Stanley Cup Playoffs thread

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 3:53 pm

A few of the top prospects for the upcoming NHL draft in a few weeks were in St. Louis yesterday for interviews and a tour of St. Louis including Phil Kessel and Jordan Staal. What's really awesome is that Staal passed on the opportunity to watch big brother Eric play his first game in the Stanley Cup finals and instead spent the evening taking in the Cardinals and Reds game with the other prospects and Blues staffers. He wasn't even aware that the Canes had won until he got back to his hotel at 11pm and a reporter told him. He left St. Louis this morning to fly to Raleigh where he will be in attendence for game two.
So while everybody is basking in Stanley Cup glory....
WE GOT THE NUMBER ONE PICK BITCHES!!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:07 pm

Tim:

What do the Blues need more, a big center like Staal (6-3, 200) or a big defenseman like Erik Johnson (6-4, 222)?

Johnson and Staal are No. 1 and 2, respectively, in the final CSB rankings. Both were the class of the Draft Combine workouts last week, according to what I've read in the Canadian media.

Seems like the Blues can't go wrong with either.

Take care,
PK

rubba19 · Post by **rubba19** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:13 pm

Since they traded Pronger for 3 defensemen, I'd say go for Staal.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:43 pm

rubba19 wrote:Since they traded Pronger for 3 defensemen, I'd say go for Staal.

think dougie weight will be back?

that was all the talk when crl picked him up.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:57 pm

pk500 wrote:Tim:

What do the Blues need more, a big center like Staal (6-3, 200) or a big defenseman like Erik Johnson (6-4, 222)?

Johnson and Staal are No. 1 and 2, respectively, in the final CSB rankings. Both were the class of the Draft Combine workouts last week, according to what I've read in the Canadian media.

Seems like the Blues can't go wrong with either.

Take care,
PK

Well I personally believe they need talented young forwards but Johnson has the label of future franchise defensemen. Lets be honest here though...the Blues need anything and everything. I trust our director of scouting and assistant GM Jarmo Kelkalainen, remember he put together the current Senators for the most part. He shocked everybody with the selection of TJ Oshie last year(although the Oilers were said to have a jersey with Oshie's name on it) and if Oshie was coming out this year, he'd probably be the consensus #1 pick. Johnson was invited to the event held here as well but already had a prior commitment. I do know that they are high on Staal, but i'm not sure if they would select him over Johnson.
I've been high on Phil Kessel for a couple of years now, but it looks like he's fallen enough to where the Blues will probably pass on him. The more I read about Staal, not to mention what appears to be some great bloodlines, I'm hoping they select him. If we can dangle the top pick to the Pens and get a player for the right to swap pics than thats even better. We have alot of leverage holding this pick so it's all good! We also have 3 of the top 31 picks and a lot of mid rounders. We have a lot of options!

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 5:06 pm

Sudz wrote:
rubba19 wrote:Since they traded Pronger for 3 defensemen, I'd say go for Staal.
think dougie weight will be back?

that was all the talk when crl picked him up.

Yeah I think the odds are good that Weight returns to St.Louis. His wife and kids are still living here so I think he wants to come back for sure. I think that was always his plan. By the way two of those players involved in the Weight deal are no longer. Boulerice was let go, and Zigomanis is going to play in Europe next year...at least that's the rumor.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 5:21 pm

Sudz wrote:I do f***in cringe each time i see

1. the rick flair woooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooo thing
2. signs that say "redneck hockey"
3. that f***in pig mascot.

HAHAHA. Having gone to 2 canes games while I was in college in NC, I know exactly what you are talking about!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:18 pm

Bettman defends the deal with OLN.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=167950&hubname=nhl

Regarding the Blues, I also believe that D.Weight will return to St Louis and it's hard to believe that after 39 years they'll be picking 1st overall. A compliment to the organization.

Here's the order for those teams that didn't make the playoffs for the draft:

St. Louis Blues
Pittsburgh Penguins
Chicago Blackhawks
Washington Capitals
Boston Bruins
Columbus Blue Jackets
New York Islanders
Phoenix Coyotes
Minnesota Wild
Florida Panthers
Los Angeles Kings
Atlanta Thrashers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Vancouver Canucks

I just heard that things are so messy in NY that the search for the Islanders new GM may take the whole summer if not longer. Should they not find one to their liking, the owner would be ready to place Milbury back in that position. Talk about long suffering fans.

fightingcamel · Post by **fightingcamel** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:22 pm

Naples39 wrote:
Sudz wrote:I do f***in cringe each time i see

1. the rick flair woooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooo thing
2. signs that say "redneck hockey"
3. that f***in pig mascot.
HAHAHA. Having gone to 2 canes games while I was in college in NC, I know exactly what you are talking about!

Don't forget:
1. Barney Knows Hockey
2. Ron the Ref
and last, but not least...
3. The Storm Squad!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:55 pm

If the Caniacs need character and tradition, they should play this song before every Hurricanes' game as an ode to the franchise's roots:

http://www.brassbonanza.com/Sound/brassbonanza.mp3

I heard that song way too many times when I covered the Binghamton Whalers of the AHL in 1989-90. That song gives me nightmares!

Take care,
PK

wabash97 · Post by **wabash97** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:21 pm

PK,

Was that you and Diamond Dave Edick in the old pressbox at Veterans Memorial?

Says he hates that song, too, to this day.

Me, I still kinda like it; feels like old time hockey.

And, speaking of, I picked up "Rebel Hockey" last week, by Ed Willies. It's not bad, and contains a handful of anecdotes from the Carlson Bros. of Slap Shot fame, Paul Stewart (former Duster) and more. A good Stanley Cup read, especially since this is the first time two former WHA franchises have made the Final.

B

An Islanders-related note for 10spro (I believe): The suffering continues; although I would swallow my tongue if Milbury returns as GM. There are plenty of rumors afoot (the most credible being a wait until July 1 for a no-strings attached Craig Patrick), and the Milbury stuff smells of reporters digging for stories where none are to be found.
That said, it would not be beyond belief to see Milbury return. I could go on an extended Violin solo about the woes of the Island, but I will wait until a GM is announced.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:32 pm

tjung0831 wrote:I've been high on Phil Kessel for a couple of years now, but it looks like he's fallen enough to where the Blues will probably pass on him.

From watching some of the Gophers games this year, I think the knock on Kessel is that he doesn't make those around him better. He can score but doesn't do much outside of that. But the kid was a freshman so there is plenty of room for improvement. He looked a heck of a lot better than Gretzky's pick from last year, Blake Wheeler.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:41 pm

Dave wrote:
tjung0831 wrote:I've been high on Phil Kessel for a couple of years now, but it looks like he's fallen enough to where the Blues will probably pass on him.
From watching some of the Gophers games this year, I think the knock on Kessel is that he doesn't make those around him better. He can score but doesn't do much outside of that. But the kid was a freshman so there is plenty of room for improvement. He looked a heck of a lot better than Gretzky's pick from last year, Blake Wheeler.

I watched almost all the Gophers game via my dish and I thought Kessel was as good as advertised. I think his passing game is very underrated. I'm not even sure he's really fallen in the eyes of the scouts, I think he was just so far ahead of everyone else for the 2006 draft this time last year that he had no where to go but down while everybody else went up. He's going to be a nice pick for Chicago, Washington or maybe Boston. Offensively, nobody can touch him skillwise in this draft at this point.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:50 pm

wabash97 wrote:PK,

Was that you and Diamond Dave Edick in the old pressbox at Veterans Memorial?

Says he hates that song, too, to this day.

Jay-zus Christ, B, it sure was Edick and I! How do you know Dave? From covering Bingo hockey yourself?

Dave is one of the nicest, most genuine people I've ever met. I really, really miss him from my Press days. I probably haven't talked with him in nearly 10 years.

It's funny: I went to work at the Press in 1988, when the Oilers still were winning Cups. Dave is THE biggest New York Islanders' fan I've ever met, and there was a twinge of playful animosity between us at first because I'm an Oilers' fan.

But that lasted for all of about a minute before we discovered our common love for hockey and hockey history, and we became fast friends.

B, if you EVER see Dave, please tell him I said hello and get an e-mail address of his for me. I would love to reconnect with him. Great guy.

Take care,
PK

wabash97 · Post by **wabash97** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:04 pm

He's sitting two feet behind me. We're both on the night news desk at the Press. We talk Islanders about two hours each night. Still going, although he protested and refused to watch any NHL this year because he hates shootouts. I do keep him abreast of Peca and Torres' accomplishments, as he remains a huge, huge Peca fan and admirer of Torres' grit.

Great guy, though. Makes working here bearable.

I'll tell him you said hello.

B

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:46 pm

Even though Canes's fans came around 21st in team support during the regular season, a friend of mine attended a few games including last nights and he's all kudos about Carolina's fans. You would have thought you were at an University of Alabama football game, he says. THE best tailgating food in a Hockey arena. And the nicest people.

The crowd didn`t seem "let down" when the team was down by three. It really felt like they "knew" their team would make a run at some point.

In many towns that expect to win every year (Ottawa, Toronto, Philly, Vancouver, etc) the fans get really pessimistic when their team falters, in a hurry.

Watching EDM's practice today, even though the majority of the media (including myself) thinks that Markkanen will start in game 2, Ty looked much sharper while Jussi was fighting the puck. Overall I got the impression that they were working Conklin much harder. Maybe he'll start after all.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:48 pm

Interesting observations on all fronts, 10s. Thanks, man.

Take care,
PK

fightingcamel · Post by **fightingcamel** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 8:17 am

10spro wrote:Even though Canes's fans came around 21st in team support during the regular season, a friend of mine attended a few games including last nights and he's all kudos about Carolina's fans. You would have thought you were at an University of Alabama football game, he says. THE best tailgating food in a Hockey arena. And the nicest people.

The crowd didn`t seem "let down" when the team was down by three. It really felt like they "knew" their team would make a run at some point.

In many towns that expect to win every year (Ottawa, Toronto, Philly, Vancouver, etc) the fans get really pessimistic when their team falters, in a hurry.

That's a good observation. The atmosphere at the arena is great! It's a lot like a football game on a far smaller scale. Not quite Knoxville on a Saturday afternoon in October, but entertaining, nonetheless.

The fans have started to believe that the Canes will come back. They've done it so many times now that you start to expect it. Also, the fans are finally starting to learn some about the game. They wait at least 30 seconds before screaming "shoot the puck" on a power play now!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:09 am

If EDM can tie the series 1-1 with their patented grit and determination, this series is far from over as most people would think since the loss of D. Roloson. Sure Conklin & Jussi (love that name) don't have the xperience of Rolie but if you look at how amazing rookie E. Ward has been, anything is possible and he even didn't start the playoffs from the beginning.

In fact coach Laviolette has a bit of an insider's take on Conklin, having coached him at the 2004 IIHF world championship in Prague when the Oilers goalie stood on his head and the underdog U.S. shocked Jaromir Jagr and the host team in the quarter-finals en route to a surprise bronze medal.

During the playoffs, Anything is possible when you've reach this far.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:25 am

Indeed. I certainly haven't given up hope. Conks and Jussi each had games this season where they looked brilliant, but they never could maintain that kind of performance with any regularity.

Still, there are only six games remaining, so anything is possible. The Labatt Blue is cold for an Oilers' victory tonight!

Take care,
PK

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 6:05 pm

and my dirty jersey and Keith's is ready as well!

I probably won't get the wing sauce stains out of it now.....

I believe in Conks. I really do.

(flash to Star Wars)

MacT hologram: "Help us Obi Wan Conkobi, you're are only hope!"

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 8:08 pm

Looks like MacT is taking a page out of ANA's coach R. Carlyle by keeping everyone guessing about who's the starting goalie. While MacT had everyone guessing that Conklin would be his starter, he's going for Jussi whom I think has a slight edge over Ty. We'll see how that pays off for the Oils, more important how's Conklin confidence, should the team need him?

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 8:11 pm

pk500 wrote:Still, there are only six games remaining, so anything is possible. The Labatt Blue is cold for an Oilers' victory tonight!

Take care,
PK

The Captain and I are on board...Go Oilers!!!!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 8:53 pm

Tough goal for Markkanen to allow in the first, as it went off Bergeron's skate. How ironic that Ladd and Bergeron, the tandem involved in the play that hurt Roloson, were involved in the first goal of the game?

Man, Carolina's defensemen have GREAT lateral movement down low and are very disciplined. The Canes' defense down low on even-strength situations almost looks like a penalty-kill box. Very impressive. And the defensemen slide out from the edge of the crease to pinch forwards wide very, very well.

The Oilers need to get more traffic in front of Ward or they won't penetrate that Canes' defense. They need to distract the Canes' D so that tight box is loosened. Paging Ryan Smyth ... paging Ryan Smyth!

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:24 pm

pk500 wrote:Paging Ryan Smyth ... paging Ryan Smyth!
Take care,
PK

Are you listning R. Torres, J. Stoll, S. Samsonov? Ouugh, looks like Jussi just let a softy in, unless it was tipped in by somebody.