE... He should have not gotten hit in the first place...

2.) A head hit is a head hit... I'm a Buffalo fan, and Neil did not throw and elbow.. But he came in late, and for the head...

3.) The equal time rule is a great idea, if this rule went into effect (to dirty hits only)... Guys would think twice about cheap shots, and if a team did sit a guy out extra time, oh well!! Dont hit dirty and it wont happen!!

Plain and simple!

It was still a legal hit.  You either just have the puck, or must have been the last to touch it to be eligible to be hit.  Kaberle made the pass and imagined he couldn't be hit.  Big mistake.


Where in the rulebook does it say you can't get hit in the head?  He wasn't looking, the hit was a clean hit with the shoulder.  The only thing making it borderline is the fact that it was from behind and to the side.  If you don't want to get a shoulder to the head, then you should be watching and making sure you don't get hit.  It took Eric Lindros 15 years and 864 concussions to learn that.


Who's to determine what's a "dirty" hit and what isn't?  Janssen gets a three game suspension for a hit that would have gotten someone like Ovechkin maybe a warning and a fine or one game tops.  Don't even try telling me that the tough guys don't have a huge target on their backs from the league, whether they've done something or not while the big stars can get away with anything and everything with almost no penalty.

Examples?  In 1995, Craig Berube came on the ice on a legal line change and immediately got in a fight with Nick Kypreos.  He was slapped with a 10-game suspension.  In 2000, All-Star defenseman Chris Pronger does the same thing, comes on the ice on a legal line change, immediately gets in a fight with Kelly Buchberger.  The rulebook states that leaving the bench and proceeding directly into a fight (even on a legal line change like Berube) is an automatic ten game suspension.  It happened to Berube, it happened to Scott Parker.  Pronger received one game.  Now try to tell me the stars don't play by a different rulebook than the tough guys.

And if teams are allowed to milk injuries for all they can and get away with it, who's to say this won't happen?  Let's say Ovechkin knocks out some stiff from Carolina on a borderline hit.  If the guy from Carolina sits out the rest of the season, then Ovechkin would too.  What if the guy takes a decent-sized severance package to retire because he's milking the after-effects of the hit?  By this rule, Ovechkin would be gone for life as well.  It's like Communism-- a good idea in theory, but obviously won't work in real life.

And you all are dodging my question about the Moore "elbow" on Naslund.

I agree that Neils hot on Drury was clean, I didnt say it was dirty, Drury had just shot the puck, Neil was coming full steam ahead, he was looking at the net, It wasnt an elbow,A bit late ya possibly but still clean

However Janseens hit was nowhere near the play which had gone up ice already, so far out of the play that no one even seen it, and I think it was an elbow

i think it was a shoulder pad to the face....and wayyyy late

See thats the problem.. The rule book should out law all intentional hits to the head..

And yes I agree, stars get better treatment... Which is bull shit, and reflects the NHL in a whole, with their "selective enfocement"...

Alot needs to change but none of it is....

Honestly? it been forever since I saw the Moore on Naslund... Post a link and i'll tell you what I think....

EDIT: Just found it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=634nSML35AE

Clean hit.. Naslund went after the puck and went to one knee... Had he stayed up it would have been a shoulder to chest/shoulder hit.. Naslund left himself open, and put himself in the position..




Homer? ::)? :hihi:

Once again, banning head shots, great idea, won't work.  If you do that, players will be too afraid to give ANY sort of high hit because they just might get penalized.  Here's an idea-- keep your head up!  Shots to the head were rare in the past because players kept their heads up and saw a hit coming before it got to them.

What next?  Maybe a few players tear knee ligaments on a perfectly clean hip check in the future, do we ban hip checks then too?  Why not just ban all hitting right now?  Bettman would just cream himself over that thought.

i think it partially stems to kids in minor hockey growing up wearing face sheilds....the respect for the head isnt there anymore...cuz up until the pro's....you cant really hurt somebody like that...same with high sticks

its gotta start young cuz by the time they reach 20 its engrained in their heads :peace:

Only players with intent to injure... They'll think twice about fines and a suspension  : ok:

I am a little afraid that it'll end up like hitting the QB is in football, where teams give up big gains because they fear the 15 yard penalties and never challenge the QB when he leaves himself vulnerable. BUT, these hits have got to stop. Neemo's got the right idea about starting with kids, but something should be done now.

Personally I think shoulder pads have to be made smaller or lighter or something, because what happened to Umberger, Connolly, Drury and Kaberle shouldn't be career-threatening. Late hit penalties have to get as tight as hooking was called in 06 and forwards gotta keep their heads up.

It's not easy, but that's why those NHL guys are paid the big bucks.

Once again, similar to my question on how one defines a dirty hit, how does one prove intent?  You can't.

Not all the time... In the cases you cant, have a board of people review it... Anything late, even with not so much intent invlolved, should be punishable... Repeat offenders with questionable hits, should be more likley to fines/suspensions...etc...

WTF is with this shit this year

Chris Simon stick swing at a guys neck last night...10 games? more? how stupid of him...just punch him instead of swinging the stick. coulds seriously hurt that guy...luckily hes ok :o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht6RyAI9370

See you dont suspend/fine guys, it keeps happening  :no:

I wouldnt be upset with 25 games unpaid, mabye a $20,000 fine... gotta be tough

I'm just waiting for Mal to come by and try to explain how it was a clean hit  :hihi:

it was retaliation for being hit from behind

i was watching the Score last night and they were saying he will get 6 games...cuz he expressed remorse after the incident...and dude wasnt hurt

I was like WTF? Mark Osborne retaliated and said he should get the rest of the season...and maybe playoffs.

I agree with that...he should be done for the rest of this year and playoffs...CYA!

6 games?!  ::)

Thats just saying if you don't hurt the guy we'll go easy... So be careful when you try to decapitate some one

it was an annalyst that said that..not an nhl guy...they were speculating..sorry if i made it confusing :peace:

Ahh I'm with ya? : ok:

It would not suprise me for one second, if something ridiclous like 6 games was handed down...

Rest of the season + playoffs would be fine with me... And if they dont make the playoffs you ask??
Give him the most possible, all rounds times 7 games each!!

So 4 rounds x 7... 28 more games?? Sure why not!

EDIT:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-islanders-simonshit&prov=ap&type=lgns

Seems like they're going about this the right way... Hopefullythey dont let up on him!

New York Islanders forward Chris Simon has been suspended for the remainder of the 2006-07 regular season and the entirety of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Simon is suspended a minimum of 25 games, including Saturday night's game against Washington plus the 14 that remain in the 2006-07 regular season. If the Islanders do not qualify for the 2007 playoffs, or play fewer than 10 playoff games in the 2007 playoffs, Simon would serve additional games at the start of the 2007-08 regular season to satisfy the minimum term of the suspension.

The remainder of the season is acceptable for this.

And yes, it was in retaliation for a dirty hit from behind, face-first into the glass.  Retaliation should have happened in this situation, but not in the way Simon did it.  However, I think this is similar to the McSorley slash on Brashear-- it was not intended to go to the guy's head.

When Marty hacked Brashear, he was trying for his shoulder.  But Brashear was turning, he dipped his shoulder, and the stick glanced off his shoulder and came to his head.  Likewise, I think Simon was trying to just give a cross-check type of hack to Hollweg's shoulders or chest to get him to come back and fight in response to his dirty hit.

Simon is reportedly suffering from concussion-like symptoms from the hit he took.  Perhaps this caused him to be a tad woozy and missed on his aim by about 6 or 8 inches and smack Hollweg in the face.

Anyways, I think the suspension Simon is receiving is plenty.

Yup rest of the season is good... This should happen more often


But to say he wasnt going for the head?? Well mabye not, it was for the throat...

that same jackass, Ryan Hollweg, had another hit from behind last night...about 5 feet from the baords on someone...this guy needs to be investigated...twice in 2 games :rant:

Wow really? Is there a link?? His hit on simon was boderline I thought... A minor penalty at most.. But if he has a habbit of this shit, yes he needs to be looked at!!

nah i looked but couldnt find it...i saw it on TV this mornings highlights from yesterdays games.

Never a dull moment at NHLPA: Hall of Famer Mike Gartner resigns
Canadian Press    Mar 20, 2007, 12:06 AM EDT

TORONTO (CP) - Mike Gartner handed his resignation from the NHL Players' Assocation on Monday night, the latest development in a saga that appears far from over.

The Hockey Hall of Famer began a conference call with the players' executive board with his announcement that he was leaving as the NHLPA's director of hockey affairs, ending eight years of work at the union. "This decision was made with careful thought and consideration and has been contemplated over an extended period of time," Gartner said in a statement.

"I leave with great reservation due to my longstanding involvement with the Players' Association and in light of the current circumstances affecting the union. I am sincerely troubled by the recent revelations and am hopeful that the Association can move forward and be restored to a level of respect worthy of its members."

From SportsFansOnline.net...

Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Self-defense no longer legal in the NHL

It was officially announced today that Jordin Tootoo will receive a 5 game suspension for his gloved punch on Dallas' Stephane Robidas, proving two things. First, you are no longer to defend yourself from an oncoming attack, and second, that star players play by a different rulebook.

For those who didn't see what happened, Dallas' Mike Modano had his head down and was hit from the side by Tootoo in a clean, but hard hit. While Tootoo was skating away, Robidas flew over and was about to hit Tootoo after taking a good 6 or 7 strides, when Tootoo sensed him coming, turned, and slammed him with a right hook, glove still on. Robidas fell to the ice in a heap and was carted off on a stretcher. Just after the punch, Modano whipped around, sending his stick across the back of Tootoo's neck. Tootoo turned and challenged Modano to fight him like a real man, and Modano just ran away. Typical, considering Modano has two career fights-- he got jumped by John Kordic in his rookie season, and got cut open by noted tough guy (not) Rod Brind'Amour the next season.

Tootoo was simply defending himself from an oncoming attack. He was given 4 minutes for roughing, Robidas got two for charging. Modano was given nothing for a slash intended to hit Tootoo in the head, and even went on to score on the ensuing power play, putting him over the top for most goals scored by an American. For the rest of the game, Modano was booed every time he touched the puck due to his slash.

Five games for defending yourself? Is this supposed to send another anti-fighting message? We've already established via the instigator rule that you can't start a fight. And now with the suspension to Tootoo, you can't defend yourself from a fight either. Thanks NHL, you've finally done it. You've managed to get fighting out of the game by bending rules and fitting suspensions to what you think is appropriate.

But at the same time, via Modano's unpunished slash, you're seeing what happens when you ban fighting. The sticks will rise. The slashes will get higher. Elbows and hits from behind will take over. You can ban fighting in the NHL, but the violence as a whole will continue to escalate.

Posted by Drew at 3/20/2007 09:44:00 AM 0 comments 

Labels: hockey, hockey fight, NHL, violence

Modano should've been given a penalty for the slash, maybe even more, but punching is not defense. If your going to hit a star player, you're going to get hit. It's the way it is. Tootoo knew it was coming, and he was man enough to take the hit or quick enough to brace his shoulder, so he punched Robidas in the face. 5 games may be a tad harsh, but it's worthy of a suspension.

I agree that there should be a suspension but 5 games?  It should have been three, tops.

The anti-fighting brigade in the media will be out in full force this week after Orr dropped Fedoruk last night.  I can see it coming now...

Yeah it sucks... It was a clean fight, clean hit... To bad the guy got knocked out, hope he's ok... But he'll be the first to tell you its a part of the game...

i guess fedoruk spent the night in hospital under observation :hihi: that can happen when you use your face to block a punch

i say Tootoo shoulda got 2 games max

The Rangers are f*cking smoking hot right now - Exact opposite of last year's nose dive

Even the NHL's head disciplinarian, Colon Cowboy Campbell is jumping on the anti-fighting bandwagon.

He's forgetting that fighting is the only thing that got him into the league in the first place, and it's the only thing keeping his son in the league as well.

Whos his son?

Fucking Leafs blowing a 4-1 lead in the 3rd to loose 5-4 to Buffalo...OMG

FUCKING LEAFS YOU MOTHERFUCKS >:(I can't believe this shit.................im so depressed :crying:

Guys do you hear that???








.........Its the leafs choking!!? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Wow what a game... Even with the refs handing an open net goal to the leafs, to secure the game with 14 min left....? :hihi:

Face it guys they are not playoff material... Bring back Quinn!!? ;D


LETS GO BUFFALO

Thank God for Thomas Vanek. He pulled Buffalo through last night. I was there, and the crying Leafs fans were adorable.

We will get our revenge tonight. More along the lines of a 10-0 win

A loss tonight and the Leafs might as well start polishing their putters.

A 10-0 win still wont heal the embarassment of last nights game  :hihi:


Its a looong ride home after a game like that

leafs fucking suck

I don't know why everyone bashes the Leafs about how they suck. Sure we blew the game, but in reality everyone knew we would be in a fight to make the playoffs. Some of these comments you guys make are gold. Especially the guy who said the Leafs suck now that is really original ::)

LEAFS WIN :peace: : ok: :beer:

Wow LEafs pulled it out last night..Soo happy...Our hockey team lost in the all ontario final last night but i didnt care cause the Leafs won haha thank god

There's a Storm on the horizon folks and it's called the New York Rangers -   Anyone want a piece of this team in the playoffs?

I thought so -

With their track record in the playoffs in the last 10 years....  I could only hope to see em in the first round  :hihi:

It's an interesting situation in the east to say the least.

Especially as a Pittsburgh fan it's been an amazing season. And there's still a lot to play for in the regular season. They could be 5th, 4th or 2nd...

HaHa - good point!

Still , if they keep rolling like this going in, could do some damage -

Who's your team?

Yeah they've got enogugh veterans on that team... You'd think they'd make a stand in the playoffs..

Sabres are my team!

With the way they're playing they could actually wind up nearly catching New Jersey for the division. They are beating everyone right now. Hot teams with hot goalies are scary to play in the playoffs.

 :beer: Go Pens

   Yeah - Lundquivst is unreal

Yeah he is playing great right now.

Leafs are destroying the Canes 6-1 :peace: :beer:

Holy shit this Eastern Confrence race is getting crazy...Leafs are still 1 popint behind Montreal, boith teams have 2 games left with the last one being against each other saturday night...should be a crazy one

leafs gotta beat the islanders first :-\

Or Montreal has to loose to the Rangers

We'd be happy to take care of this for you : ok:

what about lou lamarello....what a fucking jackass

how can he possibly justify firing Claude Julienne...i mean i hate the Devils i really do but thats just outta line :o

Lou L is a cut-throat business man. If he feels that the Devils got that far based on the fact that he put those players out there, and the coach had so little to do with it, then what can you do?  He's got all the power -  But yeah, that's fucked up

Lou L is a moron. Who fires the coach of his team for winning the division? I mean seriously.

How can you justify calling him a moron?Just because there winning there division means jack shit, they have a great team and the best goalie in the leagee, I dont think Claude has much to do with it, Sure he prolly is a good coach, i like him..But tell me how do you know there wasnt something that didnt happen behind the scenes?..There was aviasly a good and justifiable reason for Lou to fire him

If it was something bad behind the scenes then ok... But it just dosent seem that way... To do it so close to the playoffs can bev devistating to the team... Which I hope it is.. It always good to see NJ out early  : ok:

i dont think a team has ever won the cup that has had a coaching change mid season....i could be wrong though

anyway crazy night instore for tonight i'm sure....cant wait! :beer:

Lou did it last time Jersey won the cup

1994-95 - New Jersey Devils - Jacques Lemaire
1999-00 - New Jersey Devils - Larry Robinson
2002-03 - New Jersey Devils - Pat Burns

 :P

Sry one of those times he did it they won the cup

the only other time he coached was last year when he took over for larry robinson in dec and they lost 2 the hurricanes in round 2 of the playoffs :peace:

http://www.newjerseydevils.com/njd/history/azcoaches/Lamoriello.php

anyway it may have happened but it wasnt Lamoriello :peace:

Yeah in 2000 I think he switched coaches at the end of the year and won it all in the playoffs

RANGERS 3
CANADIENS 1


LET'S GO RANGERS.............................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought he chaged like 20 games in and won it all... Anyway, it has happened, and it was NJ

ok found it, Robbie Ftorek was fired by lamorello on Mar 23, 2000 with 8 Games left...then Lou hired Asst Coach Larry Robinson, Devils went on to Beat Dallas in 6 Games for the cup

I stand corrected ... my appologies :peace:

Wow..Bufflos gonna be the team in the East without a doubt...Afinagenov returned the other nigth and got an assist and has one today...and Connollys first game back since last year has his 1st goal of the season

Yeah, - I'm feeling this may be the year that city finally gets a champion

God I hope so  :nervous:

Yeah as long as they can avoid the injuries they should make it far

West Matchups are pretty much set

Det vs Cgy/Col
Ana vs Min
Van vs Dal
Nas vs SJ

Anyone watching this Toronto V Montreal game?? Wild shit

LEAFS WIN YEAHHHHHHHHH :beer:

Effff ya...Leafs Baby...Please win Devils

lets go devils lets go :hihi:

i hope that Brodeur plays tommorrow......please martin please

its really a nothing game for them so unless he decides to try and extend his win record then it may be a bad thing for the leafs :-\

Please start Brodeur I want some playoff hockey

yeah for heavens sake devils, win win win

Lets Go Islanders  ;D

Never thought I'd say this - but go Devils

Anything to cause the Islander fans a little misery is fine by me

Oh yeah


Potvin beats his wife

Islanders win!!
Islanders win!!

Mabye next year Toronto fan  : ok:

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK :rant: :rant: :rant:

that was a crazy ending though

.9 seconds :hihi: man i thought NJ would take them after that :(

Ridiculous

If they did'nt win in that shootout - that would have been one of the franchises' worst moments ....EVER

ffs devils, putting that third goalie out there :-\

I'll be interested in usual to hear what Don Cherry has to say about this...He called the Devils out to play Brodeur...and well Cherrys the best

yahoo sports had an article saying that brodeur coulda tied Fuhr for most starts in a season by playing that game and beat Parent's record of most wins over 2 seasons with a win..so i was kinda surprised that he didnt play...but cant blame them for not playing him...i feel bad for the guy that did start...it was his 4th of the season :hihi: that has to be the best job in hockey..backing up Brodeur...a couple hundred grand to warm the bench thats my aspiration :hihi:

NJ was 100% right in their decision to sit Brouder... Its his last chance to get a rest...

Don Cherry calls out NJ?  ::) I hope that was the final straw in their decisionto sit him...
If Toronto was better, no one would have to be bitter today....

well thats just it...if the leafs woulda at least tied the islanders instead of that piss poor 5-2 loss the woulda been in :rant:

Thats why I like you Neemo  : ok:
Dont blame the devils or make excuses... All they needed was 1 more win

I dont blame them for sitting Brodeur either...He gets injured they have no change for the playoffs, it just sucks as a Leafs fan...anyways heres some tidbit news for yas

Joe Sakic has signed on for a 19th NHL season with the Colorado Avalanche franchise, signing a one-year deal for 2007-08.

Captain Mats Sundin wants to wear the Toronto Maple Leafs uniform for a 13th NHL season, if not more."I love being part of the organization, I love the challenge that is for this team to win a championship," Sundin said as he and his teammates cleaned out their lockers Monday. "The challenge of the Toronto Maple Leafs not winning the Stanley Cup since 1967 is a huge positive thing in my opinion for motivation to come back and get better every year."

The NHL has selected the 20 referees and 20 linesmen who will work the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs, with one veteran referee surprisingly left off the list.54 year-old Kerry Fraser, the longest serving referee in NHL history, did not make the cut this year. 

The Ottawa Senators have re-signed defenceman Anton Volchenkov to a US$7.5-million, three-year deal.

The NHL has no plans to expand the playoff pool to more teams.The Colorado Avalanche were 13 games over .500 and couldn't find a spot in the competitive Western Conference playoff party and the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes had decent seasons but commissioner Gary Bettman is satisfied with the current format which sees 16 of 30 clubs make it to the post-season. "The fact is that you wouldn't necessarily have these exciting races in the regular season if you expanded the number of teams in the playoffs," Bettman told The Canadian Press on Monday. One idea that has been floated is having a mini-round involving teams seventh through 10th in each conference with the two winners joining the six other teams. But that doesn't appear to be winning much support and Bettman isn't sure about the concept, either. "Finishing seventh or eighth doesn't get you a full-punch ticket to the playoffs (in that format)," Bettman said. "It would be a mini-round and I'm not sure teams would think that that would be a fair tradeoff, at least of those who have informally discussed it with me."

Haha, sucks for Fraser. But I like the decision, because I'm a bitter fan. :hihi:

Why the hell are all but two of the games for the Atlanta/Rangers series on a canadian only channel. Neither of those teams are in canada. No one there is gonna care about that series. The nhl really needs a better tv deal.

Price signs three-year deal with Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have signed former world junior star Carey Price to a three-year contract. As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.Price will join the Canadiens AHL farm team in Hamilton today. The Bulldogs have four games left in the regular season.Price, 19, completed the 2006-07 season with a record of 30 wins, 13 losses and one overtime loss, a 2.45 goals against average, a .917 save percentage and three shutouts in 46 games with the Tri-City Americans in the Western Hockey League. His performances helped his team finish in second place in the U.S. Division of the Western Conference with 47 wins and 96 points, two franchise records.In a little more than four full seasons in Tri-City, Price posted an overall record of 83 wins, 78 losses and 18 overtime losses in 193 games, with a 2.53 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. He also recorded 15 shutouts.On the international scene, Price led Canada to the gold medal at the 2007 World Junior Hockey Championships, in Sweden. Selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player and named to the All-Star Team, Price won each of his team's six games, posted a 1.14 goals against average and a .961 save percentage. He also registered two shutouts.

That is suprising actually.... The NHLs most valuable team not on?? What teams are they showing mostly..

NJ/Detriot/Pittsburgh, would be my guess then... Hopefully all Sabres games will be on local TV for the first 2 rounds, like last year... I'd hate to hafta listen to those crusty ass national announcers so soon...

And yet, Mick McGeough is one of the officials.  There's only one word to describe this...

A GODDAMN TRAVASHAMOCKERY!

Honestly, I can't wait to watch a game without hearing Lorentz's crap. Even RJ is annoying after 70+ games.

Report: Sens agree to deal with Phillips

It appears the Senators looked up another one of their defensive stalwarts.According to the Ottawa Sun, the Senators have agreed to terms on a four-year $14-million contract with Chris Phillips which includes a no-trade clause.

Wow you're nuts man.. .

When i'm watching the Devils getting blanked 4-0, and hafta hear how good they played... Makes me wanna shoot myself...

Here's the tv schedule for the first round. It makes no sense to me. New Jersey and Tampa solely on canadian networks outside of the local viewing areas. Same with Minnesota and Anaheim. And the rangers atlanta series mostly on TSN also. You would think they'd put games on canadian tv with at least one canadian team in them.

Series A - #1 Buffalo vs. #8 NY Islanders
Date    Time (ET)    Location    Network
Thu., April 12    8:00 p.m.    at Buffalo    TSN
Sat., April 14    7:30 p.m.    at Buffalo    VERSUS, TSN
Mon., April 16    7:30 p.m.    at NY Islanders    VERSUS, TSN
Wed., April 18    7:30 p.m.    at NY Islanders    VERSUS, TSN
*Fri., April 20    7:00 p.m.    at Buffalo    VERSUS, TSN
*Sun., April 22    7:00 p.m.    at NY Islanders    VERSUS, TSN
*Tue., April 24    TBD    at Buffalo    TSN
 
Series B - #2 New Jersey vs. #7 Tampa Bay
Date    Time (ET)    Location    Network
Thu., April 12    7:30 p.m.    at New Jersey    RDS
Sat., April 14    7:00 p.m.    at New Jersey    CBC, RDS
Mon., April 16    7:00 p.m.    at Tampa Bay    CBC, RDS
Wed., April 18    7:00 p.m.    at Tampa Bay    CBC, RDS
*Fri., April 20    7:00 p.m.    at New Jersey    CBC, RDS
*Sun., April 22    TBD    at Tampa Bay    CBC, RDS
*Tue., April 24    TBD    at New Jersey    CBC, RDS
 
Series C - #3 Atlanta vs. #6 NY Rangers
Date    Time (ET)    Location    Network
Thu., April 12    7:00 p.m.    at Atlanta    TSN
Sat., April 14    3:00 p.m.    at Atlanta    NBC, TSN
Tue., April 17    7:00 p.m.    at NY Rangers    TSN
Wed., April 18    7:00 p.m.    at NY Rangers    TSN
*Fri., April 20    TBD    at Atlanta    TSN
*Sun., April 22    1:00 p.m.    at NY Rangers    NBC, TSN
*Mon., April 23    7:00 p.m.    at Atlanta    VERSUS, TSN
 
Series D - #4 Ottawa vs. #5 Pittsburgh
Date    Time (ET)    Location    Network
Wed., April 11    7:00 p.m.    at Ottawa    CBC, RDS, VERSUS
Sat., April 14    3:00 p.m.    at Ottawa    CBC, RDS, NBC
Sun., April 15    6:00 p.m.    at Pittsburgh    VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Tue., April 17    7:00 p.m.    at Pittsburgh    VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Thu., April 19    7:00 p.m.    at Ottawa    CBC, RDS, VERSUS
*Sun., April 22    1:00 p.m.    at Pittsburgh    NBC, CBC, RDS
*Tue., April 24    7:00 p.m.    at Ottawa    VERSUS, CBC, RDS
 
*if necessary
 
2007 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
 
Series E - #1 Detroit vs. #8 Calgary
Date    Time (ET)    Location    Network
Thu., April 12    7:00 p.m.    at Detroit    VERSUS, CBC
Sun., April 15    1:00 p.m.    at Detroit    NBC, CBC
Tue., April 17    10:00 p.m.    at Calgary    CBC, VERSUS
Thu., April 19    TBD    at Calgary    CBC, VERSUS
*Sat., April 21    3:00 p.m.    at Detroit    NBC, CBC
*Sun., April 22    TBD    at Calgary    CBC, VERSUS
*Tue., April 24    TBD    at Detroit    CBC, VERSUS
 
Series F - #2 Anaheim vs. #7 Minnesota
Date    Time (ET)    Location    Network
Wed., April 11    10:30 p.m.    at Anaheim    TSN
Fri., April 13    10:30 p.m.    at Anaheim    TSN
Sun., April 15    8:00 p.m.    at Minnesota    TSN
Tue., April 17    9:00 p.m.    at Minnesota    TSN
*Thu., April 19    10:30 p.m.    at Anaheim    TSN
*Sat., April 21    TBD    at Minnesota    TSN
*Mon., April 23    10:00 p.m.    at Anaheim    TSN
 
Series G - #3 Vancouver vs. #6 Dallas
Date    Time (ET)    Location    Network
Wed., April 11    10:00 p.m.    at Vancouver    CBC, RDS, VERSUS
Fri., April 13    9:00 p.m.    at Vancouver    CBC, RDS, VERSUS
Sun., April 15    9:30 p.m.    at Dallas    VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Tue., April 17    8:00 p.m.    at Dallas    CBC, RDS (JIP)
*Thu., April 19    TBD    at Vancouver    CBC, RDS, VERSUS
*Sat., April 21    8:00 p.m.    at Dallas    VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Mon., April 23    TBD    at Vancouver    CBC, RDS, VERSUS
 
Series H - #4 Nashville vs. #5 San Jose
Date    Time (ET)    Location    Network
Wed., April 11    8:00 p.m.    at Nashville    TSN
Fri., April 13    8:00 p.m.    at Nashville    TSN
Mon., April 16    10:00 p.m.    at San Jose    VERSUS, TSN
Wed., April 18    10:00 p.m.    at San Jose    VERSUS, TSN
*Fri., April 20    9:00 p.m.    at Nashville    VERSUS (JIP), TSN
*Sun., April 22    10:00 p.m.    at San Jose    VERSUS (JIP), TSN
*Tue., April 24    TBD    at Nashville    VERSUS, TSN

I was suprised with the schedule to...But at least all the sens/pens game are on NBC, they will be awsome

I reallly miss the great tv deal they had with ESPN. I have no idea why they picked Versus.

Versus offered a whole $6 million more.  Despite the fact it would reach about 1/3 as many viewers.

Best news of the week: NBC is going to have Don Cherry on in studio during the playoffs, replacing Ray Ferraro. If it means the end of Ray Ferraro, all the better.


Cherry to make U.S. debut on NBC

April 10, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- Don Cherry is bringing his loud mouth and louder outfits south of the border.

The outspoken former coach of the Boston Bruins, who has been a fixture on CBC's "Hockey Night In Canada' telecasts for more than 25 years, will make his U.S. broadcasting debut as part of NBC's Stanley Cup playoff telecasts, the network announced Tuesday.

"A lot of people have written that what I say up here I would never get away with it down in the States," said Cherry, the Bruins' coach from the 1974-75 season until the 1978-79 campaign. "I'll just go on and do what I have to do.

"In the States, they wanted me to go on one time in Pittsburgh. Jaromir Jagr, it was when he had long hair and he was with Mario Lemieux and I said, 'There's Mario and his daughter.' It didn't go over too good. That was my last time in the States."

Cherry will be teamed with Brett Hull, the never-shy former player who is in his first season with NBC.

"Better get some plaids," Cherry said.

Hull will also to contribute to CBC's coverage in Canada.

"He tells it like it is," Hull said of Cherry. "If they did it on a regular basis, he would be just as popular down here as he is up there. Part of the thing that's missing, not with just hockey, but in all coverage in the American sports world, is some personality. I think that's why you see a guy like Terry Bradshaw, as popular as he is.

"He's not just Mr. P.C., going, 'That was a nice catch and throw."'

Ya know i'm not much of a fan of Don Cherry... But thats why I watch him... Mabye he will be able to attract more US viewers...

so whats everybodys round one predictions?

East

(8) New York Islanders vs. (1) Buffalo Sabres? - Sabres in 5

(7) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (2) New Jersey Devils - Devils in 7

(6) New York Rangers vs. (3) Atlanta Thrashers - Rangers in 6

(5) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) Ottawa Senators - Penguins in 7

West

(8) Calgary Flames vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings - Detroit in 6

(7) Minnesota Wild vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks - Anaheim in 7

(6) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Vancouver Canucks - Canucks in 6

(5) San Jose Sharks vs. (4) Nashville Predators - San Jose in 7

East

(8 ) New York Islanders vs. (1) Buffalo Sabres  - Sabres

(7) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (2) New Jersey Devils - Devils

(6) New York Rangers vs. (3) Atlanta Thrashers - Rangers

(5) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) Ottawa Senators - Ottawa

West

(8 ) Calgary Flames vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings - Honestly not sure about this..I'll go Detroit though

(7) Minnesota Wild vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks - Anaheim

(6) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Vancouver Canucks - Canucks

(5) San Jose Sharks vs. (4) Nashville Predators - San Jose

Phoenix Coyotes clean out front office

Sources tell TSN the Phoenix Coyotes have gutted their management team.

General manager Mike Barnett, assistant general manager Laurence Gilman, and Senior Executive and Vice President of Hockey Operations, Cliff Fletcher have been let go.

Barnett joined the Coyotes as Vice President and GM in 2001, leaving behind a successful career as a player agent with Wayne Gretzky as his marquee client.

Under Barnett's guidance, Phoenix has only qualified once for the Stanley Cup playoffs, in 2002 and were dispatched quickly by the San Jose Sharks in 5 games in the Conference quarter-final.

No replacement for Barnett has been named.


 

too bad gretzky didnt quit :hihi:

East

(8) New York Islanders vs. (1) Buffalo Sabres? -? Sabres in 5

(7) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (2) New Jersey Devils -? Devils in 6

(6) New York Rangers vs. (3) Atlanta Thrashers -? ?Rangers in 6

(5) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) Ottawa Senators -? Penguins in 5 (gotta be optimistic..)

West

(8 ) Calgary Flames vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings - Calgary in 6 or if not, Red Wings in 7

(7) Minnesota Wild vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks - Anaheim in 7

(6) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Vancouver Canucks - Canucks in 5

(5) San Jose Sharks vs. (4) Nashville Predators - Predators in 6

East

(8) New York Islanders vs. (1) Buffalo Sabres  -  Sabres in 4

(7) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (2) New Jersey Devils -  Devils in 6

(6) New York Rangers vs. (3) Atlanta Thrashers -   Rangers in 5

(5) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) Ottawa Senators -  Senators in 4

West

(8 ) Calgary Flames vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings - Red Wings in 5

(7) Minnesota Wild vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks - Anaheim in 5

(6) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Vancouver Canucks - Canucks in 5

(5) San Jose Sharks vs. (4) Nashville Predators - Predators in 7

So what's everyones impressions of the first few games? I've only got the chance to listen to some of the Anaheim/Wild game and the Rangers/Thrashers game. The Rangers/Thrashers game was a great well played very close game. I think this series could actually go the distance. I hope it doesn't i don't think my nerves can take a series that close. I'd love to see the Rangers win it in 4 or 5 games.

Well I think the Senators/Penguins series is the main matchup..Great hockey and its personal to....I also like the Thrashers/Rangers matchup...and they should get rid of the 5-5 overtime and make it 4-4...

I say no way. No special rules.

You play the game 'till you have a winner. No weird 4-4 overtimes, no shoot outs.

I dont want a shootout either but come on...That Vancouver/Dallas overtime was just boring....4 on 4 would be so much more exciting...the D jumping in the play, more chances

Usually when people try and make a game more 'exciting' they end up fucking it up.

leave the playoff OT alone IMO....i remember one year i watched the Wings and Blues in OT....when Yzerman scored it was the fucking best after all that time


ididnt stay up to watch the Van/Dal game though..i said fuck it and crashed after the 3rd was over :hihi:

Ranger game was terrific hockey. Jagr was getting mugged as usual - but besides that
it was a pretty open game. I think the Rangers need to get a little more physical the next game. Atlanta pretty much pushed them around, despite losing.

Hurricanes sign Ray Whitney to 3-year deal

Left wing Ray Whitney, the Carolina Hurricanes' leading scorer, signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract Friday.

"Ray's leadership on and off the ice is important to our success in the future," said Jim Rutherford, the team's president and general manager. "He has the dedication and desire to win that a team needs, and he makes the players around him better."

Whitney would have become an unrestricted free agent July 1.Whitney led the Hurricanes and tied for 21st in the NHL with a career-high 83 points. He tied his career high with 32 goals.The Hurricanes originally signed Whitney as a free agent on Aug. 6, 2005.

Yeah definitely no shootouts. A playoff game or series should not be decided on a shootout.

Yeah in the third period Atlanta was clearly playing better. The rangers dominated the first two. The rangers can't let that happen again

Rangers now up 2-0 on Atlanta. Two very close and good games. I hope we can end it in New York.

Hell yeah bro - another solid game - Garden will be rocking

I wish i could be there or at least see it but unfortunately i won't get the broadcast here in texas.

Bumber

yep definite bummer.

Agreed.  No way should gimmicky crap like 4-on-4 or a shootout decide something as important as the playoffs.  I like it in the regular season so that there are no ties anymore, but in something like the playoffs, keep it 5-on-5.

Anyways, I'm really liking the fact that for once there's actually some physical play going on in the postseason.  So many previous years, there's a hit after the whistle blows and nothing happens.  A borderline hit, and no response.  Now there are a lot of great hits, scrums after every whistle, a few fights, and you can tell the players are actually playing with some fire for once in this league.

Kinda random but... The local news was talking to Danny Briere in the locker room after game 2, and nightrain was blairing!! Thought that was cool  :peace:

Surprised at Calgary's performance so far..but i'm not complaining jsut kinda shocked...although they are totally differnet at home....i hope Detroit can take at least one game there ;)

and see that bullshit call against forsberg on friday...wtf?

and that poor ottawa dude got smoked yesterday holy shit. they gotta do somthing about those shoulder pads man :-\

Agreed...The Shoulder Pads are a huge part of the problem...Go back to the old cushoned
ones and they will no longer be knocked out on every other 'big' hit..It's ridiculous...If they dont do this at the end of this year its basically saying they dont care about there players health....I would much rather see a huge hit and the guy get right back up then him lay therre while they bring the stretcher out

Wow I thought the Devils would be doing so much better than this...Big props to Lecalvier and St Louis

Whats the streak at now?? The one where a 7 seed beats a 2 seed??

Will it continue this year??

well if it does its going to have to be tampa bay that does it. anaheim is up on 7th seed wild in the west.

So how about that Ranger game tonight. They completely dominated the thrashers. I think they'll end it tomorrow. Atlanta is just showing absolutely no life at all. I said it before the playoffs started. A hot team with a hot goalie is scary to play in the playoffs and the rangers are proving it. They are playing great hockey right now.

Hi-Five Timothy

They were dominant tonight - nothing else to say man

Atlanta is gonna go out looking to bludgeon people tomorrow

They sure were Atlanta just looked like a defeated frustrated team. We never let up on them and just completely kicked their ass. We gotta end this tomorrow. They are starting to get nasty and very dangerous.

Yeah and that worries me that they could go after our players. They started to in the third period tonight. The officials need to get a better control of it tomorrow then they did tonight. Too many Atlanta players got away with things they shouldn't have and they tried cleaning up the mess too late by giving out 10 min majors.

I would expect a closer game tonight - but I think it's over

The TV coverage of the playoffs is terrible.  TSN, I'm looking in your direction.

According to a friend of mine, TSN switched away from the NYR-Atlanta game last night when the Rangers were up 6-0. Their reasoning? Rough stuff could develop and the viewers don't need to see it.

And does anyone else out there hate Sam Rosen? Preaching about how great it was of Orr to back down from a challenge by Eric Boulton. So Orr heads off the ice and what happens? Boulton and Shanahan get into it. Exelby runs Jagr on a power play (why have Jagr out on a power play when you're already up 6-0?). According to someone at the game, Orr is given orders from coach Tom Renney not to fight. Is Renney completely brain dead again? You're up 6-0, your tough guy gets challenged, and you bring him back to the bench? What's the harm in letting him do his job? If he loses, will it really give the Thrashers some huge spark to bring them back from the dead? Goddamn, if he loses to a guy like Boulton, he shouldn't even be in the league!

Only the 2007 NHL could hand out 100 PIM in a game without a single fight.

I agree it was completely atrocious how the end of that game was handled.

What the hell is with the horrible officiating in this rangers/thrashers series? Ranger players are being taken down left and right and no call? How did these refs get the job for the playoffs?

Its happening in the Buffalo/NYI series... game 2 there were many shitty calls in NY's favor... Game 3 seems like they were helpin Buffalo a little... Its always a problem that never gets fixed..

We may have gotten a little payback with that last Jagr call.

3rd period is going to be crazy over there -

How fucking clutch is Shanahan, by the way.  How Detroit let him walk just amazes me, especially since they're always a team built for the playoffs -

haha yeah that was payback kovalchuk was falling down. Hopefully we can score the last minute of the PP to start the third. This is gonna be one hell of an ending to this one hopefully we can pull it out. i don't wanna go back to atlanta

i don't know what detroit was thinking letting that guy go. i know he's not young anymore but the guy can still play and like you said they are always in the playoffs.

Oh man! crossbar! goal! rangers lead

na na na hey hey hey goodbye atlanta!

I'll take the week off!

I never expected them to sweep this series. I thought they'd win, but to sweep is unreal -

Since Ottawa and Buffalo look like they're gonna make it through, it comes down to the dickheads ,...I mean Devils.... vs Tampa series  . If Devils win, we'll get Buffalo. If Tampa wins, we'll get Ottawa

Atlanta is a joke....congrats rangers fans : ok:

Pick your poison there. Both teams are very good and will be tough to beat.

Well there goes Pittsburgh....damnet

I wasn't expecting much from them against Ottawa. They're very young and inexperienced they will definitely be back though

Stupid Ottawa...

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess your a penguin fan?

is the next flames/wings game in calgary as well? this sucks :hihi:


i hate the 2-3-2 series format :no:

I believe its in Detroit actually.

ya it's in Detroit

I'm sure the wings are looking forward to going home. They were stinking up the saddledome.

let's go bruins!!

oh, wait, they aint in the playoffs...well, let's go Chris Drury...at least he's from Boston.

The format is 2-2-1-1-1

Crosby played with broken foot from mid-March on

 PITTSBURGH (AP) -NHL scoring champion Sidney Crosby played the final 2 1/2 weeks of the regular season and the playoffs with a broken left foot, an injury the Pittsburgh Penguins star didn't disclose until Saturday.

Crosby revealed the injury when he explained why he won't play in the world championships in Moscow. Crosby was expected to join Team Canada for the second year in a row after Pittsburgh was eliminated by Ottawa in the first round of the NHL playoffs.

Crosby believes he broke a bone in the foot while blocking a shot March 16 against Montreal, but he didn't miss any games. He had five goals and nine assists in his final 11 regular season games and three goals and two assists in five playoff games.

"The first two weeks were pretty sore," Crosby said as the Penguins players assembled Saturday before breaking for the summer. "After a couple of weeks, it starts to heal and it got a little better after that. It just needs time. ... After a couple of weeks, it didn't have any effect."

The game after he was hurt, Crosby had a goal and an assist against Ottawa on March 18 but then went scoreless in his next three games. Less than two weeks after getting hurt, he had two goals and an assist March 25 against Boston and a goal and an assist March 27 against Washington.

Crosby was in discomfort at times during the playoffs, but made certain he would not worsen the injury by playing.

Despite getting hurt, the 19-year-old Crosby became the youngest player to win the NHL scoring title with 120 points.

Crosby is disappointed he won't play in the world championships, where he was the leading scorer last year with eight goals and eight assists in nine games.

"It would have been a huge thrill to play for Team Canada," he said.

Next season, Crosby will be entering the final year of the three-year entry-level contract he signed after being drafted in 2005. He is hopeful of working out a new deal so he won't become an unrestricted free agent following the 2007-08 season.

So the East is decided (I'm sure you guys already know this but whatever, I'll post it anyways)

1 Buffalo vs. 6 New York Rangers
2. New Jersey vs. 4 Ottawa

West is still waiting on Dal/Van and Cal/Det.

Those should be two great series.

Johan Franzen is a homo, and I'll be cheering for whomever plays against the Wings.

San Jose most likely i think.

you love him :hihi:

SanJose is gonna be tough....i hope dallas wins :hihi: let SJ and Anaheim wear each other out : ok:

I hope Dallas wins too but they just can't seem to buy a goal most of the time. Turco is gonna have to stand on his head again to get them a third straight win.

I think you have that mixed up... Vancouver hasnt scored in more than 2 games  :hihi:

Dallas isn't exactly lighting the lamps much this series either. Turco is the reason they haven't he has been incredible last two games.

2007 EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Series "I"                       Time (ET)   #1 Buffalo vs. #6 NY Rangers      Network
Wednesday, April 25    7:00 p.m.     NY Rangers at Buffalo                  VERSUS
Friday, April 27               7:00 p.m.     NY Rangers at Buffalo                  VERSUS
Sunday, April 29            2:00 p.m.     Buffalo at NY Rangers                  NBC
Tuesday, May 1             7:00 p.m.     Buffalo at NY Rangers                  VERSUS
* Friday, May 4               7:00 p.m.     NY Rangers at Buffalo                  VERSUS
* Sunday, May 6            2:00 p.m.     Buffalo at NY Rangers                  NBC
* Tuesday, May 8          7:00 p.m.     NY Rangers at Buffalo                  VERSUS

Series "J"                     Time (ET)    #2 New Jersey vs. #4 Ottawa    Network
Thursday, April 26        7:00 p.m.    Ottawa at New Jersey   
Saturday, April 28         8:00 p.m.    Ottawa at New Jersey                    VERSUS
Monday, April 30           7:00 p.m.    New Jersey at Ottawa                    VERSUS
Wednesday, May 2       7:00 p.m.    New Jersey at Ottawa                    VERSUS
* Saturday, May 5          8:00 p.m.    Ottawa at New Jersey                    VERSUS
* Monday, May 7            7:00 p.m.    New Jersey at Ottawa                    VERSUS
* Wednesday, May 9    7:00 p.m.    Ottawa at New Jersey   

2007 WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Series "K"                    Time (ET)    #1 Detroit vs. Dallas/San Jose    Network
Thursday, April 26        7:30 p.m.      Dallas/San Jose at Detroit          VERSUS
Saturday, April 28         3:00 p.m.      Dallas/San Jose at Detroit          NBC
Monday, April 30          9/10:00 p.m. Detroit at Dallas/San Jose          VERSUS
Wednesday, May 2      9/10:00 p.m. Detroit at Dallas/San Jose          VERSUS
* Saturday, May 5         2:00 p.m.       Dallas/San Jose at Detroit          NBC
* Monday, May 7            TBD               Detroit at Dallas/San Jose          VERSUS
* Wednesday, May 9    TBD               Dallas/San Jose at Detroit          VERSUS

Series "L"                    Time (ET)    #2 Anaheim vs. S.J./Vancouver        Network
Wednesday, April 25   10:00 p.m.    San Jose/Vancouver at Anaheim    VERSUS
Friday, April 27              10:00 p.m.    San Jose/Vancouver at Anaheim    VERSUS
Sunday, April 29           8:00 p.m.      Anaheim at San Jose/Vancouver     VERSUS
Tuesday, May 1            10:00 p.m.    Anaheim at San Jose/Vancouver     VERSUS
* Thursday, May 3         9:00 p.m.     San Jose/Vancouver at Anaheim     VERSUS
* Sunday, May 6            TBD              Anaheim at San Jose/Vancouver     VERSUS
* Tuesday, May 8          TBD              San Jose/Vancouver at Anaheim     VERSUS


A much better tv schedule for round 2. I will get to see most of the Rangers/Buffalo series

just for shits and giggles....if you picked the right team to advance you got 1 pt....the scores for round 1 are

Neemo - 7
Malcolm - 8 (Good Job Malcolm!)
Skeba - 5
Timothy25 - 7


so whats everybodys round two predictions?

East

(6) New York Rangers vs. (1) Buffalo Sabres? - Sabres in 6

(4) Ottawa Senators vs. (2) New Jersey Devils - Senators in 7

West

(5) San Jose Sharks vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings - Detroit in 7

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks - Anaheim in 6

yeesh tough round to pick :-\

East

(6) New York Rangers vs. (1) Buffalo Sabres  - Sabres in 5

(4) Ottawa Senators vs. (2) New Jersey Devils - Senators in 6

West

(5) San Jose Sharks vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings - San Jose in 6

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks - Anaheim in 6

These should all be awsome series

I must've missed out on the original wagers but here you go for round 2:

Rangers in 7
Senators in 7

Wings in 5
Ducks in 5

East

(6) New York Rangers vs. (1) Buffalo Sabres  - Rangers in 6

(4) Ottawa Senators vs. (2) New Jersey Devils - Senators in 5

West

(5) San Jose Sharks vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings - Detroit in 6

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks - Anaheim in 6

I gotta go with my rangers for their series. So many people think they have no chance but i think they do. Just look at a few facts from their season series. 1. 3 of the 4 games Buffalo needed overtime to beat us. 2 3 of the 4 games we had Weekes in goal. They had trouble beating our backup goalie. 3. All the wins were before December 1st. We are a different team since the break and since we got Avery. We have a much better chance than a lot of people think.

True... But we still swept you in the season, plain and simple... We got ya in 6!

You swept a team not playing anywhere near as good as they are now BIG difference. You are gonna find it a lot harder to get the puck past Henrik. In his last 44 games he has as 1.89 GAA and a 929 save percentage. That is significantly better then Miller was for you even against the Islanders.

This season:

Henrik Lundqvist: GAA 2.34 Save % .917
Ryan Miller           GAA 2.73 Save % .911

Pretty close when you ask me... Plus buffalo outscored NY by over 60 goals this season in 82 games.. I like those odds...

True but we have some guys that are scoring now that weren't including a young kid. You scored more then 4 goals against us only once and the times you scored 4 or more were against weekes. This is gonna be a great very close series.

I'm feeling good about the Rangers - but have a lot of respect for the way Buffalo plays.

But Timothy is right - you're fooling yourself if you think you're getting the same Ranger team that you saw early in the year

rangers def have a shot....they all do....rangers are definately a better team than the islanders

I don't get how anyone can be so sure of themselves. There are no bad teams left in the playoffs. Anyone can win with a bad call, lucky bounce, untimly injury. Rangers could beat Buffalo, Buffalo could beat the Rangers. Just the way it is.

As I see it, this is where the Sabres have got to be thankful for Connolly's return. He's probably the best special teamer in the whole damn playoffs (unless you're including goalies) and if he plays well Buf PK has a shot at stopping the Rangers there. Briere has to pick it up this round too.

The only point that was laughable was the 'Sabres needed overtime 3 of 4 times.' So what? There's overtime in the playoffs too, and if you can't finish in overtime as the Rangers didn't in the season series they're gonna be in trouble.

Never said they were the same team..... But they didnt play buffalo in those last 41 games or what ever, so it is hard to say... It'll be a good series

It will be a great series and i'm looking forward to its start in an hour.

Impressive start from the Sabres, but game 2 tends to be more important than game 1, so we'll see what happens.

We let up way too much during the middle of the second period. Other then that we played them good. We can't do that again and we gotta stay out of the damn penalty box.

I think they played right into Buffalo's hands, with the bad penalties. You cannot give a team like that too many advantages. The Rangers deserved to lose and  they did. Hopefully, they get some shots on net next game.

Yeah, just think how it would have been if Buffalo wasnt horrible on the PP... I mean what 0 for their firt 5??? They've gotta take adantage of that...

Other than that I loved what I saw  : ok:

I'll bet you did there, fruitcake!

Game 2 will be ours!

i dont think so :hihi: Rangers can't match buffalo's depth

Vancouver got spanked too...they are done, they can't match up to anaheim :no:

Islanders went in there and beat them in game 2.  Enough said.


Yes Vancouver probably is worn down right now, but I would'nt be surprised to see them win a game at home -

Isles had that moral boost with DiPietro coming back and they still just barely pulled it out. However, anything can happen. I think Buffalo will win because I think they're the better team, but Rangers could win any one game if things go their way.

I can't believe Buffalo fans boo Avery. We give him way too much respect. His impact isn't big enough for a reaction.

And I don't think Jagr deserves it either, but I've always known Sabres fans would boo him because he's good. Sad, but that's the way it is.

Leafs sign Devereaux to two-year deal

Sources tell TSN that the Toronto Maple Leafs and veteran forward Boyd Devereaux have agreed to a two-year contract extension.

Under the one-way deal, Devereaux will earn $550,000 in 2007-08 and $600,000 in the 2008-09 season.

Devereaux, who scored 19 points in 33 games this past season, joined the Leafs last October with a one year, two-way contract.

He has played in 542 NHL games with Toronto, Phoenix, Detroit and Edmonton and has scored 54 career goals and 96 assists.

yeah those damn penalties finally killed us. if we don't play like total crap for a few minutes after that goal maybe they don't score those two goals. if they don't that would've been a tie game with 42 seconds left when we scored. hoping for a better effort tomorrow from us. that was NOT our A game. we've played them much better this year.

What about that 5 on 3 in the 3rd???   Take some damn shots guys!  If they scored on that gimme, and then Hossa still buried his, they've been down 1 goal with about 7 minutes left - different game

I'm expecting a more complete effort tomorrow

If, If, If
Nah I'm just messin with ya guys? ;D

Its still a long series



I agree about Avery... They shouldent acknowledge that little turd...

I dont think Jagr deserves the respect he gets on the ice... Yes hes a GREAT skill, but hit the guy!! Eveyone acts like he has a "bubble" around him when he has the puck...

#1 ) If, if, if  - One win does'nt guarantee a series pal - You're the # 1 seed at home - remember?

#2)  Avery gets paid to have dudes like you call him a little turd and to have the crowd boo his ass

# 3)  If you watched any Ranger games all year, Jagr gets molested all game and often DOES NOT get the respect he deserves

# 4)  Bring it  ( I'm kidding around with you too, my friend ) :peace:

yeah thats true we let that opportunity slip away. what do you think about that reviewed goal? i'm still not sure they got that one right. i thought if it goes off anything but a stick or an open skate its not allowed regardless of intent. how is roszival btw? what's his status for game two and the rest of the series.

1- I never said it did...

2- I understand that, but he must not get paid to back anything up...

3- I've always hated Jagr.. Pens, Caps, Rangers... Thats just personal, I guess...

4 - Brought? :P

1) Ok
2)  One game does'nt determine backing anything up - give it time - you'll hate him even more
3)  It's allright , I hated Jagr too - before he put on my jersey
4) Look forward to it

Later

I just turned on NJ v OTT... 4-0 Ott already  :o

Just proves my theroy...   Brouder sucks!!

Yeah, I just saw that - I'm happy -  I hate fucking Jersey

But Brodeur does not suck

anytime jersey is getting their ass kicked i'm a happy guy they and their fans are stupid and arrogant.

IMO the only time he dosent is when he faces 20 shots in a game...

After 30 you have a damn good shot at winning...

I dont' know about that - I do think the system helps him a lot - but as far as big game goalies go - that guy is up there - and it kills me to say so

well so much for jersey getting their ass kicked. 3 unanswered goals and its 4-3

Brodeur is usually amazing following games like this.  The Devils will bounce back.

He wasnt to bad after the 4 goals... Emery was able to JUST hold on...

fucking detroit stunk it up.....they had so many chances but couldnt bury it :-\

LET'S GET THIS STARTED NOW - 5:16PM



LET'S GO RANGERS! 


GAME 2 WILL BE OURS

now THIS is the way we are capable of playing.

I NEED TO START DRINKING HEAVILY NOW............ :no: :no: :no:



MALIK SHOULD BE BEATEN

why Malik? I must've missed something and wtf was ruff so pissed about at the end there?

I believe it was Malik who passed the puck to no-one , errr right to Buffalo to start the 3rd and then they buried it and tied up the game 30 seconds into the period.

Ruff was mad because they called a penalty on Briere with 2 minutes left ( it was a weak call)

We need some serious home-cookin'

Yeah that was really stupid of whoever it was. I guess i can't blame him for being mad about that. Can you believe that move for that third goal though? Wow what a move and pass. I don't think any goalie could've stopped that one.

Way to go refs... Way to not try to decide the outcome of the game....

I mean that call on Briere was horseshit... Briere gets punched in the face 5 minitues before that, by Avery on the faceoff... What does the ref do?? He talks to him...

To try and stack the odds in anyones favor, after a great game like that needs to be looked at...

We can be pissed at the refs when we lose. Let's instead just be happy that Vanek is on our team and not there's.

I dont get pissed at refs when we lose... I get pissed when they make horrible calls all night...
Shannahan holds the puck for five seconds, and throws it out of the zone.... Thats ok tho  ::)

But like you said, thank god for Vanek : ok:

I think you're allowed to do that in the defensive zone  - it's an old trick that someone like Shanny would well-know

Either way - it was a great game -and I admitted the call on Briere was indeed weak

Vanek is a fantastic player to watch - though not when we're playing against him!

Swat it away mabye... But to cover it with your hand, for so long?? I'm pretty sure thats 2 in the box

Could be - don't know for sure

I wonder if any NHL refs are big GNR fans and lurk here...........

The announcers on versus even said shanny was allowed to do what he did. as long as he doesn't close his hand to cover it. he's allowed to put his hand on it and push it out.

THANKS

Someone has seem to have forgotten to tell the sens there is a game tonight. They need to wake up!

And we have a series in new york!

That was one of the greatest games I've ever seen

Rangers were due - I had a feeling they'd pull it out

Can't wait untill Tuesday

all the series are good so far : ok:

Its too bad we needed OT though thanks to a absolutely HORRIBLE HORRIBLE call on that goal. If that sabre goal in game 2 was a goal so was the one we had waved off. The officiating once again is atrocious against both teams. How did these refs get their jobs?

Good call on that goal... Yes he was stoping, but the puck was on his foot, while his foot went forward.. It was either kick the puck in and stop, or crash the net...

But intent was not there. He was being mauled by a buffalo player. Just like they ruled on the sabre goal earlier in the series. If that one was a good call then this one should've been allowed also

Intent is not in the rulebook... It was a "distinct kicking motion", that put the puck into the net

Was at the Sens/Devils Game 3 in Ottawa last night..We all wore LEafs jerseys haha it was so funny...Anyways it was an awsome game and even though the DEvils didnt win Brodeur put on a show...He was on fire...Ottawas goal was questionable but whatever..Brodeurs amazing

I rarely post outside of the main Guns N' Roses section. Despite our loss last night, I just wanted to stop in and say:

GO WINGS!

fuckin A! that was a disappointing loss though :no:

wow this video review is intense...I've gotta say it's a goal...waiting for the review

No goal rangers win!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have ourselves a series.

Wow what a call  :no:

Oh well next game

Ill be the first to admit i think it went completely over the line under hank's pad.. according to the rule though it was the right call there was not conclusive evidence it went over. You never saw white between the puck and the line on the replays

Yup i'll agree... Go figure MSG is so overhyped, and they can afford more cameras...

Best of three now though. Should be an exciting finish to this one.

Interesting quote from Briere. "I guess it was really close," Briere said. "I think they misjudged the one last game. The Rangers' goal should've been a goal. For the sake of all, I hope they made the right call because that wouldn't be good -- two games in a row, two critical goals disallowed."

He even thought they botched the call on sunday.

Fuck him - If there were no replay then the Ranger goal Sunday would have counted and there would have been no double overtime, and last night's still would not have counted. The referee in both instances ruled in the RAngers favor BEFORE they went to replay

Great game again - Great series , so far.

Exactly. At least the replay crew in toronto finally got one right last night.

It's easy to assume that the Briere goal was in, in fact I'm sure it was, but you couldn't prove it from those angles so it had to be disallowed. Tough break, but you can't play only 10 minutes of good hockey and expect to win. Sabres have to play better in game 5.

Exactly, If it had been ruled a goal on the ice it would've stood but since it was no goal on the ice the replay did not show enough to reverse the call. If they continue to play that in game 5. They are going back to the garden down 3-2 having to beat a team that hasn't lost at home since march.

i nearly hit the roof when Lang Scored last night with 30 seconds left  ;D

That was a great game wasn't it.

cya vancouver

That was a crazy overtime... Vancouvers back up made 5 huge saves... They shoulda kept him in... I bet he woulda stayed awake in the crease  :hihi:

i didnt watch it...how come luongo was out? equip malfunction? what happened :-\

Absolutely disgraceful. We deserved to lose this game. You don't ice the puck with 20 seconds to go you stupid idiot Rosival.

What a game!! Buffalo pulls it out!!

Overall Buffalo played like Buffalo... Just that Lundquvist shut em down for the first 59:50 of the game....


Probally, not certain tho.... They never really explained... It was like the first 4 min of overtime

Ya they said it was equipment....and wow I cant belive Buffalo tied it up...I thought Rangers had the win for sure

Not just game. What a series. We just made that one icing mistake at the end and it cost us. We in if Rosival doesn't have  brain fart with 16.7 to go! Lundy is really proving himself in these playoffs gotta give the guy credit. He stands on his head. Oh well on to game 6 at the garden lets see if we go back to buffalo.

Wow i just saw the replay on the disallowed goal. How was that goaltender interference? He didn't even touch miller! I am so sick of the refs and toronto deciding the playoff games. the officating has been the worst i have seen in many years. A lot of these guys need to be fired after the season. Just let the guys play and let them decide the game not the officials.

COMAMOTIVE IS OFFICIALLY ON SUICIDE WATCH

I dont know man... It impeaded millers chance to make a good save..

Its a tough call, but the whistle blew as he was taking a shot....

I just think too many of these calls and reviews are determining the outcome of this series for both teams and it sucks. The players should be deciding this not the refs or toronto. I've never seen so many reviewed plays and "weak" penalty calls on both sides in a series before. I'm watching the other series' too and am not seeing this bad of officiating.

I know how ya feel that one hurt but what can ya do? Just gotta move on to game six hope we can force a 7th then pray for a miracle on the road.

Here we go with another review ugh stupid!

But there would have been a problem on Buffalos side if Miller got interfered with and no call was made...

yeah it was a tough call either way. on a good note the devils are gone :D

I had a bad feeling before Friday's game and it held true

This morning I awake with an overwhelming sense that the Rangers are about to tattoo the Sabres by 4 goals today, and for a Game 7

Well you were partially right. We tattooed eachother. 9 goals wow not in our favor unfortunately

Well you had the 4 goal number right any way


Lets go Buffalo  


 :peace: :peace:

Congratulations Buffalo fans. In the end you deserved that series. We gave you guys all you could handle and played great especially Henrik. You gotta admit that.

Fuckin right.... He's the reason the rangers did as good as they did.. I'm just glad miller could out play him!!

He did barely but he did. It was great getting to see two goaltenders who are gonna rule this league for quite a few years to come i think. Vezinas could be in both these guys futures. Here's hoping for a just as great rematch next year but i gotta hope for a different outcome  :hihi:

It was painful to take - but there's no shame losing to a team like Buffalo- I'm rooting for them to beat Ottawa

Nice series

As for my 4 goal prediction....I also ran around telling people about a year ago, that the release of Chinese Democracy was imminent ....So, I probably should'nt quit my day job.

Yeah it was mostly cause it was so close. A few bounces go our way or we hold on in game two and five we win this in 5 games. It was just THAT close

Outside of Jagr being a year older and Shanny maybe retiring, the future looks pretty bright for us, at least.

Will I celebrate more on the day of Chinese D's release or Malik's???????????????

I hope he doesn't retire i think he's still got something left in the tank.

Hmm maybe even on that one  :rofl:

Round 1
Neemo - 7
Malcolm - 8
Skeba - 5
Timothy25 - 7

Round 2
Neemo - 4
Malcolm - 3
COMAMOTIVE - 3
Timothy25 - 3

Lets pick Rounds 3 and 4 together....i'll make my picks in a bit

ANAHEIM IN 5
BUFFALO IN 6

SINCE THERE'S ONLY TWO SERIES , YOU SHOULD GIVE PTS FOR THE PICKING THE # OF GAMES CORRECTLY TOO

Anaheim in 6
Buffalo in 7

Buffalo wins cup in 6

damn.. forgot to do the last round...

I'll try to be a bit different to catch up, and say

Ottawa in 6, and
Anaheim in 6.

Oh, and cup goes to Anaheim in 5

pick the cup winner too guys : ok: if you get that right we can award 2 pts instead of one

Just jumping in for the hell of it, Detroit in 6 and Ottawa in 7.

And Bettman creams his pants as the NHL prepares to award a Cup to a fucking Euro captain for the first time in history.

BUFFALO WILL BEAT ANAHEIM IN 6 GAMES

 :hihi: i was wondering cuz of this post...what if buffalo wins the cup? what captain accepts the trophey? or do Briere and Drury slug it out?

The New York Islanders announced Tuesday that the club has signed goaltender Wade Dubielewicz to a one-year, one-way NHL contract for 2007-08.

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenceman Ian White to a three-year contract extension on Tuesday.

worried about that 15 yr guy???  :hihi:

I'm gonna say Anaheim in 6 and Ottawa in 7. Their weak link is Emery but i think their defense can slow their offense down. The rangers did it a little so i see no reason a much better defensive ottawa can't. I think anaheim will take the cup in 6.

Detroit in 6
Ottawa in 7

Ottawa in 6 (as much of a wings fan i am, I think this actually may be the Sens year)

Leafs' Ponikarovsky signs extention
TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto Maple Leafs rewarded Alexei Ponikarovsky for a career season Thursday, signing the forward to a $6.315 million, three-year contract extension.
The 27-year-old native of Kyiv, Ukraine tied a career-high in goals (21) and established new personal bests in assists (24) and points (45) in 71 games this season.
The six-foot-four 220-pound left-winger added 63 penalty minutes and finished third on the team with a plus-minus rating of plus-8. He'll make $1.575 million next season, $2.24 million in 2008-09 and $2.5 million in 2009-10. Ponikarovsky has 120 career points (54-66) in 268 games with Toronto. The Leafs selected him in the fourth round (87th overall) of the 1998 draft.

The Philadelphia Flyers have locked up winger Scottie Upshall for the next two seasons.The 23-year old will be paid $1.2 million in 2007-08 and $1.25 million in 2008-09.
Upshall was acquired along with Ryan Parent and a pair of draft picks from the Nashville Predators in February for Peter Forsberg. Upshall recorded six goals and seven assists in 18 games with the Flyers last season.

well buffalo played the same old game, like they did against the 2 NY team... But ottowa made them pay  :no:

they'd better straighten up....

Fast!  :beer:

They aren't going to get away with that against ottawa like they barely did against us.

My god this Buffalo team has a knack for tying games with under 10 seconds left!

I once said the day a Euro captain lifts the Cup is the day I stop watching the NHL.

Game's over for me.

wow....I cant friggen belive the Ottawa/Buffalo series...Jeez...Ottawa has never swept a series in franchise history...Come on Buffalo dont let it happen

I think the series is over in 4. Buffalo looks like the walking dead. They barely got away with it against the Rangers not happening with Ottawa.

You're right... But you keep saying barley like it was closer than it was with the rangers... Its not like we beat them in double OT in game 7  :hihi:


This buffalo team really choked though... Last nights game was the most painful game i've ever watched... Helluva time to get shutout for the first time all season...

If Buffalo wins game 4, I'm confident they'll win game 5. That being said, they've looked pretty bad this series. Although they played good enough to steal either game 2 or game 3. 0-for-18 on the powerplay means you're going to lose the series. I'm not reading to concede defeat but I'm not expecting too much.

Even if they get swept, it was a great year to be a Sabres fan.

It was though! We hold on to games two and 5 and we win 4-1. there were 5 one goal games. You can't get any closer then that.

They really have though. Last nights game was awful they were just running around looking like they didn't have a clue.

In that case you can say they barley avoided a game 7....

Either way it was a great series and i honestly hope for a rematch next year thats just as good.

wow detroit killed anaheim at home...whats that all about? : ok:

Detroit vs. Ottawa.  Fucking unbelievable.

Goodbye NHL, you've lost this fan.

It's a shame. Really.

I honestly feel like someone has taken a friend away from me. I've admittedly become bitter and angry at those who took my friend away from me. I'm also frusterated with those who still follow this current product which, in my opinion, is a shadow of it's former self.

Hockey was my hobby. It was my pastime. It was almost my identity.

All my girlfriends used to joke that it was all work, hockey or sex with me. All other conversations need to be had with someone else.

As I mentioned in another thread - it was never about the fighting, for me.

Hockey was the last great sport. The last sport that had not been corrupted by greed and selfishness. Players were smart and thoughtful and respectful of both each other and their fans.

Hockey was played by men. Tough men who would do whatever it took to win a game. It was played with passion and emotion and was, of course, violent. The fights were driven by that will to win at all costs. Fisticuffs were simply a byproduct of the intensity shown on the ice.

Then came the "systems" and the over-coaching. The league took a turn for the worse when the coaches started dictating everything that happened on the ice - rather than letting the play being reactionary. The players own will to succeed was being replaced by a schedule of where they needed to be and when. Now, you make a mistake on the ice, the coach upstairs tells the coach on the bench, and next shift, if you even get to play on it, you don't make that mistake. Teams don't need 5 or 6 coaches and it shouldn't be allowed. You should be able to only have 1 head coach and 1 assistant on the bench. No contact to the guys upstairs during the game. Now, teams have monitors on the bench! That is fucking ridiculous. Coaches like Bowman, Lemaire, Hitchcock win, and it has ruined the game. In minor, junior, and youth hockey, they don't teach kids skill anymore: they teach them systems.

The final nail in the coffin of the NHL was the induction of these new rules which have all but officially removed any chance of diversion from the standards and practices of the new NHL.

This playoff year has shown like no other that the parity that once existed in the NHL is gone. It is now impossible for a less-skilled but harder-working team to triumph over a talented but delicate unit. Power plays and penalty killing rule the day. Teams will now be built around these two factors alone. We're one step closer to a 60 minute shootout.

Detroit should be embarrassed. No one stuck up for a teammate when they went after his head? In a 4-0 game?  Unbelievable.

What is really sad is that the Spurs-Suns NBA series has more passion and hatred between players than any of the NHL post season series of the last few seasons. I have been watching Spurs-Suns, and remembering back some time ago when the NHL had this kind of REAL post-season attitude to it.

David Stern is a genius for giving Gary Bettman to the NHL willingly. He has me, a lifelong NHL and Hockey fan watching NBA postseason over the NHL. NEVER in my life before this season would I even think of entertaining anything other than the NHL postseason. The "brains" of the new NHL have done a great job of showing me about other sports other than the NHL, about playing with real purpose and drive (not to forget passion). Other than the hope that the Ducks might do something, I really see no need to watch anymore of the NHL postseason.

i dunno man :-\

Lidstrom and Alfredson are both amazing players. and its not like those 2 teams never hit or anything, they are playing amazing hockey! as for the Det/Ana series...its far from over yet :nervous:

Yeah, what the hell are you talking about?

I still think Anaheim beats them

Knowing the NHL, Pronger and/or Niedermayer will be suspended for the remainder of the playoffs, completely derailing the Ducks.  Side note: if Holmstrom would have had his helmet on correctly, there is far less severe of an injury, if any.  Helmets do no good if you have your chinstrap hanging down to the collar of your jersey.

Well then leave already.... Let us who still like the game enjoy it...