The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Jan 10, 2008 21:33:32 GMT -5
Some great Ovechkin-speak: "I'm happy I stay here."
Also interesting to see that he negotiated the contract himself, without an agent. Kudos to him, and I'm glad he's staying in DC!
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SFOHoya
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Post by SFOHoya on Jan 13, 2008 6:13:45 GMT -5
Habs 7 wins Bruins 7 losses
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jan 13, 2008 13:23:23 GMT -5
Habs 7 wins Bruins 7 losses Nice. Do you root for al-qaeda too? #$@@^@%^@%^
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SFOHoya
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Post by SFOHoya on Jan 23, 2008 0:21:37 GMT -5
Habs 7 wins Bruins 7 losses Nice. Do you root for al-qaeda too? #$@@^@%^@%^ ... and the beat down continues. How's that Thornton trade working out for you guys?
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jan 23, 2008 9:47:55 GMT -5
There is no arguning the beat-down, so I won't. It is what it is. Boston just never showed up last night.
I maintain however:
1. As much as that trade has been derided, for good reasons, it is actually working out pretty well for the Bruins. Thornton was producing points in Boston, but not leadership. They definitely took a plunge backward without him, but are coming back now as a more balanced team and a quality playoff contender again. (better coaching and better front office have helped too).
2. Boston has been killed by injuries this year. They are just beginning to get healthy again (excluding the loss of their best player for most of the season, and their best goal scorer since December) and if they get do healthy for the playoffs, I'm pretty sure they'd like another crack at the Canadiens. Not an excuse for last night -- nothing excuses that lack of effort -- but I'd definitely like a shot at the Habs in a best of seven with the full complement of the B's roster available.
3. Anyone who is not a Quebecer and roots for Montreal is a complete tool. (Actually, most Quebecers are complete tools too, but for different reasons).
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Jan 24, 2008 21:58:28 GMT -5
How bad is the Southeast division? Division leading Carolina has the same number of points as the Rangers, who are last in the Atlantic division. If the division leader didn't get an automatic top-3 seed none of the Southeast teams would be in the playoffs right now.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Jan 24, 2008 22:22:01 GMT -5
Nifty goal from Rick Nash. Phoenix Coyotes fans sure get to see some great goals scored against their team (they were the victims of Ovechkin's great goal).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2008 11:11:16 GMT -5
How bad is the Southeast division? Division leading Carolina has the same number of points as the Rangers, who are last in the Atlantic division. If the division leader didn't get an automatic top-3 seed none of the Southeast teams would be in the playoffs right now. This is true virtually every year since the 6-division format was introduced to the NHL. I'd venture to say I watch as much hockey as anyone on this board, probably more (god bless the Center Ice package). But you don't need to watch as much as me to see a horribly disturbing trend rearing its ugly head. A trend defined by a decrease in scoring, an increase in pre-lockout-style clutch-and-grab hockey, clogged neutral zones, packs of skaters in front of their own net... ... the NHL is heading right down that road to crappy hockey once again. The lockout hasn't solved anything. I'm beyond Editeded.
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Post by ][-][ 0 `/ /-\ 5 on Jan 25, 2008 21:36:28 GMT -5
Caps are playing out of their mind right now under Boudreau. And the guy is loaded with quotes, after the caps finally got back to .500 he says, "we've officially reached mediocrity." We should be able to stay strong especially once we finally get Chris Clark back.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Jan 26, 2008 11:49:28 GMT -5
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Jan 26, 2008 15:12:01 GMT -5
How bad is the Southeast division? Division leading Carolina has the same number of points as the Rangers, who are last in the Atlantic division. If the division leader didn't get an automatic top-3 seed none of the Southeast teams would be in the playoffs right now. Yes this year the south east is horrible and has never been a premier division but you have to remember that it produced back to back cup winners in 05 and 06. every so often the division will produce a hot team that can be very dangerous for the big boys.
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Post by FrostbackHoya on Jan 26, 2008 21:55:27 GMT -5
Buff -- no way, man. The game is way faster, with more scoring, than pre-lockout. Your team just can't score -- the league is way better.
Having just watched the Hoyas beat WVU at a bar where the rest of the screens were on the young guns game, whoever suggested the outdoor game be the All-Star game needs to be no longer allowed to watch hockey. Horrible. The outdoor game needs to be once every two years, on New Year's Day. Montreal/Boston at Molson Stadium. Return game in Foxboro? Toronto could host a game at Varsity or BMO Field, but neither is huge. Minnesota needs in on this action. Detroit? Chicago? Calgary? How 'bout a non-league city -- Winnipeg, Quebec City during Carnaval, somewhere in north New England (lake hockey in Vermont or Maine?)
The outdoor game is just too much fun to pass up.
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Post by FrostbackHoya on Jan 26, 2008 22:03:13 GMT -5
Now that the Maple Laufs have officially thrown in the towel, does anyone see Sundin moving to a contender? Detroit and Ottawa won't do it, as their strength is up the middle. But... my Flames could use a 2nd premier centre. So could about 5 teams in the East who think they have a shot at the Sens. What do you think the chances are that Mats gets traded at the deadline, and what do you think the price will be? I say the chances are better than 50/50 if Cliffy guarantees that he'll match the best bid at the end of the season, and I think Mats could go to anyone in the West who thinks they can contend -- SJ, Ducks, Canucks, Flames, Minny, Colorado, to name six.
What say y'all?
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Jan 26, 2008 23:10:45 GMT -5
Another Flames fan here? Sweet!
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jan 27, 2008 11:26:58 GMT -5
I think the only chance Sundin isn't moved somewhere is if he nixes the deal himself, which he can do if it's not a place he wants to go.
I don't know what the price would be and haven't any idea what places he would and wouldn't want to go, but I've read at least one article that mentions Philly and Calgary as front runners.
As a Bruins fan, obviously, I wouldn't want him to go to Ottawa, but honestly? How much fun would that be! I think everyone in Toronto might shoot themselves if that deal took place. ;D
Don't see it happening intra-division, but stranger trades have taken place.
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Post by FrostbackHoya on Jan 27, 2008 22:00:26 GMT -5
Another Flames fan here? Sweet! Born & raised in Calgary. My dad had seasons in the Corral when Atlanta first moved to town (last row... that would be row 17! God that place was tiny.) Grew up on Lanny, Nilsson, heartbreak losses to the Oilers, finally winning the Cup. My shinny jersey is a Theo Fleury pre-black stripe (early '90s?) given to me by a bunch of pals. The Flames may not be favourites this year, but we're in with a chance...
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Jan 28, 2008 0:12:27 GMT -5
Nice! The city I come from doesn't have a team, so as a young hockey fan I basically had my choice as far as who would be my favorite. I can't remember why I chose Calgary, but I do have fond memories of Theo Fleury and Mike Vernon back in the day.
Nowadays I cheer for the Caps in the East and the Flames in the West. Thankfully I don't have to worry about them playing each other too much!
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SFOHoya
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Post by SFOHoya on Jan 29, 2008 19:12:31 GMT -5
There is no arguning the beat-down, so I won't. It is what it is. Boston just never showed up last night. I maintain however: 1. As much as that trade has been derided, for good reasons, it is actually working out pretty well for the Bruins. Thornton was producing points in Boston, but not leadership. They definitely took a plunge backward without him, but are coming back now as a more balanced team and a quality playoff contender again. (better coaching and better front office have helped too). 2. Boston has been killed by injuries this year. They are just beginning to get healthy again (excluding the loss of their best player for most of the season, and their best goal scorer since December) and if they get do healthy for the playoffs, I'm pretty sure they'd like another crack at the Canadiens. Not an excuse for last night -- nothing excuses that lack of effort -- but I'd definitely like a shot at the Habs in a best of seven with the full complement of the B's roster available. 3. Anyone who is not a Quebecer and roots for Montreal is a complete tool. (Actually, most Quebecers are complete tools too, but for different reasons). 1. 24 cups to what... like 4 or so? You get 2 more shots at us this season. Claude Julien is our secret weapon. 2. You're just jealous you're not a Quebecois. Must be the cold winters without a good hockey team to cheer for... and our strippers are better. Vive le Quebec libre!
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jan 29, 2008 21:48:24 GMT -5
Ahh, yes, well. You have, in fact, hit on the one thing that Montreal (or all of Quebec, for that matter) has going for it. The strippers are, indeed, well worth the trip. But "Vive Le Quebec Libre???" Yeah, how's that workin' out for ya'?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2008 9:23:20 GMT -5
Frostback - seriously? You think it is still all those things you mentioned post-lockout? I gotta disagree. It is starting to trend backwards.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have one goalie with EIGHT shutouts already. Tim Thomas is an all-star. Taking the Sabres out of the equation, I've seen too many games via Center/Centre Ice this season with packs of players in the neutral zone; hordes of players in their defensive zone collapsing closer to their goalie, keeping more and more shots out; refs allowing more clutching and grabbing than they have in the past two seasons...
... the numbers back me up, albeit only slightly. But to me its a trend downward. I'm looking a few years down the line at this rate, and I'm seeing an NHL that is back in late 90's clutch-and-grab mode.
Unless the NHL does something. Soon. I almost don't mind that kind of hockey during the playoffs (that's what makes it such an intense spectacle, but even then I'd like to see more called and the game opened up a bit more), but during the regular season... I dunno. I'm starting to get worried.
One point that we can save for off-season discussion... the MONSTER paydays players are getting. If the cap stops growing (and its growth is bound to slow, if it hasn't already), the NHL is in for a bit of a monetary shock.
As for strippers, five words: The Sundowner, Niagara Falls, Ontario.
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