The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Sept 18, 2009 21:01:25 GMT -5
With the preseason underway and some big news today, I figured it was time to get this thread going. The big news today is that the Bruins look to have traded Phil Kessel to the Leafs in return for two first round picks and a second round pick: sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4485942
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Sept 19, 2009 11:30:08 GMT -5
And the Boston Bruins continue their long tradition of frustrating and Editeding off their fans. I still think the Bruins have a great team without Kessel, but good lord, it's like their TRYING to test our patience.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Sept 19, 2009 12:57:21 GMT -5
And the Boston Bruins continue their long tradition of frustrating and Editeding off their fans. I still think the Bruins have a great team without Kessel, but good lord, it's like their TRYING to test our patience. Yeah I see the frustration, it would Edited me off a lot too if the Caps let a guy like Semin slip through especially to a divisional opponent. But you have to feel good about the future. The Bs now have four first round picks the next two years and Three second rounders. There have got to be at least 2 top talent NHLers from those 7 picks. And those First rounders are from the leafs so there is a pretty good chance they will be in the lottery. Looking forward to seeing a Caps team with only 4 NHL forwards (no first liners and only one second line guy) take on a Chicago team with almost a complete roster out there tonight. If the Caps dont get slaughtered id begin to rethink all those "Blackhawks for the cup" cheers out there.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Sept 19, 2009 22:40:04 GMT -5
And the Boston Bruins continue their long tradition of frustrating and Editeding off their fans. I still think the Bruins have a great team without Kessel, but good lord, it's like their TRYING to test our patience. Yeah I see the frustration, it would Edited me off a lot too if the Caps let a guy like Semin slip through especially to a divisional opponent. But you have to feel good about the future. The Bs now have four first round picks the next two years and Three second rounders. There have got to be at least 2 top talent NHLers from those 7 picks. And those First rounders are from the leafs so there is a pretty good chance they will be in the lottery. Looking forward to seeing a Caps team with only 4 NHL forwards (no first liners and only one second line guy) take on a Chicago team with almost a complete roster out there tonight. If the Caps dont get slaughtered id begin to rethink all those "Blackhawks for the cup" cheers out there. scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290919004
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Sept 24, 2009 18:42:34 GMT -5
Gretzky has quit as Coyotes coach.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Sept 29, 2009 14:33:22 GMT -5
Ok, well the season starts this week (finally). Here are a couple of media rankings. The first from a mentally challenged dog at ESPN (actually that is mean, even a mentally challenged dog wouldnt put the lightning as the 10 BEST team in the NHL- the NHL not the AHL!) sports.espn.go.com/nhl/powerrankingThe next one is from the guys at Puck Prospectus based only on their VUKOTA system. If you like stats this is for you www.puckprospectus.com/rankings/(OK that ones not done, but the Blackhawks are the only team left so I have a good idea of who is #1) So there you have it. Who you guys got? I dont think the Wings will dominate the post season as they have the past two years, though I think they will make it to the second round. I think Philly, Boston, and Washington are the teams to beat in the East, with Washington the greatest potential but the most questions remaining. Chicago and San Jose are the top of the West, with Detroit Calgary and Vancouver just below them. Overall I think those eight teams I mentioned are the best teams in the league by far, with Carolina and Pittsburgh the next closest. There were a lot of big moves made this off season, but i think many teams made moves for big names but not the right players for their teams. Just like last year I dont think the playoffs will be set until the final games are played and I think it will be even closer this year with a rotating group of teams at the bottom of the playoffs the whole year in both conferences. Presidents trophy: Either Boston or San Jose, I havent decided, though I am leaning toward Boston. Reg. Season East: Boston, their division is actually weaker, in my opinion, than the SE this year Reg. Season West: Chicago, it is theirs to lose. Stanley Cup Finals: Chicago, Washington Cup Winners: Washington (gotta be a homer here, but I think they will be too powerful on offense and on the PK) Finally, I reserve the right to totally disavow anything I just wrote if I am shown to be complete wrong.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Sept 29, 2009 15:09:22 GMT -5
Shall we have a little wager on the season series, galt?
Say, loser has to display the winner's team avatar for the playoffs?
We could extend the bet into the playoffs should the Bruins and Caps get there to meet each other (I assume NOTHING in October).
Loser of a potential playoff series has to display said avatar for a month.
I think the Caps will win the season series, but I'll make the bet anyway. Playoffs (should they happen) are another matter altogether.
I don't disagree too much with your assessment, but a few quibbles:
- East: Boston and the Caps are two great teams, but we really shouldn't discount the ability of the - you know - Stanley Cup champions to be back at or near the top of the conference. I know they had to rally at the end of the season just to even get in, but they were pretty beat up. If healthy, they're a great team still.
- East: Philly has potential, but I don't believe in them yet. They'll make the playoffs, but I don't think they'll be a top team. I bet they don't win the division or even have first round home ice.
- West: On paper, San Jose should continue to be the regular season juggernaut they've always been since they got Joey T. However, that means a whole truckload of nothing when they go out early again. Still, they're probably odds on favorite to win the Presidents Cup. I think there is too much competition for that winner to come out of the East (Jebus, did I really just say that???)
- Outside of Detroit, San Jose and Chicago, I'm not seeing a whole lot of strength in the West, but it usually takes me a while to get up to speed on the Western conference.
- Montreal will miss the playoffs, finish near or at the bottom of the league and I will laugh my little (big) schadenfreude ass off.
- Alexei Kovalev will continue to be a giant wuss with the Senators and before long will demand a trade to a league where no one hits anyone else.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Sept 29, 2009 15:59:51 GMT -5
Predictions for the season: I will continue to know much less about hockey than most of you, but I will continue to watch more hockey than 98% of the people here in Florida.
And finally, the season will end with my Devils disappointing me yet again.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Sept 29, 2009 17:13:21 GMT -5
Shall we have a little wager on the season series, galt? Say, loser has to display the winner's team avatar for the playoffs? We could extend the bet into the playoffs should the Bruins and Caps get there to meet each other (I assume NOTHING in October). Loser of a potential playoff series has to display said avatar for a month. I think the Caps will win the season series, but I'll make the bet anyway. Playoffs (should they happen) are another matter altogether. Hmmm, ill have to think about that. If you were a PIT fan I would never even consider it, I would rather cut a finger off than display that stupid flightless bird on any thing that others can see (even if they may very well never see me in person). See here is the thing, I agree with you on those things, and I think this is what bothered me all Off Season. No one really go any better. Teams got worse- Montreal, Rangers, NJ (Only because their system will be 10 years out of date), but no one seemed to get hugely better. I think that this season will be more about which teams grew more. We saw that PIT had grown a lot since they lost in the finals and learned how to fight for a win. The Caps and B's are pretty much the same teams its just a matter of who can put together the better season (youre right that the play off are completely different). I dont think PIT will be able to do any better in the regular season as they did last year. Mostly because they havent gotten any better (I guess they are more healthy and Malkin and Crosby are always dangerous, but they didnt seem to make any big time acquisitions), while Philly potentially has. I think they will mess around at the edge of the play offs and need a solid end of the season to get in. I dont mean to write them off, but I am not sold on them having gotten any "better" than the team who played in the regular season last year. I guess the biggest move they made is their coach. Maybe a full season with Bylsma will be the difference...who knows. I think it will be interesting to see which teams are most effected by the Olymics. The Caps will have (probably) Ovie, Semin (locks) Fleisman (for Czech Repub.), Backstrom (for Sweden), and maybe Varlamov for Russia and Green for Canada. With Russia and Canada so stacked and an almost guaranteed final between the two, how will players on the losing team fair when they return to NHL play. Will it motivate them and refocus them on the Cup or will they be put off and burned out by defeat? I cant see it devestating a team unless someone goes down. I would be most worried about goalies, especially Thomas (sorry Boz) playing in those extra games. Can they play an extra ten games or so?
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Sept 29, 2009 18:05:58 GMT -5
Oh, right. The Olympics. Forgot all about those. I think NHL teams are going to be very careful and Gary Bettman is going to have a big say (even if just behind the scenes) about the extent to which NHL stars, goalies in particular, will play. I expect Miller and Thomas to be the two US goalies, and I fully expect them to split time, even when they get into medal rounds (assuming the US doesn't pull a 1998 on everyone). To be honest, if one goalie gets on a real hot streak and plays more than the other, I think it's more likely to be Miller rather than Thomas. Plus, I think Tuukka Rask is ready this year to be a solid backup, and give Thomas more time off this year than Manny Fernandez was able to last year. I could be wrong about that. Skaters are a little less of a concern. Potential injury is always an issue, but I wouldn't expect them to get worn out in the second half because of that tournament. Maybe a grandpa like Mike Modano, but the most of them should be fine. In any case, I'm up for the bet if you are. Here's to a good season opener tomorrow night.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Sept 29, 2009 18:48:41 GMT -5
I don't think the Olympics will affect the Caps too much. Ovechkin's simply a machine - based on what we've seen he could play 120 games a season and still be the best player on the ice. Varlamov is unlikely to get much playing time with Russia. Anyways, if Theodore isn't traded by then and Neuvirth keeps progressing, the Caps will have three starter-caliber goalies by that point in the season, so Varlamov could get some rest.
What's amazing about the Caps is they have one of the best teams in the NHL, but their AHL team is also LOADED. The Caps have a real boatload of talent under contract, and it's all pretty young.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Sept 29, 2009 19:02:27 GMT -5
Yeah I see what both of you are saying about the Olympics. And yeah Boz they will probably keep goalie starts under check and the like, but there is always the possibility of injury. I guess with the caps I wanted to point out that the best teams have guys who arent canadian or russian or american who will be playing for their home coutries and that all thise players (except Ovie) will get tired
Also, Stig, Hershey is amazingly loaded but it has become almost a problem for the Caps in that many of those guys are coming to the end of their two way deals, and every time they have to pass through waivers they risk getting picked up (like chris bourque who is on waivers as we speak). Also there are a few guys who will be RFA or UFAs who are down there but if were in like the Phoenix or Ottawa system would be with the NHL club. It might be hard to resign those guys if they can go elsewhere and play with the big club.
A loaded AHL team is the way that Detroit was able to be so consistent all these years. Apparently at the draft this year Detroit's GM went up to the Caps GM and was like, "what are you doing? you're drafting all the guys we wanted!" the caps GM was like "that was the idea" (or something to that effect, boy i feel like Hifi right now telling a story no one cares about)
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Oct 1, 2009 22:01:36 GMT -5
Congrats to the Caps. A great, well-played opener.
As for my team, well, they played pretty well for two periods, just couldn't capitalize on some good chances. Credit to Jose, but I think the Bruins will finish more of those chances as they get their legs under them.
Speaking of which, let's work on the conditioning, eh fellas? Boston came out completely flat in the third period. To the Caps credit, they took advantage of that and put the game away.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Oct 2, 2009 12:41:24 GMT -5
Yeah the game last night was well played by both teams. I think the only difference was that the Caps chances got through and the Bruin's didnt. I would love to see seven games between the two teams, that would be one hell of a series.
Also good for the Avs winning after the Sakic ceremony, now the question is who's number do they have to retire to get their next win?
All the games last night were pretty good (watched some of the Canadian games online), so here to the season staying this exciting (and Brooks Laich having many more two goal games!)
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Oct 6, 2009 21:26:36 GMT -5
Even though I didn't like the end result, that Flyers-Caps game was absolutely terrific.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Oct 7, 2009 9:50:29 GMT -5
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Oct 7, 2009 10:54:56 GMT -5
Much as I now wish you had added a NSFW label to that link, that's pretty funny.
;D
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Oct 7, 2009 11:48:57 GMT -5
Much as I now wish you had added a NSFW label to that link, that's pretty funny. ;D Oh my bad, Hope i didnt get you in trouble ;D wish things like this went on a verizon (although i go to games with my dad so it might get awkward)
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Oct 10, 2009 19:39:12 GMT -5
If I start bitching and whining and panicking right now, would that make me a typical MEdited sports fan?
I think it would, so I won't.
But Good Lord, Boston. Let's get it together, shall we?
Update: Well. I guess they listened to me.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Oct 14, 2009 9:56:13 GMT -5
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