Hockey Night In DSP

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:51 pm

pk500 wrote:My selections:

1st: M. Richard-Gretzky-Howe
2nd: Esposito-Lemieux-Lafleur
3rd: Dionne-Messier-Bossy
4th: Morenz-Yzerman-Bo. Hull

I looked for a mix of scoring, creativity and toughness on my four lines. My second line definitely would need a strong pair of defensemen!

How about you cats?

Take care,
PK

I have to admit, I'm pretty ignorant of hockey pre-1990, but this is what I came up with;

Bossy-Gretzky-Howe
Crosby-Lemieux-Brett Hull
Ovechkin-Clarke-Bobby Hull
Dionne-Yzerman-Jagr

The only real theory to those is trying to find a good mix of passer/playmakers with goalscorers for each line.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 8:09 pm

pk500 wrote:Fun lead story now at ESPN.com. Choose from a group of all-time great forwards to make your four best lines, and vote. Players don't have to be in their ideal positions:

My selections:

1st: M. Richard-Gretzky-Howe
2nd: Esposito-Lemieux-Lafleur
3rd: Dionne-Messier-Bossy
4th: Morenz-Yzerman-Bo. Hull

I looked for a mix of scoring, creativity and toughness on my four lines. My second line definitely would need a strong pair of defensemen!

How about you cats?

Take care,
PK

I would agree with that but you can't have a top 12 without Brett Hull. Bossy, Morenz, Dionne, or Esposito has to be replaced by Hull, maybe even Richard. I'd have to spend some time thinking about exactly which one though.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 11:15 pm

tjung0831 wrote:I like the Sabres beating Anaheim if it comes down to that, especially in a seven game series.

Stand proud, Tim! You were on the Sabres' wagon long before anyone else here.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 11:18 pm

tjung0831 wrote:I would agree with that but you can't have a top 12 without Brett Hull. Bossy, Morenz, Dionne, or Esposito has to be replaced by Hull, maybe even Richard. I'd have to spend some time thinking about exactly which one though.

It was a tough call to put Bobby ahead of Brett. But I did because Bobby lit it up during the Original Six era, when the talent was so much less diluted. Plus Bobby had some great years in the WHA, which are forgotten.

Espo was the ultimate garbageman. Every team needs one of those. Morenz was arguably the greatest offensive player in the game before 1945 -- an absolute great. Dionne was so consistent for so many years that it's tough to exclude him. Plus he hung up big numbers on some AWFUL Kings' teams. And Bossy was absolute money as a sniper.

Fun stuff, isn't it?

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:23 am

Huge win by my 'Nucks over the always hated Flames. W. Mitchell shut down their Captain J. Iginla and R. Luongo was solid in goal.

J. Leclair was released by the Pens, and at 1.5 million it remains to be seen if his days are over in the NHL.

JR was scratched by #99 for the second game in a row and called the media "F******G Vultures". Too bad, I do picture him being a color commentator in the future and a darn good one at that. He may regret that comment.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:33 am

I had to think about this one and I am going to add the Russian rocket Pavel Bure, who was unstoppable in his best days. And E. Lindros in the list? Please.

1st line: Howe-Gretzky-Messier
2nd line: Jagr-Lemieux-Bossy
3rd line: M. Richard-Forsberg-Yzerman
4th line: Beliveau-Crosby-Bure

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:14 am

Four points separate top from bottom in the Northwest Division after a big 3-1 victory for my Oil over Minnesota last night.

Unreal.

The team or teams that come out of the Northwest could go a long way in the playoffs again this year because there simply are no nights off when playing in that division. Every game is a test.

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:35 am

10spro wrote:I had to think about this one and I am going to add the Russian rocket Pavel Bure, who was unstoppable in his best days. And E. Lindros in the list? Please.

Lindros was also unstoppable in his best days and actually had a very similar career to Bure, i.e. an injury-riddled one. It's very strange that you would see such a gap between them.

Bure played 702 games and scored 779 points, and played 64 playoff games for 70 points.

Lindros has played 711 games for 839 points, and played 50 playoff games for 57 points.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:54 am

Lots of cool fantasy lines there but I'd have to go with an all Lemieux line.

Jocilyn, Mario, and Claude (preferably in playoff form instead of regular season).

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:58 am

I may be a biased Flyers fan, but Lindros was utterly dominant in the mid-90s. Some of my good friends are Avs fans, so of course we'd have the obligatory debates of who is better, Lindros or Forsberg, but I don't think those guys (nor do a lot of people who just look at his offensive stats) ever really appreciated the physical presence of Lindros. They would always counter that Forsberg is a physical player who will hit back, but at 6'4" 235, and a nasty mean streak, Lindros would absolutely pummel people with his hits, or actually bloody them in a fight. During those mid-90s years Lindros was as physically strong and rough as any defensemen in the league, yet had the skill of a top-3 league-wide scoring forward. It truly was a once in a lifetime package. The only problem is that it was all too shortlived...

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:39 am

A lot of similarities between Lindros and Wendel Clark. Both were big, bruising forwards with skill who learned much too late in their careers that they didn't have to hit every opponent within five strides of them.

But the big difference is that Lindros' overall skill was at a greater level than Wendel's. But both are a case of "What could have been?" if someone had pulled them aside earlier in their careers and told them to channel their physical game properly, as Sather did early in Edmonton with Messier.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:51 pm

Feanor wrote: Lindros was also unstoppable in his best days and actually had a very similar career to Bure, i.e. an injury-riddled one. It's very strange that you would see such a gap between them.

Bure played 702 games and scored 779 points, and played 64 playoff games for 70 points.
Lindros has played 711 games for 839 points, and played 50 playoff games for 57 points.

Not strange at all and neither do I say that one player is better than the other. It's my preference. Although you post a fair comparison, I just feel that the Russian Rocket would have done just fine in todays' NHL. His speed was hard to stop, often splitting defenses and was it not for his bummed knee and and era of clutching and grabbing, he may have continued to play and add points to those stats.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 1:17 am

Pens are in uncertain waters once again as Balsillie pulls off his offer. Bettman apparently wanted the team to stay in Pitts no matter what and depending on the exact language of the contract, it's tough for any owner to do business under those conditions.

The NHL is struggling in markets like FLO, ATL, PHO, and other markets, was Bettman's intention rather to keep the amazing Pens' kids in a US market that's already struggling south of the border or does he really want it to succeed, if the team was ever to be moved north?

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=188556&hubname=

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:31 am

10spro wrote:Pens are in uncertain waters once again as Balsillie pulls off his offer. Bettman apparently wanted the team to stay in Pitts no matter what and depending on the exact language of the contract, it's tough for any owner to do business under those conditions.

The NHL is struggling in markets like FLO, ATL, PHO, and other markets, was Bettman's intention rather to keep the amazing Pens' kids in a US market that's already struggling south of the border or does he really want it to succeed, if the team was ever to be moved north?

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=188556&hubname=

It might be time for Mark Cuban to put his money where his mouth is. After watching Malkin play in person during his hot start, Cuban said he really screwed up by not making a stronger push to buy the Pens. It looks like that door has reopened for him. At least it sounds like the NHL is truly committed to keeping the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:33 am

Crosby had an incredible assist tonight, setting up "Hands of stone" Malone for the hat trick. It really is amazing the way he is playing right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtT43YT1xQM

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:23 am

Hard to blame Balsillie for pulling his offer with conditions like those. If the NHL is so insistent on keeping the team in Pittsburgh and demands a clause that says it can take control of the franchise if it deems necessary, then why the f*ck doesn't the league buy the team?

There's absolutely no way Mark Cuban will buy the team under those terms. No businessman who ever has run anything more successful than a lemonade stand would.

Why introduce a cutting-edge, successful businessman like Balsillie into the NHL owners' pool when you can have owners like Bill Wirtz instead? If Harold Ballard was still alive, Bettman probably would rather sell him the Penguins than Balsillie.

Bettman is a f*cking tool.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:40 am

HipE wrote:Crosby had an incredible assist tonight, setting up "Hands of stone" Malone for the hat trick. It really is amazing the way he is playing right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtT43YT1xQM

That backhand pass to himself off the boards by Crosby just before the assist was SICK.

Malone is this year's Warren Young. Banging in goals from great passes from Crosby the way Young scored goals in bushels from great passes by a young Mario.

Is this just a hot streak by Crosby or is he finally off the leash? Is this the Crosby we'll see every night? Not a news flash, but this kid is astonishingly good.

I'm a bit sad as I see this video, though, because the current NHL schedule format means that fans in many Western Conference buildings will get a chance to see Crosby only once every three years. Another BRILLIANT move by Bettman, f*cking tool.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:55 am

Tonight is a pucks' wet dream if you have Center Ice. Many good, interesting matchups:

1 p.m. (ET)
Detroit at New Jersey

7 p.m. (ET)
Ottawa at Buffalo
Rangers at Toronto
Pittsburgh at Montreal
Atlanta at Islanders
Chicago at Columbus (don't laugh -- both teams are playing well now)

10:30 p.m. (ET)
Anaheim at San Jose (Game of the Night)

My popcorn and beer will be ready tonight, man! I'm going to make sweet pucks love to Center Ice.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:08 pm

pk500 wrote:
HipE wrote:Crosby had an incredible assist tonight, setting up "Hands of stone" Malone for the hat trick. It really is amazing the way he is playing right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtT43YT1xQM
That backhand pass to himself off the boards by Crosby just before the assist was SICK.

Malone is this year's Warren Young. Banging in goals from great passes from Crosby the way Young scored goals in bushels from great passes by a young Mario.

Is this just a hot streak by Crosby or is he finally off the leash? Is this the Crosby we'll see every night? Not a news flash, but this kid is astonishingly good.

I'm a bit sad as I see this video, though, because the current NHL schedule format means that fans in many Western Conference buildings will get a chance to see Crosby only once every three years. Another BRILLIANT move by Bettman, f*cking tool.

Take care,
PK

Crosby is about ready to go on an Art Ross run like Gretzky did in the 80's.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 1:31 am

pk500 wrote:Hard to blame Balsillie for pulling his offer with conditions like those. If the NHL is so insistent on keeping the team in Pittsburgh and demands a clause that says it can take control of the franchise if it deems necessary, then why the f*ck doesn't the league buy the team?
Take care,
PK

No potential buyer would be such a fool to fall under Bettman's condtions.
And yes he's an idiot.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 2:03 am

The term "playoff intensity" usually is a cliche when describing a regular-season game in any sport, but it was a fact in tonight's Anaheim-San Jose game.

This appeared to be the Game of the Night before tonight's action started, and it didn't disappoint.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:34 pm

Good interview with Brett Hull:

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/16273489.htm

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:38 pm

Classic line from Dallas Stars analyst Daryl Reaugh, easily the most clever guy in an NHL broadcast booth today:

"The Kings backup goalie against the Stars on Saturday was a Japanese player named Fukufuji. (I kid you not.) Coincidently, that is also what can be heard at Kodak Board Meetings every time Fuji lowers the price of its disposable cameras."

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:15 pm

Interesting article on the PENS' situation.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/s ... id=2702374

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:13 pm

10spro wrote:Interesting article on the PENS' situation.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/s ... id=2702374

I take view No. 2: The NHL blew a perfect opportunity to land an ideal owner.

After all, who would you trust? A guy who has converted an electronic gadget into the must-have piece of electronic equipment for any traveling business person or Gary Bettman?

I just don't understand why Bettman has such a hard-on for keeping the franchise in Pittsburgh. It's not a big market, and the support of the team the last two seasons has been mediocre.

Plus the NHL almost greased the gate at Customs whenever a Canadian franchise wanted to move to the U.S. but now it's putting the figurative Border Patrol in front of a rich, progressive, cutting-edge businessman who wants to bring a team back to the only country in North America that truly gives a sh*t about the game?

Yes, the exchange rate VASTLY favored American teams during the exodus from Canada of the 1990s, but that's not nearly the issue it was 10 years ago. I can remember 10 years ago when my dollar was worth nearly $1.50 in Canada. Now it's worth $1.15.

I don't get it.

Now the NHL office is f*cked. It has to put the same stipulations on Mark Cuban, that scumbag Frank D'Angelo or any other potential buyer that it did on Balsillie, or Balsillie has a damn good chance at filing and winning a lawsuit for bad-faith negotiations against the NHL.

And what smart businessman is going to agree to those stipulations? Only someone from Pittsburgh with VERY deep pockets. Go ahead, Person X, step right up.

Take care,
PK