Hockey Night In DSP

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:36 pm

vader29 wrote:Evgeni Malkin makes his NHL debut tonight.

Now, that's a player worth watching.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:23 pm

Just as a follow-up to discussions about heads rolling and the security of Bobby Clarke's job in light of the Flyers play, Bob McKenzie describes the situation in Philly as "radioactive hot." I really do wonder if Hitchcock has lost the team myself. I guess we'll see...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=181175&hubname=nhl

PS: That's my last Flyers post for the time being. Really.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:30 pm

Feanor wrote:I just think it's obvious the team is not responding to Hitchcock anymore

You think?

"I don't try getting in his head, that's for sure. It's an empty place." - Esche on Hitchcock

-G7

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:18 am

GameSeven wrote:
Feanor wrote:I just think it's obvious the team is not responding to Hitchcock anymore
You think?

"I don't try getting in his head, that's for sure. It's an empty place." - Esche on Hitchcock

-G7

And that quote was made BEFORE Clarke kept Esche in net for the entire the 9-1 loss to Buffalo! Wonder what Esche thinks now?

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:04 am

Unlike past times, he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. Hitch left him cold for all nine goals for a reason. The D was soft as jello, but Esche was to blame on at least 3-4 goals.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:32 am

Nice to see the knee-jerk roster moves by Clarke paid such wonderful dividends last night against Tampa ...

Speaking of another losing team, I really feel for Gretzky in Phoenix. I watched the Coyotes last night against the Kings, and that team is horrible. The losing must eat Gretz alive.

Take care,
PK

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:55 am

10spro wrote:
vader29 wrote:Evgeni Malkin makes his NHL debut tonight.
Now, that's a player worth watching.

2 goals in 2 games! So far, so good!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:46 am

Leebo33 wrote:
10spro wrote:
vader29 wrote:Evgeni Malkin makes his NHL debut tonight.
Now, that's a player worth watching.
2 goals in 2 games! So far, so good!

The scary thing is that Malkin is 6-3, 192. How much of a monster will he be if he puts on 15 pounds?

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:50 am

pk500 wrote:Nice to see the knee-jerk roster moves by Clarke paid such wonderful dividends last night against Tampa ...

I skipped it and watched my tape of game 7 of the 2006 Cup Finals, instead.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:19 am

Feanor wrote:
pk500 wrote:Nice to see the knee-jerk roster moves by Clarke paid such wonderful dividends last night against Tampa ...
I skipped it and watched my tape of game 7 of the 2006 Cup Finals, instead.

Yeah, great series, wasn't it? Must only increase your yearning for the Flyers to make it to the Finals for the first time in more than a decade.

Seriously, Feanor, what is the answer in Philly? What would you do if you were in Snider and/or Clarke's shoes?

Take care,
PK

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:24 am

Does the NHL have a salary cap? Best case scenario if Crosby, Fluery, Malkin, and Staal all develop into the players they are expected to be would it even be possible for a team to keep them all?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:43 am

Leebo33 wrote:Does the NHL have a salary cap? Best case scenario if Crosby, Fluery, Malkin, and Staal all develop into the players they are expected to be would it even be possible for a team to keep them all?

Does it ever Lee. It's one of the reasons the league lost a year as Bettman fought hard for it. It's one of the reasons there's such parity today. I was looking at the overall picture of the early season and there's been wins/losses by a margin of only a goal in more than half of the games already played.

Your PITT's team is an exciting one to watch whether they win or lose and if they can keep that core of players, they'll be the EDM version of the 80's. Scary.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:56 am

pk500 wrote:Speaking of another losing team, I really feel for Gretzky in Phoenix. I watched the Coyotes last night against the Kings, and that team is horrible. The losing must eat Gretz alive.
Take care,
PK

They could be the Philly version of the West, just look at the players they acquired during the offseason, in today's NHL is just not going to cut it, with the exception of Jovocop.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:00 pm

I'd say the Hawks have a bonafide All-Star in Havlat. He's on fire to start the season. 7 goals and 6 assists in 6 games for a +8.

Hell, the attendance for the last game crept up to 11,000. They're 4-2 so far and if they keep it up they'll start bringing in 18,000 a game. Go Hawks!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:39 pm

Leebo33 wrote:Does the NHL have a salary cap? Best case scenario if Crosby, Fluery, Malkin, and Staal all develop into the players they are expected to be would it even be possible for a team to keep them all?

Yes, $44 million this season. The Pens might be able to keep all of them, as Tampa has done with Richards, St. Louis and LeCavalier on big deals after the Lightning won the Stanley Cup.

But there's big risk in that. Those players MUST deliver, as there's not much cap dough left for other strong players. And so far this season, the "big three" in Tampa aren't doing that much, so the Lightning are struggling.

That's why in the long run, the Oilers might benefit from losing Pronger's big salary. Sure, they'll miss Pronger's play, but that dough can be -- and has been -- used to fill multiple other needs.

The top teams in the new economics of the NHL will have one or two highly-paid stars, with a core group of guys making $1-3 million per season. Just like Edmonton and Carolina last season.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:42 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:I'd say the Hawks have a bonafide All-Star in Havlat. He's on fire to start the season. 7 goals and 6 assists in 6 games for a +8. Hell, the attendance for the last game crept up to 11,000. They're 4-2 so far and if they keep it up they'll start bringing in 18,000 a game. Go Hawks!

Indeed on Havlat. But it's not like this is some sort of metamorphosis for him. He always has been a stud, but when you play in the shadow of Alfredsson, Heatley, Spezza, Chara, Hasek and Redden, it's tough to get noticed.

Just amazing that Ottawa didn't even get to one Cup final with that constellation of stars.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:56 pm

I know I railed about the worship of stats in American sports in another thread here, but this site is f*cking awesome:

http://www.hockey-recap.com/index.html

Hypocritically yours,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 6:31 pm

pk500 wrote:
Feanor wrote:
pk500 wrote:Nice to see the knee-jerk roster moves by Clarke paid such wonderful dividends last night against Tampa ...
I skipped it and watched my tape of game 7 of the 2006 Cup Finals, instead.
Yeah, great series, wasn't it? Must only increase your yearning for the Flyers to make it to the Finals for the first time in more than a decade.

Seriously, Feanor, what is the answer in Philly? What would you do if you were in Snider and/or Clarke's shoes?

Take care,
PK

If I was Snider, I'd blame Clarke and start looking at who could replace him. If I was Clarke I'd blame Hitchcock, and if I was Hitchcock I'd be happy I got that extension that'll pay me good money even if I get fired.

Honestly, I don't know what the Flyers can do for this season other than fire the coach, whether it's 100% his fault or 1% his fault. They have a good enough team to make the playoffs - there's no way they should have the least points in the league.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:36 pm

The talent is there on offense for Philly, no doubt about it. It's just that Hitchcock is forcing these guys to play a style not suited for the new NHL, or the players he has on his team.

The defense is flat out horrible. In goal, Nitty has actually played well, but has been hung out to dry by defensemen that are clueless.

Changes need to be made, and it needs to start at the top. The Flyers were one of the better teams in the league for the first half of last season. However, during that time, the rest of the NHL was still adjusting to the new rules. Well, everyone has adjusted, and the Flyers have been on a downslide since.

With 6 days off after tonight's game, I'm expecting Hitch to be fired. Unfortunately, I've been hearing rumors that Paul Holmgren might replace him. Sad. This franchise is in shambles.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:06 pm

You speak the truth, but to use a Blackadder quote:

"I like not this news; bring me other news."

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:11 pm

pk500 wrote:Nice to see the knee-jerk roster moves by Clarke paid such wonderful dividends last night against Tampa ...

Speaking of another losing team, I really feel for Gretzky in Phoenix. I watched the Coyotes last night against the Kings, and that team is horrible. The losing must eat Gretz alive.

Take care,
PK

ANd now for a chance to pimp the sleeper Calder candidate on my beloved but not so talents kings....ANZE KOPITAR! Malkin may get all the press but Kopitar could surpise everyone and take the Calder if he keeps his current play up. DId you see that goal PK? THe one where he had the sense to wait for the puck to fall below the cross bar, move his hands down the stick to grab the blade and bat it out of mid air into the goal? Unfortunately i can't find any slow-mo replays on the net. PLus the guys been logging PK minutes as well. He's a complete player at age 19.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:40 pm

Missed the goal, King, but I've seen Kopitar and read about him. Hell of a player.

Sadly, my NHL Center Ice crapped out on my cable box tonight, and TimeWarner can't get here until Monday. I'm going to have to go to a certain forum to find a torrent of the Oilers' game tomorrow night, as I vowed I would watch every Oil game this season, regular season and postseason.

I will keep the streak alive.

Still, I wanted to watch Minny and Anaheim tonight. A big tilt in the West, where the Big Dogs of the NHL roam, as you well know.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:13 pm

Holy sh*t! Is Buffalo ever going to lose? Sabres up to 8-0 after routing the Bruins.

Scary fact: Including the preseason, the Sabres are 13-1 this season.

The Sabres could be the best thing for the NHL in its so-far failed efforts to reach the American sports mainstream. Nothing captures American sports fans' attention like a powerhouse, and the Sabres could win 60 games this season if they continue with play like this. No, I'm not predicting 82-0.

Still, the strength of this team will attract more mainstream sports media attention. For example, if the Sabres start 18-0, 20-0 or something ridiculous like that, how can <i>Sports Illustrated</i> ignore them for a cover story?

Take care,
PK

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:23 pm

Jordan Staal is really making it tough for the Penguins to send him down, scoring two more shorthanded goals tonight, the second coming on a penalty shot. Malkin also picked up a goal in his third straight game, another win keyed by the Penguins teenagers.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:44 am

I called the Hitchcock firing, but Bobby Clarke resigns also.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2634817

The rumors are that AHL coach of the Philadelphia Phantoms, John Stevens, is to take over for Hitch, while former Flyers coach Paul Holmgren steps in as GM.

I like the Stevens hiring. He won a AHL title with guys like Nitty, Umberger, Meyer, Jones, Carter, Richards, etc. He knows how to utilize their talents. However, I'm not crazy at all about the Holmgren hiring. He failed miserably as a head coach in the old NHL.