Hockey Night in DSP-Season 2011-12

[XXXIV]

Here f***in with coward and child abuser mike milbury.

[XXXIV]

Some good times with Dave the Hammer schultz.

[XXXIV]

Legends of Hockey - Larry Robinson

[XXXIV]

Great fan compilation. Larry Robinson. Good stuff.

[Naples39]

"Marathon" CBA talks yesterday at a "neutral site", with more talks early this week scheduled. Maybe my initial expectation of a season starting circa Jan 1 will turn out, despite how close to the abyss the they came.

Still far from a done deal of course.

[Jimmydeicide]

f*** the NHL if i never see you again ill be ok thank you very much. Plenty of quality entertainment around thanks.

Take all this petty s*** to your leagues grave.

[Naples39]

It will be interesting to see what news comes out tomorrow. It seems some people are expecting a quick resolution. The frame work of a potential deal seems clear---50/50 revenue splitting, but current contracts fully honored.

Al Morganti, long-time hockey guy in Philly, opined today that he thinks this gets done in the next 10 days, but if not, the season will be lost.

[10spro]

Well after extensive meet and greets yesterday, there's still no word whatever as to whether any progress has been made or not. I still think that Bettman is looking for the PA to crack a bit and holds the last Ace card until mid-December. Get all the players hoping for a solution now and then sweep them off the carpet again. How many players are just about to head to Europe and are still holding off their plans as both sides are talking? Just taking a page from the NBA negotiations last time, Gary is a shrewd dude, hated everywhere, but something tells me that he'll pull the punch once the PA shows the slightest sign of frustration.

[Naples39]

Well after extensive meet and greets yesterday, there's still no word whatever as to whether any progress has been made or not. I still think that Bettman is looking for the PA to crack a bit and holds the last Ace card until mid-December. Get all the players hoping for a solution now and then sweep them off the carpet again. How many players are just about to head to Europe and are still holding off their plans as both sides are talking? Just taking a page from the NBA negotiations last time, Gary is a shrewd dude, hated everywhere, but something tells me that he'll pull the punch once the PA shows the slightest sign of frustration.

No news is good news. I think this gets done soon.

[Naples39]

Another pivotal day in negotiations today.

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger
One source says - way too early to think\say a deal is close to being done, however, others hint if today goes well agreement won't be far

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
Try to refrain from hyperbole but sense today is BIG on NHL labor front. Suspect we find out if this is going north or south.

All parties must've had enough by now, and just want to make a deal, right? Right...?

[tjung0831]

Not sounding good. Here is Don Fehr's memo to the players last night.

http://www.tsn.ca/story/?id=409136

[Naples39]

I'm still optimistic. Today will be the 4th straight day of lengthy negotiations.

A deal is not necessarily imminent, but this is real negotiating and they're "speaking the same language." The staring contest is over, and an actual desire to make a deal is emerging IMO.

[Diablo25]

I'm still optimistic. Today will be the 4th straight day of lengthy negotiations.

A deal is not necessarily imminent, but this is real negotiating and they're "speaking the same language." The staring contest is over, and an actual desire to make a deal is emerging IMO.

A December 1st drop of the puck would be nice.

[10spro]

Significant differences remain in the areas of free agency, salary arbitration and contract lengths. I'd like to be optimistic as some of you but as I mentioned before I don't hold any hope until mid December when Gary finally irons out a CBA.

The sticking point is the players’ demand to be paid in full for their existing contracts.

[tjung0831]

Both sides walked out name calling tonight. It's over boys...no hockey in 2012-13. Fehr has convinced the players they must lose the season to get their point across...no doubt in my mind.

http://www.tsn.ca/

[Naples39]

Negotiations are often ugly things. As long as they get back at the table in the next few days, things are still moving. Now if the sides disengage....

[toonarmy]

I have complete faith in these two kind-faced men.

[Feanor]

More time for games, I guess. And a year without 24/7 Bryzgalov coverage won't be all bad.

[10spro]

The most exciting, electrifying and skilled player that ever graced a Canucks jersey is introduced into the HoF today. Number 10 Pavel Bure, will always be remembered well in lotus land although his exit was not the most cordial one. One can only imagine how many more goals he could have scored if his injuries didn't cut his career shot. This guy literally lifted off my seat whenever I saw him at the then Pacific Coliseum.

He's in good company too along Sakic, Sundin and Oates.

[Naples39]

MASSIVE, near fatal hit the in the AHL a few days ago;


Geoffrion skated off the ice under his own power, but he got a freak fractured skull when Cote's skate hit him in the head as he was returning to earth. He seemed okay going to the hospital, but shortly thereafter had convulsions and needed surgery to remove pieces of his skull from his brain. Scary.

[Gangrel]

Yeah, that was ugly. To be honest, maybe this makes me less of a man, but I have never understood why hits like that are necessary, other then an attempt to injure. Sure, Blake should have had his head up and saw him and bailed perhaps, but the guy delivering the hit looked to be going full speed and he had "tone" for a good 20 feet or so.

I dunno, I guess I just miss the old days where a check was an attempt to separate a guy from the puck, not separate his head from the rest of his body........

I'm no Habs fan, but I hope Blake recovers, and maybe can resume his career some day.

[10spro]

Yeah, that was ugly. To be honest, maybe this makes me less of a man, but I have never understood why hits like that are necessary, other then an attempt to injure. Sure, Blake should have had his head up and saw him and bailed perhaps, but the guy delivering the hit looked to be going full speed and he had "tone" for a good 20 feet or so.

I dunno, I guess I just miss the old days where a check was an attempt to separate a guy from the puck, not separate his head from the rest of his body........

I'm no Habs fan, but I hope Blake recovers, and maybe can resume his career some day.

Nah, I am with you here. It's really short of a miracle that Geoffrion got up from that. I saw that video about 2 days ago and it made me sick. People want to hit to injure it seems like with this generation of players.

[toonarmy]

Yeah, that was ugly. To be honest, maybe this makes me less of a man, but I have never understood why hits like that are necessary, other then an attempt to injure. Sure, Blake should have had his head up and saw him and bailed perhaps, but the guy delivering the hit looked to be going full speed and he had "tone" for a good 20 feet or so.

I dunno, I guess I just miss the old days where a check was an attempt to separate a guy from the puck, not separate his head from the rest of his body........

I'm no Habs fan, but I hope Blake recovers, and maybe can resume his career some day.

Agree with you on all counts. I don't wish serious injury like that on anyone. I enjoy big hits as much as the next guy, but some of the players don't seem to have any respect whatsoever for each other. You can deliver a big spectacular hit without trying to obliterate him. I know it may not be applicable to this instance very much, but the professional leagues need to dispense with all of the body armor. It makes the players feel invincible to the point that they do not fear lining a dude up and going full throttle into him at high speed and/or with maximum force. Get back to the older, softer, and more minimal protection and you will see a huge decrease in injuries due to large-impact hits. A) Players will not want to hurt themselves when going all-out into another player, and B) Players will have to think twice about destroying someone because without all of their armor it will be easier to injure them in an act of retribution.

[pk500]

Agree with you on all counts. I don't wish serious injury like that on anyone. I enjoy big hits as much as the next guy, but some of the players don't seem to have any respect whatsoever for each other. You can deliver a big spectacular hit without trying to obliterate him. I know it may not be applicable to this instance very much, but the professional leagues need to dispense with all of the body armor. It makes the players feel invincible to the point that they do not fear lining a dude up and going full throttle into him at high speed and/or with maximum force. Get back to the older, softer, and more minimal protection and you will see a huge decrease in injuries due to large-impact hits. A) Players will not want to hurt themselves when going all-out into another player, and B) Players will have to think twice about destroying someone because without all of their armor it will be easier to injure them in an act of retribution.

Disagree. Players are bigger, faster and stronger than they were in 1992. They need the protection. Maybe some of the plastic can be removed or covered with soft padding, but a return to the flimsy gear Trottier, Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull wore back in the day would result in some very busy orthopedic surgeons in NHL and AHL cities around North America.

I would much rather see a change in officiating that outlaws such hits by players wearing armor than allowing head-hunting to continue by players brave enough to attempt it with softer, smaller pads. Trust me: There still would be plenty of meatheads desperate for an fourth-line NHL job who would continue to attempt decapitation with smaller gear.

Just look at the NFL. Few players in that league wear hip, thigh or knee protection compared to 20 years ago. Hell, some players don't even wear cups. Yet the hitting is harder than ever. Play has become cleaner in the last two seasons because of Goodell's mandate to eliminate dangerous hits and hits to the head, not because guys are wearing smaller or no pads.

[toonarmy]

Agree with you on all counts. I don't wish serious injury like that on anyone. I enjoy big hits as much as the next guy, but some of the players don't seem to have any respect whatsoever for each other. You can deliver a big spectacular hit without trying to obliterate him. I know it may not be applicable to this instance very much, but the professional leagues need to dispense with all of the body armor. It makes the players feel invincible to the point that they do not fear lining a dude up and going full throttle into him at high speed and/or with maximum force. Get back to the older, softer, and more minimal protection and you will see a huge decrease in injuries due to large-impact hits. A) Players will not want to hurt themselves when going all-out into another player, and B) Players will have to think twice about destroying someone because without all of their armor it will be easier to injure them in an act of retribution.

Disagree. Players are bigger, faster and stronger than they were in 1992. They need the protection. Maybe some of the plastic can be removed or covered with soft padding, but a return to the flimsy gear Trottier, Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull wore back in the day would result in some very busy orthopedic surgeons in NHL and AHL cities around North America.

I would much rather see a change in officiating that outlaws such hits by players wearing armor than allowing head-hunting to continue by players brave enough to attempt it with softer, smaller pads. Trust me: There still would be plenty of meatheads desperate for an fourth-line NHL job who would continue to attempt decapitation with smaller gear.

Just look at the NFL. Few players in that league wear hip, thigh or knee protection compared to 20 years ago. Hell, some players don't even wear cups. Yet the hitting is harder than ever. Play has become cleaner in the last two seasons because of Goodell's mandate to eliminate dangerous hits and hits to the head, not because guys are wearing smaller or no pads.

The point of players being faster and stronger makes my point. If they are not wearing hard plastic armor then they are not going to risk injuring themselves with many of the massive hits they are pulling off nowadays. There will always be morons who take cheap shots, but those guys don't cause the majority of injuries.

Comparing the NFL to NHL is apples/oranges. Two completely different sports that involve different mechanics. NFL players still wear very hard plastic gear and helmets above the waist, and that is what they hit with. They are still delivering hits to the head and causing a lot of concussions regardless of any mandates. As for cups, I don't think anyone in the NFL wears a cup any more. It has been that way for some time now.