If anyone forgot, The puck drops tonight!

laurenskye · Post by **laurenskye** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:37 pm

I thought that would be the Wings biggest problem but Legace has been playing out of his mind (if you saw that save Friday night you'll know what I mean, and if you didn't I suggest you find a video of it).

I don't think Osgood is going to get the starting job any time soon.

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:40 pm

I swear that the Leafs and the NHL looked at my day planner and scheduled every game on days/nights that I'd be unable to view them.

So far I've seen in total, maybe 2 games, with only one of them being watched from start to finish. The other game is comprised of watching parts of a few contests.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:54 pm

It's because you wear pink shirts. The NHL despises pink shirts.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:00 pm

Airdog wrote:So far I've seen in total, maybe 2 games, with only one of them being watched from start to finish. The other game is comprised of watching parts of a few contests.

You didn't miss much Saturday night, Rob. Belfour looked every bit his age in the loss to Philly.

Lindros is having a great start, though, and I'm sure his goal Saturday night was pretty sweet considering his personal prick, Bob Clarke, was sitting in the skybox at the ACC. And where the hell did Tucker develop such a nose for goal and offense?

Take care,
PK

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:04 pm

laurenskye wrote:I thought that would be the Wings biggest problem but Legace has been playing out of his mind (if you saw that save Friday night you'll know what I mean, and if you didn't I suggest you find a video of it).

I don't think Osgood is going to get the starting job any time soon.

He was a stone wall Friday night. I am not that thrilled about Osgood coming back. I hope your right,it's been fun watching Manny work.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:28 pm

If Goaltending is in demand and D. Hasek is playing out of his mind at 40, maybe Saint P. Roy could come out of retirement

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 7:41 pm

JackDog wrote:
laurenskye wrote:I thought that would be the Wings biggest problem but Legace has been playing out of his mind (if you saw that save Friday night you'll know what I mean, and if you didn't I suggest you find a video of it).

I don't think Osgood is going to get the starting job any time soon.
He was a stone wall Friday night. I am not that thrilled about Osgood coming back. I hope your right,it's been fun watching Manny work.

Nothing wrong with Legace when you're named "Defensive" player of the week. PK, your wish for a better goalie may come true as Ty Conklin got sent down to the AHL for better conditioning. I still think the problem with the Oilers is with some of the newer players like Peca who was publicly told by his coach to step it up.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 7:59 pm

10spro wrote:Nothing wrong with Legace when you're named "Defensive" player of the week. PK, your wish for a better goalie may come true as Ty Conklin got sent down to the AHL for better conditioning. I still think the problem with the Oilers is with some of the newer players like Peca who was publicly told by his coach to step it up.

Yeah, but the Oil recalled Morrison from the damn ECHL! Talk about a big jump. We'll see.

There are rumors that the Oil is interested in Kolzig. But what are they willing to give Washington in return?

Take care,
PK

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:38 pm

The Hurricane just beat the Sens to make the last undefeated team the Preds. Dare I say a Cup for the Preds? No way, the season is too long and they still have to prove themselves, but we'll see.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:50 am

Gerber stood on his head in the Sens-Canes game last night. I watched it, and the score should have been 6-2 Ottawa. The save Gerber made on an all-alone, point-blank Alfie with 1.5 seconds left in the game was superb.

This is the first time this season I've watched Carolina, and I'll watch them again. Very fun team. Too bad there were maybe 7,000 people in the building to watch them play one of the top two teams in the NHL. There were oceans of empty seats.

Carolina is yet another Southern market that doesn't give a sh*t about or deserve hockey.

Take care,
PK

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:45 am

I actually really like Carolina's group of forwards -- a real solid blend of experience with guys like BrindAmour and Whitney and youngsters like Justin Williams, Radim Vrbata, and the terribly underrated Eric Staal. I got to see him play quite a bit when I lived in NC 2 years ago, and he is a real up and comer. He gets no pub playing in Carolina, and of all the acclaimed players in the 2003 draft, is there anyone who looks better at the moment than Staal?

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:52 am

pk500 wrote:
10spro wrote:Nothing wrong with Legace when you're named "Defensive" player of the week. PK, your wish for a better goalie may come true as Ty Conklin got sent down to the AHL for better conditioning. I still think the problem with the Oilers is with some of the newer players like Peca who was publicly told by his coach to step it up.
Yeah, but the Oil recalled Morrison from the damn ECHL! Talk about a big jump. We'll see.

There are rumors that the Oil is interested in Kolzig. But what are they willing to give Washington in return?

Take care,
PK

I wouldn't think they'd have to give too much in return at this point to land Kolzig. There are other options out there as well including Biron or Noronen in Buffalo. The Sabres are going to deal one of them for sure with the way Ryan Miller is playing. Steve Shields is still a UFA as well and apparently has drawn some interest.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:00 am

Naples39 wrote:He gets no pub playing in Carolina, and of all the acclaimed players in the 2003 draft, is there anyone who looks better at the moment than Staal?

Probably not. Although Richards and Carter will be stars in Philly, and Phaneuf is arguably the Flames' best defenseman right now. Vanek has seven assists in his first eight games with Buffalo, but he hasn't scored yet.

Staal is damn good. He impressed me last night.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:02 am

tjung0831 wrote:I wouldn't think they'd have to give too much in return at this point to land Kolzig. There are other options out there as well including Biron or Noronen in Buffalo. The Sabres are going to deal one of them for sure with the way Ryan Miller is playing. Steve Shields is still a UFA as well and apparently has drawn some interest.

Tim:

I agree.

I'd be more interested in Biron or Noronen than Shields. I think Biron is a pretty underrated goalie who might benefit from a change in scenery.

Take care,
PK

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:13 am

pk500 wrote:And where the hell did Tucker develop such a nose for goal and offense?

1995-96 Fredericton AHL 74 29 64 93
1994-95 Kamloops WHL 64 64 73 137
1993-94 Kamloops WHL 66 52 88 140

1993-94 - Memorial Cup - Stafford Memorial Trophy (MVP)

Everywhere else but the NHL

Naw, he's usually a high teens to low twenty goal scorer and he's never really worried me.

I'd much rather see Belak get the boots right now and move up one of the younger defencemen at this point (Carlos C. or Andy W., but probably preferably Andy W., because Carlos is considered more of an offensive defenceman than defensive).

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:28 am

pk500 wrote:
Staal is damn good. He impressed me last night.

Take care,
PK

Don't forget there are three more Staal's on the way. Marc is with the Rangers and was very impressive during the preseason. I believe Jordan is eligible for the 2006 entry draft and is supposed to be a 1st rounder possibly a top 5 pick. Jared is the youngest and is said to be the most talented. They are going to be the modern day version of the Sutters and Hunters.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:31 pm

Nashville keeps rolling and another tough OT loss for the Pens. You wonder how much this losing streak is affecting Crosby mentally.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:10 pm

10spro wrote:Nashville keeps rolling and another tough OT loss for the Pens. You wonder how much this losing streak is affecting Crosby mentally.

Yet again, the Penguins manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. 3-2 lead, 2 minutes left, so of course Gonchar takes a penalty that allows the Panthers to tie the game, then Lemieux takes the penalty that allows them to win it. However, if Crosby's play tonight is indicative of his mental state, I hope he plays like they are on a losing streak every game this year. His skating was phenomenal tonight, he actually managed to draw SIX penalties, all because of his skating ability and desire to get to the net.

BTW, Thibault sucks, the Pens should have had a shutout going near the end of the game. Those first two goals he allowed couldn't have been any softer.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 1:26 am

Not just the Pens, imagine how Oilers' fans feel as the AVS score 2 on them including the eventual winning goal with just 47 seconds left in the game.

Philly committed too many dumb penalties, losing to Montreal, and something tells me that P. Forsgerg is in D. Hitchcock's dog house as he was benched for the first 14 minutes of the 3rd period and is yet to score for the Flyers.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 11:51 am

10spro wrote:Philly committed too many dumb penalties, losing to Montreal, and something tells me that P. Forsgerg is in D. Hitchcock's dog house as he was benched for the first 14 minutes of the 3rd period and is yet to score for the Flyers.

I think you are reading into the game too much and creating something that is not there. Peter Forsberg had 17 minutes of ice time last night, which is only a little lower then usual because the Flyers were shorthanded so much in the 3rd period and Forsberg doesn't play on PK. Granted, last night was definitely his worst game of the season, but last night was the first game of the season he which he didn't record a point and he is still leading the team in points. I mean the guy has assisted on almost 50% of the team's goals. People are making way too much of the fact that he hasn't scored....just be patient.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 1:06 pm

10spro wrote:Not just the Pens, imagine how Oilers' fans feel as the AVS score 2 on them including the eventual winning goal with just 47 seconds left in the game.

The horror ... the horror.

Edmonton played pretty well -- for about 53 minutes. Still, the Oilers are WAY too sloppy in their end trying to clear the puck, which is deadly when you have a marginal NHL goaltender in net, which definitely is the case with Markkanen.

Furthermore, when the hell are Pronger and Peca going to show up? OK, Pronger is putting in a ton of ice time and can be a stabilizer at times on defense for Edmonton. But he is MIA on offense, with two assists in 10 games.

And Peca is devolving into the "bust" category, game by game. Not only is he not scoring, with just a goal and three assists in 10 games, but entire periods go by when you don't even notice the guy on the ice. It doesn't help that he's skating with the third and fourth lines, though. Maybe MacTavish should switch Peca and Horcoff between the first and third lines and see if that wakes up Peca, because he's done absolutely nothing this season for Edmonton other than that monster hit on Phoenix defenseman Keith Ballard last week.

Finally, the longer this drought continues, the more I start to wonder if MacTavish's job is in jeopardy. This losing streak, now at seven games and counting, could cripple the season this early.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 1:11 pm

Naples39 wrote:People are making way too much of the fact that he hasn't scored....just be patient.

Also remember that Forsberg has scored 30 or more goals in a season only twice in his career, and he got 30 on the nose both times.

Forsberg is a great two-way player and amazing passer -- always has been. But this notion that he's a great sniper and should be scoring by the bushel in Philly is misguided.

Even with no goals, Forsberg still is arguably playing better than any Flyer except for Gagne.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:11 pm

pk500 wrote:
10spro wrote:Not just the Pens, imagine how Oilers' fans feel as the AVS score 2 on them including the eventual winning goal with just 47 seconds left in the game.
The horror ... the horror.

Furthermore, when the hell are Pronger and Peca going to show up? OK, Pronger is putting in a ton of ice time and can be a stabilizer at times on defense for Edmonton. But he is MIA on offense, with two assists in 10 games.

Pronger has admitted in an interview that he lost his "intimidation" factor which was his forte in ST Louis. I mean he had a mean streak, Mr Crosscheck I used to call him. With the new NHL rules, many D-men are still learning the ropes of what's allowed, what not, especially when a player is at the crease and you're not allowed to touch him. Many D-men are just too static in that area, hoping that they would not get called for a penalty. In past years, if you were in the crease with Pronger around, he would know you out period.

Peca got ripped publicly by Mactavish already and his play has to pick up definetely. In terms of coach change, wait another dozen games, K. Lowe may panic then...
Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:12 pm

pk500 wrote:
Furthermore, when the hell are Pronger and Peca going to show up? OK, Pronger is putting in a ton of ice time and can be a stabilizer at times on defense for Edmonton. But he is MIA on offense, with two assists in 10 games.

Take care,
PK

That Brewer trade isn't looking too bad right now! Pronger gave an interview on HNIC and said he was struggling with the new rules. He said he doesn't fully understand what he can do and what he can't do just yet and it's affecting his gameplay. Of the Oilers games i've seen, the most amazing thing is that Chris hasn't stood out at all, he always stood out when he was with the Blues. He was very noticeble when on the ice, it just seems like that hasn't been the case with him yet this year. Brewer is at least putting the puck in the net but last time i looked he was -5 but then most of the Blues are on the negative side right now.

rubba19 · Post by **rubba19** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:24 pm

As for goalies, Shields is playing AHL for the Thrashers. They may be the only team with more goaltending needs than the Oilers.

Ollie Kolzig's value will rise in time. Problem is that Brent Johnson won't stand up to 40+ shots per game like Ollie and they have no one after that.

Pronger's problem isn't that he hasn't lost his intimidation factor. He never was a good skater and that is what is killing him. Great passer, poor skater. Blues will eventually make out if they keep Brewer and the other D.

He needs to add about three feet on that already 10-foot stick of his to keep up. He's Derian Hatcher with a much better offensive game.

What's the deal with WAS/BUF being played in Rochester tonight? Circus in town? (...the circus not being the Caps...)