If anyone forgot, The puck drops tonight!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:42 pm

That's allright PK, I know how excited you cowboys must feel now that the Oils have picked up some depth as the division tightens up.

What can I say, in the end I think EDM and VAN did what they had to do, patching up some holes in the Canucks' case and filling up places in the Oilers' situation. Still EDM is having a big gamble if those players decide to sign someplace else this summer.

Carolina definitely gave too much for M. Recchi and Philly picked up a good boom boom guy in D.Gauthier. Interesting to see this years' tradeline as the CAP became literally the 3rd team player and most GM's kept looking at their books instead of the owners pockets as in the past with NYR, etc.

Another move I wanted to mention is the W. Mitchell to Dallas ( they'll be tough) and M. Keenan resigning O. Jokinen.

Loser teams, WTF are the Leafs thinking in not making some acquisitions if they really think they have some chance at making the playoffs or even better, why didn't they start dumping salary like E. Belfour's as teams were searching for Goaltenders.

And adding an old L. Richardson to an already veteran team?
Let the race for the playoffs begin folks....

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:00 pm

Yeah, that Willie Mitchell deal is a sleeper for Dallas. That pickup makes a strong defense even stronger. Bad news for the rest of the West.

Take care,
PK

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:08 pm

WTF? The Wild traded Mitchell but not Kuba? Wow, they are really throwing in the towel. Sad to see Willie go, I really thought they'd resign him.

What's the scoop on Skoula? Judging from past Wild moves, he must be cheap.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:10 pm

I think the Recchi deal is pretty good for the Canes. A second round pick and two fringe NHLers isn't so bad for a point a game player.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:29 pm

Carolina's GM did what any manager with a chance to win the Cup: To win, you have to roll the dice and give up some assets. K. Kolanos is a very good prospect and the thing that M. Recchi will add to his new team is leadership and experience. But he was -30 or so this season, he's 38 years and who knows what he'll decide to do next season. He's not really expensive, that's a plus, but IMO 3 players fro a veteran it's a bit steep.

Then again, losing E. Cole was a big dissapointment for CAR who was having a great year, so you take a big chance.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:54 pm

10spro wrote:Carolina's GM did what any manager with a chance to win the Cup: To win, you have to roll the dice and give up some assets. K. Kolanos is a very good prospect and the thing that M. Recchi will add to his new team is leadership and experience. But he was -30 or so this season, he's 38 years and who knows what he'll decide to do next season. He's not really expensive, that's a plus, but IMO 3 players fro a veteran it's a bit steep.

Then again, losing E. Cole was a big dissapointment for CAR who was having a great year, so you take a big chance.

Kolanos WAS a great prospect, but after his concussion problems there's a good chance he will never be an NHL regular again. The guy has only scored 4 goals over the last 3 seasons, and 2 other teams have already given up on him. He'll be 25 years old soon and Carolina didn't even see fit to put him on the active roster. He's a project player at best.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:56 pm

Kolanos did absolutely nothing during his tenure this season with Edmonton. The Oil picked him up on waivers from Phoenix and dumped him within less than two months.

The guy had zero points with Edmonton. Nothing.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 3:02 pm

The NW division is getting so tight that even the last place Minesota can easily make the playoffs with not many points separating them from 8th. Heck, my Canucks are driving me nuts, while they patched the D with the trades, now it's the offense not producing. With about 16 games to go, anything can happen in this crazy division.

Here's an article on D. Roloson, PK, and the pressure the poor guy must be feeling.

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/stor ... 65&k=80840

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 3:14 pm

Thanks for the link, man.

Yeah, Rolie is 0-3 as an Oiler. But to be honest, the defense has abandoned him in those losses.

It's almost like the Oilers said to themselves last week, "Phew, we have a frontline goalie now and can relax in our end."

I hope MacTavish lets the team know that's not acceptable before it's too late and the Oil slips out of the playoffs for keeps.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:52 am

It's back to back to back Jack. EDM-VAN. Three games in a row, I don't know if I like this schedule but the playoffs are at stake and Canucks are in a huge slump. PK, your Oilers owned us this year and this next 6 points are huge for both teams. We lose and we can just kiss our chances goodbye and the dismantling of the core players for sure this summer including T. Bertuzzi, Naslund and Morrison.

Injuries have been a bummer but nevertheless the other guys have to step it up. Huge series.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:12 am

10s:

Agreed on all points.

I don't like this unbalanced schedule one bit this year, not even playing every team in the league. And normally I would look at three consecutive games against the same team as folly. But this is a HUGE series over the next three games. Absolutely mega.

If either team sweeps, that could make or break a season for both. May the best team prevail!

Lord, the playoff races in the NHL are so damn tight, and the mainstream media in the U.S. just doesn't care. With about 15 games to go in the regular season, 13 of the 15 teams in the Eastern Conference have a legitimate shot at one of the eight playoff spots, and 11 are legitimate contenders for the eight spots in the West.

I'm ready to get Cup Crazy, whether the Oil makes the playoffs or not.

P.S.: If you missed Samsonov's dipsy-doodle through about three Calgary skaters to set up Horcoff for the game-winner last Thursday night, you missed one of the prettier individual plays I've seen this year in the NHL. Samsonov has been really strong for the Oil so far.

Take care,
PK

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:21 am

I haven't watched a second of hockey since the Penguins' games were blacked out in my market (maybe that is a good thing given their performance...LOL). Are the playoff games on Center Ice? I may tune in to a playoff game or two if there is nothing else on some evening.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:45 am

pk500 wrote:Lord, the playoff races in the NHL are so damn tight, and the mainstream media in the U.S. just doesn't care.

Instead the "Worldwide leader in sports" prefers to shove women's hoops and poker down the throats of viewers.

It was good to see Roli finally get a win for the Oil last week against the Wild.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:48 am

Leebo33 wrote:I haven't watched a second of hockey since the Penguins' games were blacked out in my market (maybe that is a good thing given their performance...LOL). Are the playoff games on Center Ice? I may tune in to a playoff game or two if there is nothing else on some evening.

First round, I believe.

Take care,
PK

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:50 am

pk500 wrote:First round, I believe.

That's cool. I'll check it out.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:53 am

Dave wrote:It was good to see Roli finally get a win for the Oil last week against the Wild.

Roli has played pretty well despite his record. The thing I like about Roli is his stability and dependability. The guy doesn't allow many soft goals. He makes the big save when needed.

Neither Conklin, Markkanen nor Morrison could be counted on to make the big save night after night. They allowed too many soft, five-hole goals or were out of position at key times.

So far I like most of the deals Lowe has made this season. Spacek has been a great addition on the blue line, and Samsonov is a stud. Rolie has solidified a needy position.

The only Lowe deal that is questionable right now in my eyes is Tarnstrom. He's shown flashes, but he hasn't impressed me much. But he has been hampered by injury and illness since arriving from Pittsburgh.

Other than re-signing Rolie and Samsonov, I still think Lowe's biggest offseason question will be Peca. The guy is back down to the fourth line and has a whopping eight goals and 12 assists in 57 games. He's also -3, which isn't that strong for a guy who is supposed to be one of the top defensive forwards in the game.

Peca is a valuable player in some regards due to his faceoff ability, decent-to-strong defensive play and his willingness to hit men much larger than him. But there's no way he's worth just shy of $4 million per year, which is his current salary. He's barely worth half that.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:56 am

Leebo:

Here's the official word on Center Ice's broadcasts of the playoffs:

Q: HOW MANY GAMES CAN I EXPECT TO SEE ON NHL® CENTER ICE®?
A: As an NHL® CENTER ICE® subscriber, you will see up to 40 games a week (from outside your local viewing area) throughout the regular season, select games from the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup® playoffs, plus premier Canadian match-ups including broadcasts from CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.

First two rounds, baby!

Take care,
PK

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:00 pm

Rangers/Flyers have a good one going right now. Playoff atmosphere! Cheapshot on Umberger pissed me off. Flyers pumped in 2 goals after the hit

3-2 after 1. Somehow I don't think the scoring is over

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:07 pm

Yep, watching it too diablo, lots of chances, wide open Hockey which is unusual to see in the eastern conference, somehow I feel Jagr will have a hat trick or more....

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:12 pm

Gags scores...woohoo 4-2

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:06 am

Great win, although I think they said the road team has won every time this year in the Flyers-Rangers series. The Flyers really miss being able to stick Primeau out against the other team's best line.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:20 am

Definately a great win. That hit on Umberger changed the game. The Flyers took it up a notch after the hit.

BTW, Jagr is definately back. A hat trick...and he probably could have had 4 or even 5 goals. He's scary.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 12:14 pm

What an intense game last night between Vanny and the Oil. It had a playoff feel all the way. Easily the best of the three-game set last week, and I'm not just saying that because the Oil finally won!

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 1:50 pm

The 3 series had a great playoff atmosphere PK. While the 1st game had a clear winner, the last two definitely were the worth the price of admission. In terms of intensity I actually found the second game had it all, including the lengthy review during the SO. Last night was another intense game, hardly fought, back & forth action.

Just wanted to mention that the Zebras are still doing their good job. With less than 2 minutes to go they called a clear cross-check on Samsonov as the Canucks failed to score on the PP. But in the old NHL, nothing would be called on the last 10- 5 MIN of a game.

This division is just crazy, from the 4th place to the 10th, everyone still got a chance to make it with less than a dozen games to go.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 7:24 pm

Yes, I saw a bit of the game, the best Roloson has probably played for the Oil. I hope he keeps it up.....

Samsonov a'int no slouch either.