If anyone forgot, The puck drops tonight!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:51 pm

WOW! This just in. BOS traded J. Thornton to SJ. Something had to happen for the Bruins but trading their C?

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:02 pm

Here's a link...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=145158&hubname=

Maybe Boston realized they weren't going anywhere with the squad that they had.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:07 pm

Sully wrote:Here's a link...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=145158&hubname=

Maybe Boston realized they weren't going anywhere with the squad that they had.

Absolute steal for the Sharks.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:19 pm

tjung0831 wrote:
Sully wrote:Here's a link...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=145158&hubname=

Maybe Boston realized they weren't going anywhere with the squad that they had.
Absolute steal for the Sharks.

Probably the Worst deal in my lifetime in Boston sports...Talk about giving up on your team. O'Connell just did that.

The problem with the squad is defense not the offense so maybe he shoudl have gotten some D-men that can play instead of these rookies and that POS Hal Gill.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 12:38 am

Zlax45 wrote:
Probably the Worst deal in my lifetime in Boston sports...Talk about giving up on your team. O'Connell just did that.

The problem with the squad is defense not the offense so maybe he shoudl have gotten some D-men that can play instead of these rookies and that POS Hal Gill.

Or lack of a Goaltender IMO.

laurenskye · Post by **laurenskye** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:49 am

Zlax45 wrote:
tjung0831 wrote:
Sully wrote:Here's a link...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=145158&hubname=

Maybe Boston realized they weren't going anywhere with the squad that they had.
Absolute steal for the Sharks.
Probably the Worst deal in my lifetime in Boston sports...Talk about giving up on your team. O'Connell just did that.

The problem with the squad is defense not the offense so maybe he shoudl have gotten some D-men that can play instead of these rookies and that POS Hal Gill.

I don't know how you can say that when they are in last place. Would you rather have them keep one star player and remain in the cellar or try to rebuild? They had nothing else to trade.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:00 am

laurenskye wrote:
Zlax45 wrote:
tjung0831 wrote: Absolute steal for the Sharks.
Probably the Worst deal in my lifetime in Boston sports...Talk about giving up on your team. O'Connell just did that.

The problem with the squad is defense not the offense so maybe he shoudl have gotten some D-men that can play instead of these rookies and that POS Hal Gill.
I don't know how you can say that when they are in last place. Would you rather have them keep one star player and remain in the cellar or try to rebuild? They had nothing else to trade.

Yea..btu how many games did they lose with a minute left? A ton...They have 5 overtime losses...IF you take those 5 losses and turn them into wins you are right in the thick of things.

The problem with the Bruins is that Mike O'Connell (who never was a head coach in this league unless you count like that 20 game stretch he had when Mike Sullivan was the real coach) told the entire Boston area that the Bruins were all ready to make a run for the Stanley Cup and they were going to get great players with the new Salary Cap and that is the reason why the Bruins have struggled over the years was that Jacobs did not want to overpay for players.

So I call for Mike O'Connell to resign and Jeremy "Moneybags" Jacobs to sell the team and the rink.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:01 am

I saw my first NHL game in HDTV last night

Too bad it was the Flyers

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:07 am

I think there's been a prevailing feeling in Boston that Thornton has underachieved. The guy has scored more than 75 points in a season only once in his career.

And remember, Thornton was considered one of the most sure-fire prospects on his draft day in the last 10 or 15 years. Not as hyped as Crosby or Lindros, but most analysts considered him a lock for superstar, 90-to-100 points-per-season status.

I guess the Bruins didn't think Thornton was worth it at $6.66 million per season. Still, the guy is having a strong year this season with 33 points in 23 games, so there must be something beneath the surface here that we don't know about.

Take care,
PK

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:11 am

Leebo33 wrote:I saw my first NHL game in HDTV last night

Too bad it was the Flyers

My first Hi-Def hockey game was the Pens vs. the Bruins, back near the beginning of the season.

So, the feeling's mutual.

At least you got to see a Flyers win!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:13 pm

For a big Star name, J. Thornton was one of the last restricted agents to be signed prior to the season opening. If I recall, BOS was looking originally for M. Modano as their center man, while the numbers were being thrown around to Thornton. Actually, if my memory doens't fail me, he rejected the original offer by the Bruins.

Once Modano decided to stay put in Dallas, the 5 year deal that Thornton wanted, became a 3 year deal, with a no trade clause in years 2 &3.
The BOs organization is known for being CHEAP over the years and how they signed M. Lapointe the last few seasons for over 3-4 million is beyond me.

Welcome to the new NHL, Lapointe is gone, N.Boynton holds out the 1st dozen games or so and they play with 3 rookies D most of the season and a shaky goaltender. I think there was definitely a certain rift between management and Joe and with their poor record ,something had to be done. I just think that the GM blew it in not getting more in return, like P. Marleau, so to Bruins' fans it feels like robbery.

Although, the 3 former SJ player can contribute immediately (I like B. Stuart), BOS could have asked for more.
Something tells me that Samsonov is next to go...O'Connell better improve his bargaining chip.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:32 pm

#66 was admitted to hospital after irregular heart beat.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=146100&hubname=

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:36 am

Great story with pictures that shows why hockey players are decent, all-around guys:

http://www.edmontonoilers.com/news/index.php?id=205

Take care,
PK

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:27 pm

The fix is on?

Westhead: Odds against Penguins staying put
Dec. 8, 2005. 05:36 AM
RICK WESTHEAD

Considering Sidney Crosby's quick rise to stardom, it's hard to imagine that his No.87 Penguins jersey could be on the discount rack in just a few years.

After all, midway through his rookie season, Crosby has done nearly everything the Penguins could have hoped.

He's neck and neck with Washington's Alexander Ovechkin as the league's top first-year scorer, he's displayed a nice mix of off-ice humility and on-ice chutzpah and his good looks have helped attract the likes of GQ magazine, which last month featured Crosby in an article and photo spread.

Yet Crosby's days in Pittsburgh might be numbered and it has nothing to do with the Penguins languishing in last place in the Eastern Conference with only seven wins in 27 games.

For months, Crosby's teammate and Penguins owner Mario Lemieux has been in a battle with one Las Vegas heavyweight and several Pittsburgh big shots for the right to acquire a licence from the state of Pennsylvania to operate slot machines.

Without the licence, Lemieux argues, the Penguins won't be able to afford to build a new home to replace Mellon Arena, at present the NHL's oldest venue. And without a new, luxury-box-laden arena, the Penguins will be on the move. The only question is where.

A glance at Lemieux's adversaries suggests he faces long odds.

Among those bidding for the slot machine licence are Harrah's Entertainment, the world's largest gaming company, and Alco Parking, the largest operator of parking facilities in the Pittsburgh area. Racetrack and casino operator MTR Gaming Group Inc., with interests across the U.S., is also bidding.

As Lemieux surely has discovered in recent months, things like Stanley Cup rings and All-Star Game appearances matter little in the world of politics. More important are statistics pertaining to who has made the largest political donations and who has the best lobbyists.

There's no question that on that front, the Penguins come up short. The family that operates Forest City Enterprises, a local company that has partnered with Harrah's, has contributed $264,942 (U.S.) to the campaigns of elected officials and committees since 2002, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Penguins, by contrast, have contributed $5,250 through the team's president, Kenneth Sawyer.

Pittsburgh parking magnate Merrill Stabile said in an interview that the Penguins face long odds in winning the slot machine contract and financing for a new arena since city taxpayers already have helped to finance the recent construction of Heinz Field, home of the NFL's Steelers, and the Pirates' PNC Park.

"There's not enough money to pay for everything," Stabile said.

Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy added intrigue to the gaming licence competition when he told reporters in October that the bidding had already been decided.

"It's no secret," Murphy said. "The word is out. The fix is in in Pittsburgh." The mayor declined to elaborate on who would win the licence.

Bidding groups face a Dec.28 deadline to submit their applications to the state and a decision probably won't be announced until next winter.

If the Penguins do pull up stakes, which seems a strong likelihood, a hearty list of cities would covet the last-place club.

Several sports investment bankers who have worked on NHL franchise sales say the most likely candidate cities for their relocation are Houston, Oklahoma City — where the NBA's New Orleans Hornets are playing home games because of Hurricane Katrina — Kansas City and Portland, Ore.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 3:11 pm

Sully wrote:Several sports investment bankers who have worked on NHL franchise sales say the most likely candidate cities for their relocation are Houston, Oklahoma City — where the NBA's New Orleans Hornets are playing home games because of Hurricane Katrina — Kansas City and Portland, Ore.

Oh, great: More markets with a strong hockey history. The Kansas City Scouts were one and done, and do people in Houston even know what hockey is, let alone care about it?

The only city on that list that makes any sense is Portland, as there is no NHL team in the Pacific Northwest.

I'm an American, but I'd much rather see a team in Winnipeg, Hamilton or Quebec City than any of those towns. And why couldn't Toronto have a second team since the New York metro area has three and L.A. has two? The Leafs may claim territorial rights, but damn, Toronto could support a second team.

Take care,
PK

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 3:12 pm

Legalized gambling in PA is a horrible idea and will not benefit PA, according to any studies done by economists. There may be valid fiscal arguments for gambling in PA, but those are pretty much blown away by the manner in which the contract are awarded, the obscene percentages kept by the owners of the licenses, and the additional costs that politicians fail to mention when they talk numbers (increase in traffic, extra police to fight additional crime, jails, etc.). I'm surprised the amounts donated to Rendell and his cronies aren't a lot higher considering that they are basically being given the right to print money. I'm really surprised that more liberals aren't against gambling in PA as it truly is a tax on the poor except the owners of the licenses get to take a nice fat percentage off the top.

If we are going to have legalized gambling anyway, I'd like to see the Penguins benefit much more than Rendell's friends, but that just isn't going to happen.

I only root for the Penguins because I grew up 1 1/2 hours outside Pittsburgh. If they move it's over. I guess that would make me a free agent fan? Flyers? *gulp*

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 3:35 pm

For the league to continue to have the success is having so far with the new CBA, a relocation to Winnipeg or like PK was suggesting another team in Ontario (Hamilton?) would be a better fit for the league. Another possible scenario, if the economics don't work for those cities, how about starting to shrink the number of teams curently in the NHL? Carolina, Florida, Anaheim, maybe Columbus?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 3:59 pm

10spro wrote:For the league to continue to have the success is having so far with the new CBA, a relocation to Winnipeg or like PK was suggesting another team in Ontario (Hamilton?) would be a better fit for the league. Another possible scenario, if the economics don't work for those cities, how about starting to shrink the number of teams curently in the NHL? Carolina, Florida, Anaheim, maybe Columbus?

Even though it's a cold-weather city, you better add Buffalo to that list. The Sabres don't draw nearly as well as some warm-weather markets.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 4:00 pm

Leebo33 wrote:I only root for the Penguins because I grew up 1 1/2 hours outside Pittsburgh. If they move it's over. I guess that would make me a free agent fan? Flyers? *gulp*

OILERS! Then you won't have to worry about Center Ice blackouts.

Take care,
PK

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:38 pm

So...why aren't the Penguins playing Fleury in net instead of Thibault?

The guy looks very shaky and uncertain out there against the Wild tonight.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:22 pm

Dave wrote:So...why aren't the Penguins playing Fleury in net instead of Thibault?

The guy looks very shaky and uncertain out there against the Wild tonight.

Because Fleury himself was shaky the last 2-3 starts he had and you don't want to put too much pressure on the kid yet.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 4:24 pm

Markkanen's glove save was absolutely ridiculous on the open net against Jason Blake of the Islanders in the second period last night. Filthy save!

Too bad the Oil lost.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:16 pm

Man, D. Cloutier is gone for the season. This was supposed to be his breakthrough year and to prove all Canucks fans that he's the real deal. Maybe the R. Luongo rumours will intensify now, and T. Bertuzzi is in one of the packages. Bummer.

snaz16 · Post by **snaz16** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:08 pm

Patrick Lalime is available.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 3:28 am

snaz16 wrote:Patrick Lalime is available.

Yeah, he just cleared waivers and it's down playing in the AHL. Not him. The rookie Alex Auld will do for now for the Canucks, the team will ride him as long as they can, but down the stretch, they will need another top notch Goalie.

Those PENS fans that wanted Eddie O gone, well your wish has come true and will be replaced by former Habs coach Michel Therrien.

And Hockey fans if you want your sport to be represented properly on the next Olympics you can cast your vote with NBC on the bottom right of the website:

http://www.wnbc.com/olympics2006/index/index.html