HOCKEY NIGHT in DSP 07-08

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:42 pm

Nice to see all of this new blood entering the league. Maybe teams look at what Pittsburgh did with Jordan Staal last season and are trying to emulate that.

But it takes a special kid, both skill- and maturity-wise, to jump from juniors to the NHL.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:56 am

Watched that Sutton hit again. The only thing that makes it a bit less unsavory than Downie's hit is that Sutton didn't leave his feet. Still a head-hunting cheap shot, though.

What about this hit on Edmonton's Mathieu Roy?

http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2007/10/rypi ... n-roy.html

I don't see too much wrong with this hit. Rypien was forechecking and preparing to check Roy cleanly when Roy turned away from the hit at the last second. Despite the pleas of the analyst, it's pretty tough to hit the brakes at that speed when a guy turns away that close to the hit.

I didn't see ill intent in that hit like I did those of Downie and Sutton, especially Downie.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:03 am

Ron McLean only made $500,000 per year before his new deal with Hockey Night in Canada was signed this week?

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/stor ... 1.wsptcbc1

Man, the dude is the Bob Costas of Canada. The incredibly overrated Costas probably makes $5-10 million per year.

McLean is worth MUCH more than 500 grand per year. I hope his salary was at least doubled.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:59 am

We couldn't see McLean not in HNIC. Things would never be the same, glad that he signed for seven more years. He's corny at times but best at what he does.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:13 am

pk500 wrote:What about this hit on Edmonton's Mathieu Roy?

http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2007/10/rypi ... n-roy.html

I don't see too much wrong with this hit. Rypien was forechecking and preparing to check Roy cleanly when Roy turned away from the hit at the last second. Despite the pleas of the analyst, it's pretty tough to hit the brakes at that speed when a guy turns away that close to the hit.

I didn't see ill intent in that hit like I did those of Downie and Sutton, especially Downie.

Take care,
PK

I agree. Rypien really didn't do much wrong. Maybe you could argue charging because he took several strides to line up the player, but that is a stretch. That's just a good play by a forechecker where the puckhandler needs to brace himself better for a hit.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:00 pm

Roy sees Rypien coming at him and he's trying to avoid the hit. The moment he decided to turn aside and fumbles the puck a bit, he was doomed. Despite MacT's complain, the hit was a good one. Perhaps, Rick should have slowed a bit, but it's a tough call, especially for a forechecker going at full speed like Rypien.

Glad that Mathieu is doing better tough.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:15 pm

Oilers name Ethan Moreau as captain, succeeding Jason Smith, who was traded to Philly.

Chops is an EXCELLENT pick. A real leader by example, on and off the ice.

I'm not keen on the Oil's setup for assistant captains. Hemsky and Horcoff will wear the "A" at home, Stoll and Staios on the road.

Talk about ass-kissing. Name two assistant captains and be done with it -- Horcoff and Staios are the obvious pair.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:18 pm

pk500 wrote:Oilers name Ethan Moreau as captain, succeeding Jason Smith, who was traded to Philly. Take care, PK

The obvious choice IMO and Smith will do the same thing for Philly.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:19 pm

Yeah, Smith was already named Philly's captain.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:29 pm

At least the Oil's captaincy was given to one player, unlike Buffalo, which will rotate captains monthly:

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/175415.html

Lame. VERY LAME.

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:22 pm

Sully wrote:Yeah, Smith was already named Philly's captain.

I'm glad Gagne's just an A. I think that suits him better.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:29 pm

Feanor wrote:
Sully wrote:Yeah, Smith was already named Philly's captain.
I'm glad Gagne's just an A. I think that suits him better.

Especially when you've got Gator on your team. That guy is iron, sand and nails -- you find few better leaders in the NHL. Smith is the ideal captain for any team.

Man, I'll miss him with the Oil.

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:36 pm

I hope Pitkanen does well in Edmonton; he always seemed to be a likable kid. But not so well he turns into the new Brian Leetch or anything. That would be tough to swallow.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:43 pm

F*ck, boys, tonight is like Christmas Eve for me. Seriously. I am so giddy with anticipation about the start of the regular season -- screw the weekend set in London -- that I feel like I have fire ants in my boxer shorts.

I'm going to curl up with a couple of Labatt's Blues and Center Ice tomorrow night and have a good time.

LET'S DROP THE PUCK! THE NHL IS BACK!

Take care,
PK

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:49 pm

After the abysmal season I suffered through last year, I'm looking forward to the Flyers being a competitive hockey club again this year. Can't wait for Thursday night.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:23 pm

Anticipation is high in Vancouver for this team. With the addition of two young speedsters in Shannon & Raymond, 'Nucks look to improve in the offense department this season. And with the preseason games over, that area looks like it's covered for now. Sami Salo won't start the season opener on friday & B. Morrison is doubtful (he's the current iron man).

Here's my prediction for this season: SJ and OTT in the finals. Same two teams I picked last year but I think they are more matured and with some key additons, they'll be the teams most others will be measured against.

NY Rangers and COL Avs will be the most improved teams and I must not forget PITT with Sydney in the East and of course DET will always be dangerous in the West
Cinderella team? How about FLO in the East with a key additon in T.Vokoun.

Let the puck drop....

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 10:26 am

Center Ice is ordered and running, Leafs-Sens tonight and first three Oilers' games of the season are locked into the DVR, Blue is chilling in the fridge.

Drop the puck!

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:23 am

My season predictions:

EAST

1. Ottawa. The best team in the East did little to improve over the summer, but it didn't lose much, either.
2. Pittsburgh. That first-round loss taught the Pens a lot.
3. Atlanta. This team had 97 points last season and didn't lose much.
4. N.Y. Rangers. Sure, Drury and Gomez are great additions. But the back line? Ugh.
5. Buffalo. Losing Drury, Briere and Numminen is too much. The Sabres have a ton of depth, but I don't trust Vanek and Afinigenov as the top dogs.
6. Philadelphia. The most improved team in the East. Jason Smith shores up the back line, and Briere helps up front.
7. Florida. Southeast is weak, so Fla. takes it.
8. New Jersey. Too many injuries early to contend, plus losing Gomez hurts.
9. Toronto. The Leafs' goaltending is awful. 'Nuff said.
10. Carolina. 2006 was a magic moment that's not returning anytime soon.
11. Washington. Improved, but not there yet.
12. Islanders. DiPietro may need therapy by December considering the defense in front of him.
13. Montreal. The Habs lived and died on the power play last year with Souray. Now that Sheldon's cannon is in Edmonton, the Habs will die.
14. Tampa Bay. Losing Boyle hurts. If St. Louis or Vinny get hurt, this team is screwed. Who's playing goal? And Filip Kuba is your top defenseman?
15. Boston. A crummy hockey team, period.

WEST
1. Detroit. Only because it plays in the weak Central Division. But the Wings won't make it to the conference finals.
2. San Jose. What's not to like about this team? It has suffered enough playoff disappointments in the last two seasons that it must get over the hump sometime. Is Joe Thornton enough of a leader to pull this team through?
3. Minnesota. The class of the toughest division in hockey. A lot to like here, with skill, defense and goaltending. Great coach in Lemaire, too. This is a dark horse team that could go all the way.
4. Anaheim. The hangover is too much, as is the indecision about Selanne and Niedermayer. Detroit can rest easy as the last team to repeat as Cup winners.
5. Dallas. This team lives and dies with defense, as it doesn't have much scoring punch.
6. Nashville. Can Chris Mason play well again? And I'm sorry, but the off-ice ownership stuff must be a distraction.
7. Colorado. Scott Hannan is a big addition, as is Ryan Smyth. Can Budaj play as well in goal?
8. Edmonton. I'm biased, of course, but I think the kids will lead the Oilers to the final playoff spot in the final two games of the season. The Oilers have a lot of depth at forward, a quality backup for Roloson in Garon and nice additions on the blue line with Souray and Pitkanen.
9. Calgary. Iron Mike will piss off the team at some point this season, and the Flames will fall off the rails.
10. Vancouver. I just don't see where the Canucks are any better than last season. And who scores other than Naslund and the Sedins? Poor Louie. The best goalie in hockey will be golfing in mid-April.
11. St. Louis. The most improved team in the West, and it could climb closer to a playoff spot than this. A nice mix of veterans and youth.
12. Los Angeles. I really like Mike Cammalleri, as he will be another stud to join Kopitar. But I still don't think LA is good enough.
13. Chicago. Toews and Kane are the future, and Keith is a very underrated defenseman. But the rebuilding will need another season.
14. Columbus. Is Norrena good enough in goal? The Zherdev distraction won't help the room, either, as his teammates hate him.
15. Phoenix. The worst team in the league, by far. What does it say when Shane Doan is your top offensive threat? This team won't challenge the 74-75 Capitals as the worst team ever, but it will be pathetic. Woe is Wayne.

Take care,
PK

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 1:56 pm

center ice still doing the FREE preview for the 1st week?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 2:05 pm

Sudz wrote:center ice still doing the FREE preview for the 1st week?

Yes. $20 discount if you order before the end of the preview, too. $149 instead of $169 for the regular season and first two rounds of playoffs.

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:55 pm

You're not a big fan of Toskala, pk?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:16 pm

So R. Luongo will be golfing in April, PK? Bring it on baby. 'Nucks had a lousy start last year and they turned it around since X'mas time becoming one of the hottest teams in the NHL. Sure they relied too much on the IKEA line earlier on and eventually opponents started to shut down that line to the point coach Vigneault had to shuffle his lines. Are they better than last year? Not much when you're division champions but everyone else in the division improved, but it'll be a dog fight as usual in the NW.

Naslund had a lousy year for a player of his status and I think he'll crank it up a notch this season being the last year of his contract. Is this team good enough to fight in the playoffs? No. Will they make it? You bet. With Louie in goal, all you need is score one more than the opponent.

In the West I think DAL will miss the playoffs this time and NAS will have a tough time too, especially with the latest sale snag they're encountering, they may start a fire sale by December. The last two spots for a playoff birth in the West will be between the two AB teams and VAN.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:40 pm

Feanor wrote:You're not a big fan of Toskala, pk?

Nope. Plus he looked lousy during the preseason.

It's also going to take Wellwood awhile to get fit from his injury, as he was lazy as hell during the offseason. His father admitted as much in an interview with a Canadian paper.

Take care,
PK

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:16 pm

How is it possible that the Joe Loius Arena is not packed to the gills on opening night in "Hockeytown?"

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:24 pm

Entertaining battle of Ontario so far. Wide open Hockey. We know that J. Ferguson JR is on the bubble this season and based on the decision made by coach P. Maurice, I would give him a shake in the head too. Here you have one of the hottest line in the NHL in Spezza-Heatley-Alfie and the Leaf coach matches them with Wozniewski and H.Gill

(Heatley signs an extension with the club)

What happened to the likes of Kaberle, Kubina and McCabe, five million + players? Not that they can stop that line necessarily but wouldn't they be better than the tandem Gill-Wozzie? Speaking of big dough, you bring a goalie like V. Toskala making 6 million and change and you start A. Raycroft? Sure both guys had a lousy preseason, but you bring supposedly a guy to be your starting goaltender but fail to build on his confidence. We'll see, they are winning 3-2 after two.

Good wrestling match between Battaglia and Redden. But those guys with a visor, you gotta take it off when you fight, or you'll get cut badly, right Wade?