Official 2007-08 NHL Thread

[Halcohol]

Wow... my Flames have won two in a row on the road, and have taken points from their last 5 games...

:wow: :wow: :wow:

:yay:
:up::up:

Skrulls, clearly. :p

[Steve Rogers]

What a game in Philly! The Penguins took some cheap shots a Martin Biron. Pretty disrespectful IMO. Umberger had a hat trick and the Flyers remain 5th in the Eastern Conference.That was a great game. I don't care what anyone says, I like Marty Biron.

[Shifty]

Katz makes $188 million offer for Oilers

TSN.ca Staff
12/13/2007 4:45:26 PM

Rexall Founder and Chairman Daryl Katz has made a new offer to purchase the Edmonton Oilers, according to a statement released on Thursday.

According to the release, the terms of the offer are being delivered directly to the shareholders of the Edmonton Investors Group, and EIG founding chairman Cal Nichols said that it was an offer that he would "enthusiastically support." Sources familiar with the bid say it's an offer for shares with an asset purchase value of $188 million."I am extremely proud of what the EIG has done for the Oilers, the City of Edmonton, and Oilers fans everywhere, but it's probably time to pass the torch to a new generation of ownership," said Nichols in the statement.

"I believe that Daryl will be an outstanding owner of the Edmonton Oilers and an important leader in the growth of our City. In addition, the sale of the team will have served all my fellow shareholders very well."

Katz' most recent offer to buy the team was turned down in August, and Nichols said that the group had voted to take the 'For Sale' sign off the franchise. Katz, who owns the Rexall Pharmacy chain, made promises to increase the team payroll and build a new downtown arena.

The Oilers are currently owned by 33 investors who bought the NHL team in 1998.

Katz is listed by Forbes magazine as the 486th richest man in the world. Last year, his net worth totalled $1.6 billion.


The fans in Edmonton deserve a brand new arena, now if those 33 investors could buy an NHL and put it in Winnipeg...

Richards signs 12-year deal with Flyers
Bob McKenzie

12/13/2007 3:33:23 PM

Centre Mike Richards, who has emerged as one of the league's top two-way forwards this season, has signed a contract extension with the Philadelphia Flyers.

TSN has learned it is a 12-year extension for $69 million that averages out at $5.75 million per year for the cap hit.

Richards was scheduled to be a restricted free agent after this season, but the extension will take him off the market and keep him in Philadelphia.

In his third NHL season, Richards has exploded offensively. He leads the Flyers in goals (14), assists (20) and points (34).
Related Info

A reflection of his complete play his season: Richards has four powerplay goals, three shorthanded goals and three game-winning goals. He also has a +10 rating.

A former first round pick, 24th overall in 2003, Richards has 35 goals and 100 points in 166 NHL games.

Whose the agent telling him to take a 12 year contract? Whose the GM offering a 12 year contract? It may be a steal four years from now or they could be overpaying him. I don't like very long term deals, especially for players who haven't proved they can be consistent.

[Themanofbat]

Whose the agent telling him to take a 12 year contract? Whose the GM offering a 12 year contract? It may be a steal four years from now or they could be overpaying him. I don't like very long term deals, especially for players who haven't proved they can be consistent.

Well, as you very well know, certain GM's haven't been very smart in most of the signings we've seen in the last few decades...

:whatever: :whatever: :whatever:

:csad:

[Johnny Blaze]

Well, I went to the Lightning/Flames game the other night. Definitely brought back memories from the 04 Finals with the place being packed with Bolts fans and rocking.
Sat thirteen rows up from the ice on the end boards. Got the seats for dirt cheap too, which was sweet.

Would've been nice if they would've won though. ****ing 9-6 bull****. :cmad: :csad:

[Halcohol]

Well, I went to the Lightning/Flames game the other night. Definitely brought back memories from the 04 Finals with the place being packed with Bolts fans and rocking.
Sat thirteen rows up from the ice on the end boards. Got the seats for dirt cheap too, which was sweet.

Would've been nice if they would've won though. ****ing 9-6 bull****. :cmad: :csad:
Yeah, that was a pretty incredible game to watch. No matter who won, it was still awesome to see so many goals being scored.

[Johnny Blaze]

Yeah, that was a pretty incredible game to watch. No matter who won, it was still awesome to see so many goals being scored.

Yeah, it was a good game. But still would've been better if my Bolts had won. :(

It wasn't a total loss though since I was able to get a guest pass and make it back around the locker rooms afterwards.
Got introduced to Dan Boyle, and met Brad Richards, Chris Gratton, Marty St. Louis, and Jerome Iginla. :woot:

[Themanofbat]

Yeah, it was a good game. But still would've been better if my Bolts had won. :(

It was a nerve-racking game to listen to on the radio...

Go Flames Go!!!!

:woot:

[Johnny Blaze]

It was a nerve-racking game to listen to on the radio...

Go Flames Go!!!!

:woot:

...

God, I hate the Flamers. Just about as much as I hate the Lightnings' inability to play defense. :csad:

[Themanofbat]

...

God, I hate the Flamers. Just about as much as I hate the Lightnings' inability to play defense. :csad:

While I still believe that Calgary beat Tampa in game 6 with a goal that never counted, I've had some initial resentment over the Lightning in 2004, but I'm alright with them now.

I like them when they beat the Habs... :woot: :woot: :woot:

Been a hardcore Flames fan since 1980...

:yay:

[Johnny Blaze]

That's cool. Been a hardcore Bolts fan myself since the first time I saw a game live in 99. Been hooked ever since.

And though I hate the Flames, I do like Iginla. I only got to BS with him for a minute, but he's a cool dude. I asked him when he's going to leave Calgary and come play on Vinny's line.
He just shook his head, smiled, and laughed. :csad:

[Fran]

Wings look SICK once again.

24-6-3.

[NewYorkSpider]

Wings are owning the Western Conference.

Flyers begin to drop in the standings. :csad:

[Fran]

..Owning the NHL. :yay:

[NewYorkSpider]

How could I make that mistake. Of course the NHL. :yay:

[Showtime]

..Owning the NHL. :yay:

Stop being so cocky

:Fran:

[Fran]

I take it Showtime said something smart-ass to my post (as he's on ignore), so I'll retaliate:

No one else is praising the Wings, like the millions of bandwagon fans the Pats have.

[Showtime]

I take it Showtime said something smart-ass to my post (as he's on ignore), so I'll retaliate:

No one else is praising the Wings, like the millions of bandwagon fans the Pats have.

I'm on ignore. Heh Heh.

I am not a bandwagon Patriots fan, so I don't know how that is even remotely related to me.

You called me cocky for believe the Cowboys weren't going to win the Superbowl, note even mentioning the Patriots, yet you're talking about the Red Wings owning the NHL. Colore me confused.

[Fran]

Okay, I read this last post:

I'm not making flat-out claims every week they're gonna win the Cup. As if every Pats fan in the NFL thread is.

[Showtime]

Okay, I read this last post:

I'm not making flat-out claims every week they're gonna win the Cup. As if every Pats fan in the NFL thread is.

I am glad you group everybody together. That's racist. :csad:

[Fran]

Yeah, indeed it is. Because you know it's true.

[Showtime]

Yeah, indeed it is. Because you know it's true.

I never said they were a lock for the Superbowl, but I don't know how you can't say they aren't the favorite. I even said in the NFL thread today, as you know, that the Colts and Jaguars are scary. If you want to group me together with all Patriots fans that's fine with me. :cwink:

[Fran]

Maybe I don't like them as the favorite because I hate them to death? Maybe not.

[NewYorkSpider]

I've never really heard Showtime say the Patriots were gonna win the Super Bowl. I even heard him say he didn't think they'd go undefeated.

[Fran]

I even heard him say he didn't think they'd go undefeated.

Everyone changes their tune once 14-0 hits...

[Showtime]

Maybe I don't like them as the favorite because I hate them to death? Maybe not.

I don't really understand how you can really hate a team. Heck, I don't hate the Yankees?

I've never really heard Showtime say the Patriots were gonna win the Super Bowl. I even heard him say he didn't think they'd go undefeated.

I still don't think they will. I think they'll lose to the Giants. If you look in the thread I also said time after time that I thought the Colts were the team to beat. I would say now, that the Patriots are the favorite.

Everyone changes their tune once 14-0 hits...

The funny thing is, you got miffed because I said the Cowboys weren't going to win the Superbowl and I thought the Patriots were better than the Cowboys. This has nothing to do with being a homer or what not, the Patriots beat the Cowboys this season, and the Cowboys didn't look good in the loss. Also, the Patriots beat the Eagles, and the Cowboys just lost to the Eagles. I only go by stats and facts. Not by internal love.

[Fran]

Asking why I hate the Patriots is like asking a Michigan State fan why he hates Michigan, why a Bears fan hates the Packers, etc. I still hate them for beating the Rams, and I extremely dislike Tom Brady.

I didn't get "miffed" at all. I was just annoyed that you wouldn't debate with me on it. "Pats will probably win it, clear favorite, no one else, etc." So I just stopped arguing my case.

[Showtime]

Asking why I hate the Patriots is like asking a Michigan State fan why he hates Michigan, why a Bears fan hates the Packers, etc. I still hate them for beating the Rams, and I extremely dislike Tom Brady.

I respect the Yankees. I respected the Rams. I just don't feel the same way I guess.

I didn't get "miffed" at all. I was just annoyed that you wouldn't debate with me on it. "Pats will probably win it, clear favorite, no one else, etc." So I just stopped arguing my case.

I think they Patriots are a heavy favorite, how could I not at this point, whether I lived in Baton Rouge or Boston.

I think the Jags are the biggest threat to the Patriots in the AFC, with the Colts right there. In the NFC I think it's Dallas & Green Bay. Based on the Patriots beating Dallas and Dallas beating Green Bay, I would say the Patriots are a better team. That is all we have to go on.

It is the same thing in the NHL at this moment. The Detroit Red Wings are the Patriots of the NHL, just like the Celtics are the Patriots of the NBA. Although the Bruins are tied for the 2nd most points in the Eastern Conference, I think the Red Wings are a better team and are the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. I don't hate them for that.

[Fran]

Nice jab there, "respected." Ha. :yay:

The Celtics are the Pats of the NBA, yes, but meet a tough team (conveniently my Pistons) on Wednesday. And I hope they get a rude awakening. Not all superstar teams are successful in winning titles (see 2004 Lakers).

The Wings may be the Pats of the NHL, but I never see them getting hated on all over the place, or a huge stew of jealousy over them. Maybe it's because the NHL has a crap TV contract, and has little exposure on ESPN. I don't base regular season performance on postseason play. I've said too many times "The Wings are gonna do it" and have them fall flat. Whereas Pats fans/bandwagoners are saying "It's all over! They're gonna do it!" after not seeing how they could play in a postseason game.

[Showtime]

Nice jab there, "respected." Ha.

:angry:

The Celtics are the Pats of the NBA, yes, but meet a tough team (conveniently my Pistons) on Wednesday. And I hope they get a rude awakening. Not all superstar teams are successful in winning titles (see 2004 Lakers).

We don't have to wait too long for that, the 19th I believe. We'll see what happens I guess. I know that not all superstar teams win it in the end, (2001 Rams). I do think the Celtics can make some noise in the playoffs if they get in. :yay:

The Wings may be the Pats of the NHL, but I never see them getting hated on all over the place, or a huge stew of jealousy over them. Maybe it's because the NHL has a crap TV contract, and has little exposure on ESPN. I don't base regular season performance on postseason play. I've said too many times "The Wings are gonna do it" and have them fall flat. Whereas Pats fans/bandwagoners are saying "It's all over! They're gonna do it!" after not seeing how they could play in a postseason game.

I think they don't get as much hate, one because of the exposure of hockey as you have said. Two, because they weren't accused and found guilty of cheating as the Patriots were. Luckily I don't fall into either of those categories, "Yahoo Pats Fan/Patriots Bandwagoner", I might be insulted.

[Fran]

I was basically referring to the idiots known as Psycho Symbiote.

:cmad::up: RAMS! :cmad::up:

[Showtime]

Edit

[Fran]

I didn't say that.

[Fran]

Good debate.

Fran 1-0

[Steve Rogers]

I still don't know why everyone b**ches about the Celtics schedule. In the end, they will play all the same teams as everyone else will. They'll play the teams in their conference four times and they'll play teams in the other conference twice. No one gets an "easy" schedule.

[Immortalfire]

Islanders' Chris Simon out 30 games..http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/hockey/nhl/12/19/bc.hkn.simonsuspended.ap/index.html


Geesh, will they go ahead and just kick him out of the league?

[Showtime]

Good debate.

Fran 1-0

What game were you watching?

The Bruins proved they are not quite ready for primetime in their loss to the Senators. They certainly played them tough and Auld played well, but they are not quite there.

[Dark Donnie]

Islanders' Chris Simon out 30 games..http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/hockey/nhl/12/19/bc.hkn.simonsuspended.ap/index.html


Geesh, will they go ahead and just kick him out of the league?

I've read numerous reports that claim this might be it for Simon

[Halcohol]

Good news: The Flames are 6-0 on their road trip, with the top line of Iginla, Huselius, and Langkow combining for 42 points in 9 games.

Bad news: The Flames have not moved in the standings due to the high level of competition in the NW Division, in which all 5 teams are separated by only 5 points.

I'll be highly impressed if anyone other than Chicago can stop the Red Wings.

[Steve Rogers]

What game were you watching?

The Bruins proved they are not quite ready for primetime in their loss to the Senators. They certainly played them tough and Auld played well, but they are not quite there.Yeah, that was a heart breaker. Who knows? There's still some time until April for them to get their act together.

[Fran]

I'll be highly impressed if anyone other than Chicago can stop the Red Wings.

Yeah, that perplexes me. We can beat every other team in the NHL but Chicago.

They do have two young kids who are playing solid, as is Robert Lang. Dude plays heated when he is against the Wings.

Another solid win tonight, 6-2 over the Kings :up:

[NewYorkSpider]

Islanders' Chris Simon out 30 games..http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/hockey/nhl/12/19/bc.hkn.simonsuspended.ap/index.html


Geesh, will they go ahead and just kick him out of the league?

This is his seventh ban. That's ridiculous. They should kick him out.

[Themanofbat]

There should be some really good hockey in the next couple of days before X-Mas break...

:word: :word: :word:

:yay:

[Shifty]

This is his seventh ban. That's ridiculous. They should kick him out.

Actually its his 8th! He should be banned.

[Fran]

I heard that they might kick him out permanently.

[Eric Draven]

I think with his rep the way it is, he's probably not going to come back anyways....

[Immortalfire]

I heard that they might kick him out permanently.

:up:

[Watson]

I heard that they might kick him out permanently.

Good :cmad:. His hockey goon gone psycho thing has gotten old, not to mention dangerous.

[Steve Rogers]

I'm getting sick of Crosby and the Pens. Pittsburgh up on Boston 4-1 at the end of the 2nd.

[Showtime]

Yeah, that was a heart breaker. Who knows? There's still some time until April for them to get their act together.

I think they are a playoff team, but they have some work to do.

I'm getting sick of Crosby and the Pens. Pittsburgh up on Boston 4-1 at the end of the 2nd.

Pens are skating around them tonight.

[Fran]

I think the Wings are beating St. Louis, but I'm watching the Rams.

[Immortalfire]

Thrashers beat Ottawa! :woot: :up:

[Showtime]

Bruins lose in a shootout to Pitt. but they are one of only two teams to have over 40 points in the east along with the Ottawa Senators.

[Shifty]

Wayne Gretzky is a bastard
4Gd5uFWJA38

[NewYorkSpider]

^^He's a greedy bastard.

Philly keeps droping in the standings. :csad:

[Ironfan72]

Man, my Jackets lost a tough one last night to the Pred's. we seem to have trouble against Nashville, hope things get better soon.

[Stevens25]

I'm hoping that the Pens can beat Washington tonight. We need to get on a little winning streak here.

[Jerry!]

I went to my first Blackhawks game last night in about 7 or 8 years and MERCY. It was crazy. I thought Wirtz had done unrepairable damage to the franchise the way he handled it but it looks like the roar is returning. They may make the playoffs, they may not, but they have a few good young players on this team that are only going to get better, especially now that Wirtz is dead. Hockey was dead in Chicago for years, it looks like it is finally making a come back.

[Steve Rogers]

Damn. Bruins are slipping up in their last few games.

[Shifty]

I went to my first Blackhawks game last night in about 7 or 8 years and MERCY. It was crazy. I thought Wirtz had done unrepairable damage to the franchise the way he handled it but it looks like the roar is returning. They may make the playoffs, they may not, but they have a few good young players on this team that are only going to get better, especially now that Wirtz is dead. Hockey was dead in Chicago for years, it looks like it is finally making a come back.

I saw the game was sold out, hopefully there are more people seeing that the Blackhawks are on the rise. The NHL needs strong teams in traditional hockey markets if they want to survive. The Canadian ones are doing their part.

[Jerry!]

Yeah it was great. The Hawks won and afterward all of them came out to the ice again and thanked the fans for coming, gave up some pucks and sticks. There were a lot of standing ovations in between periods and at the end of the game.

[NewYorkSpider]

I've only been to a ECHL game. I went and watched the Elmira Jackals who are an affilate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

[Fran]

Wings are kickin' ass. Ozzy is 16-2-1 :eek:

[Shifty]

Wings are kickin' ass. Ozzy is 16-2-1 :eek:

And I thought he was done years ago. Of course having Lidstrom helps.

[Fran]

Wings the first team to cross 60 points :up:

[Immortalfire]

Tonight I went to my first game this season, Thrashers pound the Bruins 5-0 :up: :word:

[NewYorkSpider]

Flyers beat Tampa 4-2 tonight. We are keeping steady pace in the east and are only 5 points out of the 2nd seed.

[Watson]

I saw the game was sold out, hopefully there are more people seeing that the Blackhawks are on the rise. The NHL needs strong teams in traditional hockey markets if they want to survive. The Canadian ones are doing their part.

Agree 100%. I think to any exspansion talk should either be held off or directed to markets that are guaranteed to do well (ie that already have a strong market for hockey). Well I understand why a lot of fans didn't want the Pens moved, the fact that the league didn't push harder for the Preds to move to Southern Ontario is nuts to me. Ticket sales alone would have probably more then tripled what the Preds are doing now.

In other news, Leafs get massacred by the Rangers 6-1. Our GM didn't even stick around to see the end of the game :o.

[Shifty]

Agree 100%. I think to any exspansion talk should either be held off or directed to markets that are guaranteed to do well (ie that already have a strong market for hockey). Well I understand why a lot of fans didn't want the Pens moved, the fact that the league didn't push harder for the Preds to move to Southern Ontario is nuts to me. Ticket sales alone would have probably more then tripled what the Preds are doing now.


Toronto's ticket sales are three times the sales of Atlanta (sorry Immortalfire), with double the cost of tickets.

[Watson]

Toronto's ticket sales are three times the sales of Atlanta (sorry Immortalfire), with double the cost of tickets.

Don't I know it. Getting tickets to a Leafs game can be as tough as getting tickets to a really hyped concert. And if they are making a playoff run? Forget it. Which is why another team in this market would be fantastic. Already plenty of leafs/hockey fans will travle to Ottawa/Montreal/Buffalo to see games.

[Steve Rogers]

Tonight I went to my first game this season, Thrashers pound the Bruins 5-0 :up: :word:You suck.

[Fran]

Yikes, the Wings have trouble against two divisional opponents now: First Chicago, now St. Louis.

[Fran]

Osgood for 2008 Vezina

[Immortalfire]

I'm presently trying to locate me some all star tickets.

[Stevens25]

Congrats to Evgeni Malkin tonight for his first NHL hat trick! Pens destroy Maple Leafs 6-2.:woot:

[Johnny Blaze]

Osgood for 2008 Vezina

Lightning for the #1 overall draft pick! :yay: :up: :o :csad:

[Fran]

How the mighty have fallen :csad:

[Johnny Blaze]

How the mighty have fallen :csad:

Yeah, but that's what happens when you have half your team's salary tied into four players and an owner who doesn't want to spend any more money to bring in decent second-line scorer or some much needed defensive help. :csad:

Hopefully Koules will be willing to spend the money it will take to improve the team. Nothing against Davidson, but he's always been more concerned with the Pistons than the Lightning.

[Fran]

Damn him! :cmad:

:ninja::up:

[Dark Donnie]

Is Zetterberg back?

[Fran]

Not yet, but he should be back within a week or so.

[Dark Donnie]

:cmad: I was starting to make a comeback in fantasy, I need him in the lineup

[Johnny Blaze]

Zetterberg came back on Wednesday though and got two assists against the Stars. :huh:

[Fran]

Zetterberg came back on Wednesday though and got two assists against the Stars. :huh:

Oh. Hahaha. :csad:

I haven't watched a Wings game in a while :o

[Johnny Blaze]

Oh. Hahaha. :csad:

I haven't watched a Wings game in a while :o

Heh, that's kind of funny. The Wings are in first and you haven't watched a game in a while.
And the Bolts are last and I can't take my eyes off of that trainwreck. :o

[Fran]

I do catch the scores and stuff Live on ESPN.com, though.

[Johnny Blaze]

I do catch the scores and stuff Live on ESPN.com, though.

Ok, so at least you make up for it then. :up:

[Dark Donnie]

:huh: they had him listed as injured this morning. good that hes back :up:

[Johnny Blaze]

:huh: they had him listed as injured this morning. good that hes back :up:

Don't know what to tell ya. I was going off of Yahoo Sports and they mentioned he returned on the 3rd for the Dallas game.

Maybe he's still hurting and the Wings just have him still listed as injured? Or maybe he re-injured himself in the game? :huh:

[Shifty]

How the mighty have fallen :csad:

Is Tampa going after Cujo?
They are only 9 points out of a playoff spot. Feaster can't be stubborn anymore his team is in the basement with LA, something has to happen.

[Watson]

Is Tampa going after Cujo?
They are only 9 points out of a playoff spot. Feaster can't be stubborn anymore his team is in the basement with LA, something has to happen.

Might depend on his performance in the Spengler Cup (which honestly I have not been following).

Lightning for the #1 overall draft pick! :yay: :up: :o :csad:

I expect the Leafs to give Tampa a run for it :D

[Johnny Blaze]

Speaking about the #1 pick and all that...does anybody know the top prospects for the next draft?

Is Tampa going after Cujo?
They are only 9 points out of a playoff spot. Feaster can't be stubborn anymore his team is in the basement with LA, something has to happen.

With the ownership possibly switching from Davidson the Koules, Feaster is under pressure to not make any trades to change the market value of the club. So for now the Big Four are not going anywhere, and the team won't make any moves to get some much needed blue line and secondary scoring help.
Least not until the deal progresses more.

[Shifty]

Might depend on his performance in the Spengler Cup (which honestly I have not been following).

I expect the Leafs to give Tampa a run for it :D

He won them gold last week.

Speaking about the #1 pick and all that...does anybody know the top prospects for the next draft?



With the ownership possibly switching from Davidson the Koules, Feaster is under pressure to not make any trades to change the market value of the club. So for now the Big Four are not going anywhere, and the team won't make any moves to get some much needed blue line and secondary scoring help.
Least not until the deal progresses more.

Next year you should check out the World Juniors Tournament (Galactus has a thread IIHF World U20 Championships) where you'll see a lot of drafted and yet to be drafted teenagers.

Here's the rankings. Stamkos would be a great pick up. But its 2009 that you want to finish last for "The Next Next One", John Tavares.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=11183&hubname=

[Fran]

Dominik Hasek posts his 78th career shutout, Wings beat Dallas again :up:

[Johnny Blaze]

He won them gold last week.



Next year you should check out the World Juniors Tournament (Galactus has a thread IIHF World U20 Championships) where you'll see a lot of drafted and yet to be drafted teenagers.

Here's the rankings. Stamkos would be a great pick up. But its 2009 that you want to finish last for "The Next Next One", John Tavares.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=11183&hubname=

Sweet. Thanks for the link. :up:

[Fran]

Thank GOD we beat the Blackhawks.

[Jerry!]

Please tell me one of Osgood's nicknames is Osgreat.

[Fran]

He's unstoppable. Dude's playing out of his mind this year.

I believe he's either 19-2-1 or 20-2-1.

[NewYorkSpider]

Detroit is having one hell of a season. What's the record for most games won/points in a season? Does anybody know?

Philly continues to hang right at the 8th seen in the EC. Hope they can get their act together and move up.

[E. Nygma]

Detroit is having one hell of a season. What's the record for most games won/points in a season? Does anybody know?

Philly continues to hang right at the 8th seen in the EC. Hope they can get their act together and move up.

It's going to be tough now that we are missing Joffrey Lupul for two weeks. He has been one of our more consistent scorers this season, and this coming with Simon Gagne already out with concussion issues.

I could see Holmgren pulling off a trade right now, and dont rule out the return of Peter the Great if he ever gets his foot healthy either.

[NewYorkSpider]

Gagne should return sometime this month. I read that he's headed in the right direction to get back on the ice.

Forsberg won't come back. He'll retire sometime this year.

[Dark Donnie]

Gagne should return sometime this month. I read that he's headed in the right direction to get back on the ice.

Forsberg won't come back. He'll retire sometime this year.

TSN reported he began skating again after the set back. He stated he would prefer to play with Philly but Colorado or The Preds is likely....that was from the 4th

[E. Nygma]

TSN reported he began skating again after the set back. He stated he would prefer to play with Philly but Colorado or The Preds is likely....that was from the 4th

Thats what i had heard. I think we will see him back towards the end of the season, and i think it's going to be in Philadelphia or Colorado. Depending on where both teams are in the standings will determine who wants him more.

[NewYorkSpider]

I've heard rumors(like a month ago) that Forsberg would be intrested in playing with Ottawa or Detroit(makes sense cause they're leading their conferences). What more better than to go out on a high note and raise the cup. The Flyers, Preds, and Avs have a chance since he played with them. I really don't see him coming back if his ankle will be a problem. If what you heard is true, then I hope he comes to the Flyers.

[Dark Donnie]

I've heard rumors(like a month ago) that Forsberg would be intrested in playing with Ottawa or Detroit(makes sense cause they're leading their conferences). What more better than to go out on a high note and raise the cup. The Flyers, Preds, and Avs have a chance since he played with them. I really don't see him coming back if his ankle will be a problem. If what you heard is true, then I hope he comes to the Flyers.

I saw an interview where he talked about how disgusted he felt in his time with Philly(being injured, nothing with the team or town). He said he felt like he wasn't at 100% to often and feels like he has unfinished business. The main problem would be fitting him under the cap, other then that I think they would make a run at him before the end of this season or before next, when he should be closer to 100%.

[NewYorkSpider]

I saw an interview where he talked about how disgusted he felt in his time with Philly(being injured, nothing with the team or town). He said he felt like he wasn't at 100% to often and feels like he has unfinished business. The main problem would be fitting him under the cap, other then that I think they would make a run at him before the end of this season or before next, when he should be closer to 100%.

I'd rather get him when he's at 100%, cause if he comes back too early and re-injures his ankle, he'll then think about retirement. We have a lot of free agents next year and Briere yearly salary goes down from 10mil to 8mil. We should have enough cap room if he decides to play in Philadelphia again.

[Immortalfire]

Starters for all star game...

EAST
Sidney Crosby, Penguins
Vincent Lecavalier, Lightning
Daniel Alfredsson, Senators
Andrei Markov, Canadiens
Zdeno Chara, Bruins
Martin Brodeur, Devils

WEST
Henrik Zetterberg, Red Wings
Pavel Datsyuk, Red Wings
Jarome Iginla, Flames
Nicklas Lidstrom, Red Wings
Dion Phaneuf, Flames
Roberto Luongo, Canucks

[Dark Donnie]

Kovalchuk? :huh:

[Immortalfire]

Kovalchuk? :huh:

For real :huh:

[Dark Donnie]

Isn't the game in Atlanta? You would think that alone would have gotten him in over Lecavalier

[Shifty]

Isn't the game in Atlanta? You would think that alone would have gotten him in over Lecavalier

Guess the Atlanta fans came up short. He'll make the team. The voting for starters is just a marketing thing.

[Johnny Blaze]

Isn't the game in Atlanta? You would think that alone would have gotten him in over Lecavalier

You mean over Alfredsson. :cmad:

[Dark Donnie]

You mean over Alfredsson. :cmad:

Or him:yay: Aren't Heatley's stats better then Alfredsson's as well?:huh:

[Immortalfire]

Guess the Atlanta fans came up short. He'll make the team. The voting for starters is just a marketing thing.

We voted, the rest of the nation voted for others more lol.

[Johnny Blaze]

Or him:yay: Aren't Heatley's stats better then Alfredsson's as well?:huh:

No, they both stand at 55 points for the year. Though I do like Heatley more than Alfredsson. :o

[Dark Donnie]

No, they both stand at 55 points for the year. Though I do like Heatley more than Alfredsson. :o

I just noticed they are the same, but Heatley +- is 32, where Alfredsson is 16, other then that they are relatively the same in other categories.

[Johnny Blaze]

As long as Vinny's a starter I'm happy. Lord knows he's the only Lightning who really deserves to go. :o

[E. Nygma]

last night Paul Holmgren said the Flyers would go heavily after Forsberg if he told them he was healthy. He said something along the lines of "the best judge of Peter's health, is Peter, and if he thinks he can come back to play then we would have interest in getting something done."

[Hush]

end of the 1st and my Blues are beating columbus.

[Ironfan72]

What do you guys think of Pascal LeClaire getting on the All star team for the West squad?
He's 1st in the league in shutouts with 7, tied for second in goals against at 1.97 and 4th in save % at .928 and has Columbus in Playoff contention for the first time in club history.

[E. Nygma]

Flyers light it four times in the second and are now beating the Thrashers 4-1!

[Fran]

Always good to beat the Avs :word:

[Hush]

2-0 at the end of the 2nd, LETS GO BLUES!

[Johnny Blaze]

Holy crap! My Bolts actually held off a team in the third period! The end is nigh! :wow:

[Immortalfire]

Geez, are we EVER going to beat Philly? We've built up (for the most part) winning records against everyone else in the east. Except them. :csad:

[E. Nygma]

Gagne should return sometime this month. I read that he's headed in the right direction to get back on the ice.

Forsberg won't come back. He'll retire sometime this year.

BTW, I heard Gagne would be back sometime this week. Since we play four games this week he'll return in one of them.

[Hush]

The Blues kill the Jackest 6-1 man my gf is lucky to be there.

[Steve Rogers]

Bruins went from 9th in the East to 6th in two days...not bad. Well, the season is officially half over. 41 games in. What's everyone got to say thus far? I'm pleased with Boston's turnaround. I don't see a Cup in our future yet, but I think the B's will be in the playoffs this year. It's a start. This has been a decent season so far.

[NewYorkSpider]

BTW, I heard Gagne would be back sometime this week. Since we play four games this week he'll return in one of them.

That's good news.

Flyers beat the Thrashers tonight 4-1. Doesn't surprise me. We always dominate Atlanta.

Anaheim seems to be making a charge up the Western Conference. Detroit is still the dominate force there though.

[Hush]

Well 4 one gamesin and my Blues are still holdin strong which is saying alot if anyone knew about last year outside of STL. Detroit is still the dominate force not just in the west but i would say all around the league, these guys are tough but we have seen chicago and the blues beat them up a bit, so its an interesting season for sure. We had a beautifully well done winter classic and saw real good performances out of two decent clubs. Calder trophy prospects are comming in and 2 bluenotes have been mentioned, good for me. lol Overall though I think that after this season Hockey will be back on the Map for good all over the nation.

[E. Nygma]

That's good news.

Flyers beat the Thrashers tonight 4-1. Doesn't surprise me. We always dominate Atlanta.

Anaheim seems to be making a charge up the Western Conference. Detroit is still the dominate force there though.

Antero Nittymaki is 7-0 against the Thrashers and i believe 4-0 against his fellow Finnish counter part Lehtonen who was not in pipes for Atlanta but has been in the past in Nitty's other dominant performances against them.

As for the Forsberg watch:
- He's going to skate this week and decided within the next 2-3 weeks if he is going to return to playing or retire.
- He's leaning towards coming back, and is also leaning towards coming back to the Flyers.
- Allegedly all it will take is a Phone call from the Forsberg to the Flyers for this to be done, thats how much they want him. If Peter says he's healthy and wants to come back, it will be done and he'll be in Philadelphia.
- Holmgren says that they have enough cap room for Forsberg to sign a deal for the remainder of the season (1-1.5 million may do the trick).

[Steve Rogers]

Forsberg's coming back? I would have never have guessed. If he does come back to Philly and he's as good as he has been, watch out for the Flyers.

[Dark Donnie]

Flyers believed to be favorites for Forsberg (http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080106/SPORTS04/801060341/1002/sports)

There are a few others stating pretty much the same thing

[E. Nygma]

Forsberg's coming back? I would have never have guessed. If he does come back to Philly and he's as good as he has been, watch out for the Flyers.

Only if he's healthy

and the strong speculation is that Simon Gagne will be back tomorrow night and possibly be skating with some type of neck support/head support to protect him from another concussion.

Joffrey Lupul has a bruised spine, a LUCKY injury (could have been much worse). He's been told not to do ANYTHING for two weeks, not Hockey related anyway. So two weeks from now you figure he'd be back skating, and then getting back into the flow of things, so you're probably looking really at 3-4 weeks he'll miss.

- The pre caution on Lupul is that he also suffered his 4th career concussion. In a relatively short amount of time. Thats something you dont want to mess with a lot, so the Flyers are going to have to really evaluate him and make sure he's good to go before he plays.

[Shifty]

Ovechkin and some Caps on a Segway
http://withleather.com/index.phtml?t=WASHINGTON+CAPITALS

OV will be the first person to kill someone on a Segway.

[Shifty]

Halfway mark

"If the playoffs started today..."

OTT vs NYI
NJ vs BOS
CAR vs PHI
PIT vs MTL

DET vs STL
VAN vs ANA
SJ vs MIN
DAL vs CGY

LA, TB and WAS would try to win the draft lottery with LA most likely winning.

The Canadian media would go crazy since Crosby would be playing a Canadian team; Crosby's favourite team growing up. Flyers, Hurricanes and Bruins would be back, Maple Leafs would go 41 years without a Stanley Cup. The Blues would return to the playoffs but face the dominant Red Wings, Canucks face the defending champs and SJ would probably blow it versus the Wild.

It used to be if you were 13th or 14th your season was done by now but not anymore. 13 teams will be fighting for 7 playoff spots (DET and OTT are safe) in the West and same in the East for the last half of the season.

[Shifty]

An All-Star Twist
James Duthie
TSN.ca
1/9/2008

Sources tell TSN the NHL will introduce an NBA Slam-Dunk Contest style shootout at this year's All-Star Skills Competition in Atlanta.

Players will be asked to perform the craziest trick-shots they can come up with. Between the leg shots, spin-a-ramas, over the shoulder lacrosse moves, it's all fair game. A panel of celebrities, still to be announced, will judge the shooters on their originality.

The shootout will feature three players from each conference. They will be allowed to start from anywhere on the ice, even behind the net they are shooting on. The competitors will get two chances each. The judges will score the move anywhere from a 1 to a 9. If the player scores, he'll get an additional point, allowing for the possibility of a perfect 10. All six All-Star goalies will take a turn in net.

The two players with the highest scores from each conference will showdown in the final. Once again, they will get two attempts each. The single best score (ie: one 10 beats two 9's) is declared the shootout champion.

Unlike the NBA Slam-Dunk Contest, the shootout will only involve players on the All-Star teams.

The shootout will be the showcase event of a revamped skills competition.

The fastest skater event will now be a head-to-head 125-foot sprint from one goal line to just inside the opposite blueline.

The skills relay has also been altered dramatically. It will involve stick-handling, saucer passes, one-timers, and goalies having a chance to try to score by shooting the puck the length of the ice (is Ron Hextall available?)

The Youngstars Game, a disaster last year, is also being changed. It will be shortened to two 6-minute periods of 3-on-3. It will also get a more prominent placing, in the middle of the skills event. Last year, the Youngstars played an uninspired (understatement) game to a half-empty arena before the real All-Stars took to the ice in Dallas.

The all-star skills competition is slated for Saturday, January 26 in Atlanta.


Sounds great, especially the revamped Young Stars and shootout.

[fu manchu]

Shootout sounds cool. definately, something to watch.

[Dark Donnie]

Good News, the skills comp. has been lacking for many years

[Immortalfire]

Tickets are sky high for the all star game...right in my own backyard and I'm probably missing it :csad:

[Watson]

Halfway mark

"If the playoffs started today..."

OTT vs NYI
NJ vs BOS
CAR vs PHI
PIT vs MTL

DET vs STL
VAN vs ANA
SJ vs MIN
DAL vs CGY

LA, TB and WAS would try to win the draft lottery with LA most likely winning.

The Canadian media would go crazy since Crosby would be playing a Canadian team; Crosby's favourite team growing up. Flyers, Hurricanes and Bruins would be back, Maple Leafs would go 41 years without a Stanley Cup. The Blues would return to the playoffs but face the dominant Red Wings, Canucks face the defending champs and SJ would probably blow it versus the Wild.

It used to be if you were 13th or 14th your season was done by now but not anymore. 13 teams will be fighting for 7 playoff spots (DET and OTT are safe) in the West and same in the East for the last half of the season.

MTL v. PIT would be a great match-up. Since the Leafs are not going to make it anyways, I will probably root for Montreal as a back-up.

I would actually love for the Leafs to come in last and actually be able to pick up some decent picks in the draft, but I suspect they will pull the same idiotic stuff they have been doing for the last few years. It's very frustrating rooting for a team that is run like an old boys club.

[E. Nygma]

Tickets are sky high for the all star game...right in my own backyard and I'm probably missing it :csad:

High Ticket pricing for NHL games is a huge reason that the sport is failing to grow.

[Shifty]

High Ticket pricing for NHL games is a huge reason that the sport is failing to grow.

They're lower than the average NBA ticket (and NFL). There are plenty of crazy deals in the markets that can't draw. And the demand meets the high prices in the sold out markets

High price of hockey equipment for people to play in high school, minor leagues or rec leagues are a huge reason the sport is failing to grow.

$160-$70 for junior skates,
$250-$60 for senior skates
$129-$60 for 1 piece sticks (while the rarely shatter wood ones are around $30)
$60-$25 for jr. shoulder pads
$50-$90 for sr. shoulder pads
$40-$100 for sr gloves
$30-$60 for jr gloves
$60-$120 for jr helmets
$60-$140 for sr helmets
plus all the accessories, hockey jerseys, hockey bags, fees for leagues, fund raising, renting rinks, tournaments etc.

[Watson]

That's why there is a growing trend of upper class and wealthy hockey players being top contenders over working class players in the past. Mike Comrie, for example, is the son of the man who owns the Brick furniture chain here in Canada.

[E. Nygma]

They're lower than the average NBA ticket (and NFL). There are plenty of crazy deals in the markets that can't draw. And the demand meets the high prices in the sold out markets

High price of hockey equipment for people to play in high school, minor leagues or rec leagues are a huge reason the sport is failing to grow.

$160-$70 for junior skates,
$250-$60 for senior skates
$129-$60 for 1 piece sticks (while the rarely shatter wood ones are around $30)
$60-$25 for jr. shoulder pads
$50-$90 for sr. shoulder pads
$40-$100 for sr gloves
$30-$60 for jr gloves
$60-$120 for jr helmets
$60-$140 for sr helmets
plus all the accessories, hockey jerseys, hockey bags, fees for leagues, fund raising, renting rinks, tournaments etc.

As true as that is, the NHL ticket prices are far too expensive considering the lack of mass popularity of the sport in the states.

[Steve Rogers]

They're lower than the average NBA ticket (and NFL). There are plenty of crazy deals in the markets that can't draw. And the demand meets the high prices in the sold out markets

High price of hockey equipment for people to play in high school, minor leagues or rec leagues are a huge reason the sport is failing to grow.

$160-$70 for junior skates,
$250-$60 for senior skates
$129-$60 for 1 piece sticks (while the rarely shatter wood ones are around $30)
$60-$25 for jr. shoulder pads
$50-$90 for sr. shoulder pads
$40-$100 for sr gloves
$30-$60 for jr gloves
$60-$120 for jr helmets
$60-$140 for sr helmets
plus all the accessories, hockey jerseys, hockey bags, fees for leagues, fund raising, renting rinks, tournaments etc.
And when you play while growing up you gotta buy a lot of that stuff every year. I'm so glad I've stopped growing. No my equipment lasts a lot longer. I do need a new goalie mask though...and one day I want to get a custom painted one. I'm thinking paint it blue with a white A on the forehead and two white wings on the side :up:

[Steve Rogers]

As true as that is, the NHL ticket prices are far too expensive considering the lack of mass popularity of the sport in the states.Doesn't that drive the cost up though? Since there are fewer people out there paying for tickets, than say baseball, the league has to charge more for the tickets?

[E. Nygma]

Doesn't that drive the cost up though? Since there are fewer people out there paying for tickets, than say baseball, the league has to charge more for the tickets?

If teams charged baseball prices for hockey tickets i'd be pretty surprised if every team in the league didn't sell out. Instead it's 40 dollars a seat for the seats highest up from the ice at Flyers games. Granted this is a good hockey market and people are willing to pay that.

Hockey has no chance of ever bringing in minorities with the expenses of equipment and the prices of games.

[Steve Rogers]

Of course you are talking just NHL. There are tons of hockey leagues in North America--some of them charge about 10 bucks for tickets. Just because the NHL charges up the wazoo doesn't mean that all hockey is too expensive to at least watch.

But, yeah equipment is super expensive. Also, the facilities are expensive for towns to construct and maintain. Poor towns don't have ice rinks.

Part of the lack of appeal of hockey in US might be due to the large portion of the population that live in warm climates. The Northeast and Mid-West are the hotbeds of hockey in the US. They are also the coldest regions where kids can spend their free time on frozen ponds for free. Most pond hockey games are played with sticks and minimal padding. Ice rinks won't even let you in without all of the equipment. All this, in my opinion, makes hockey more accessible for kids of any financial bracket in colder climates. But the Northwest, the South, the Southwest--all warm environments where the only hockey is played by rich people in fancy rinks decked out with all the equipment.

[E. Nygma]

Of course you are talking just NHL. There are tons of hockey leagues in North America--some of them charge about 10 bucks for tickets. Just because the NHL charges up the wazoo doesn't mean that all hockey is too expensive to at least watch.

But, yeah equipment is super expensive. Also, the facilities are expensive for towns to construct and maintain. Poor towns don't have ice rinks.

Part of the lack of appeal of hockey in US might be due to the large portion of the population that live in warm climates. The Northeast and Mid-West are the hotbeds of hockey in the US. They are also the coldest regions where kids can spend their free time on frozen ponds for free. Most pond hockey games are played with sticks and minimal padding. Ice rinks won't even let you in without all of the equipment. All this, in my opinion, makes hockey more accessible for kids of any financial bracket in colder climates. But the Northwest, the South, the Southwest--all warm environments where the only hockey is played by rich people in fancy rinks decked out with all the equipment.

I agree, but before concentrating on taking hockey to warm weather climates i really think they need to find a way to urbanize the sport. I think if Hockey was able to somehow find a gem minority player who was just REALLY REALLY good an entire new wave of an NHL fan base would be born, and kids from the inner city black, white, Hispanic anyone impoverished would see that it's not impossible to make it in hockey no matter where you come from.

[Dark Donnie]

Ovechkin inks massive extension with Caps

Alex Ovechkin has agreed to terms on a monstrous 13-year deal with the Capitals worth a staggering $124 million.

It is the most lucrative contract in NHL history that will pay the Russian superstar $9 million per year for the first six years and $10 million for the next seven years. Ovechkin has been a force for Washington this season with 32 goals and 52 points in 43 games. Who knows, maybe now other NHL players will have Alexander the Great negotiate their deals as well after a return like that. Jan. 10 - 7:14 pm et
Source: TSN.ca

[E. Nygma]

Good thing for Hockey, that such an exciting player is now locked in long term to a struggling franchise.

Speaking of good thing for Hockey! Tonight in Fraudway:

Flyers 5 Rangers 2 MID 3RD

[Shifty]

If teams charged baseball prices for hockey tickets i'd be pretty surprised if every team in the league didn't sell out. Instead it's 40 dollars a seat for the seats highest up from the ice at Flyers games. Granted this is a good hockey market and people are willing to pay that.

Hockey has no chance of ever bringing in minorities with the expenses of equipment and the prices of games.

Every team would sellout but more teams would be losing money if they had MLB prices, which is half the NHL average (but they play twice as long). Philly does have an AHL team. HNIC did a story on Calgary and that they have a section for $20 tickets to make games affordable. I know Ottawa has a $20 section as well. Atlanta has a 2 for 1 deal, and a family of four deal for $80 plus food/drinks.

The equipment companies are to partially blame.

To grow the game of hockey I don't think you send a expansion or relocated team to a non-traditional market. You need to start from the bottom by building community rinks, maybe put an AHL franchise their depending on the market, have an NHL exhibition game, have street hockey tournaments, build floor hockey rinks, getting involved with the local schools and universities. Have players visit the cities.

Then after 10 years look at moving to that market. Back in the late 80s the NHL should have looked at potential markets and planted "seeds" in a dozen markets and monitor how things are going and then select the best for expansion. Nashville won't payoff for another 40 years. They only went there because they had a rink ready and they were the only ones with the entire expansion fee ready, while Hamilton couldn't make the franchise fee in one payment. Nashville did and that's why they were playing before Atlanta, Columbus and Minnesota.

Across Canada as soon as you can walk on skates you're in a league. All the midget leagues, junior leagues, high school, university, provincial, the AHL and NHL then all beer leagues/rec leagues. Its everywhere. Its like football.


I agree, but before concentrating on taking hockey to warm weather climates i really think they need to find a way to urbanize the sport. I think if Hockey was able to somehow find a gem minority player who was just REALLY REALLY good an entire new wave of an NHL fan base would be born, and kids from the inner city black, white, Hispanic anyone impoverished would see that it's not impossible to make it in hockey no matter where you come from.

I don't know how many minorities are in Buffalo but Hasek donated a million dollars to help lower class children play hockey. We need more millionaire players (like OV does he need $9million?) giving away a fair bit of change to grow the game.

Ovechkin inks massive extension with Caps

Alex Ovechkin has agreed to terms on a monstrous 13-year deal with the Capitals worth a staggering $124 million.

It is the most lucrative contract in NHL history that will pay the Russian superstar $9 million per year for the first six years and $10 million for the next seven years. Ovechkin has been a force for Washington this season with 32 goals and 52 points in 43 games. Who knows, maybe now other NHL players will have Alexander the Great negotiate their deals as well after a return like that. Jan. 10 - 7:14 pm et
Source: TSN.ca

Good thing for Hockey, that such an exciting player is now locked in long term to a struggling franchise.

Speaking of good thing for Hockey! Tonight in Fraudway:

Flyers 5 Rangers 2 MID 3RD

The Caps will always struggle as long as they have Ted as their owner. He makes all the big decisions, and where has it gotten the franchise? They have OV and Semin and they're still at the bottom of the East. Meanwhile Crosby and his Penguins are looking at home ice advantage.

He should've signed a 1 year deal and then seen what teams (playoff/Stanley Cup contenders) would've been calling.

[Immortalfire]

Ovechkin inks massive extension with Caps

Alex Ovechkin has agreed to terms on a monstrous 13-year deal with the Capitals worth a staggering $124 million.

It is the most lucrative contract in NHL history that will pay the Russian superstar $9 million per year for the first six years and $10 million for the next seven years. Ovechkin has been a force for Washington this season with 32 goals and 52 points in 43 games. Who knows, maybe now other NHL players will have Alexander the Great negotiate their deals as well after a return like that. Jan. 10 - 7:14 pm et
Source: TSN.ca

Good gosh, that's a lotta dough :wow:

[Fran]

Man, although the Wings only lost 6-5, Ozzy got his ass kicked. :down

[Steve Rogers]

I agree, but before concentrating on taking hockey to warm weather climates i really think they need to find a way to urbanize the sport. I think if Hockey was able to somehow find a gem minority player who was just REALLY REALLY good an entire new wave of an NHL fan base would be born, and kids from the inner city black, white, Hispanic anyone impoverished would see that it's not impossible to make it in hockey no matter where you come from.
What about Iginla?

[Immortalfire]

Thrashers lose in a shootout, but Kovalchuk gets league-leading 36th goal.

[Immortalfire]

Wild under new ownership..http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Aqy06geiKagbt6rwNBbwXat7vLYF?slug=ap-wild-sale&prov=ap&type=lgns

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- As Craig Leipold prepared to take over as chairman of the Minnesota Wild, the former Nashville Predators owner promised not to "mess with" one of the NHL's model franchises.

The Wild announced Thursday that Bob Naegele's majority stake in the team will be bought by Leipold, the Wisconsin entrepreneur who finalized his sale of the Predators last month. "I'm not here to fix anything," Leipold said at a news conference to discuss the sale.

Naegele and his group of investors formed Minnesota Sports and Entertainment in 1997 when they were awarded the rights to an expansion franchise that entered the league in 2000. The Wild have announced a sellout for every game they've played at their downtown St. Paul arena.

[Showtime]

The Bruins are making me thirsty!

[Eric Draven]

That contract signed by Ovechkin is just ludicrous. You'd kind of figure he would take a bit less so they can afford to get better players around him ala Crosby in Pittsburgh. Lord knows how well a one-man team will be.....

[Immortalfire]

Mm. Most teams have the three biggies..Heatley, Alfredsson, Spezza for Ottawa. Cheechoo, Thornton, Marleau for San Jose and so on...who else does Washington have besides Ovechkin?

[Dark Donnie]

Mm. Most teams have the three biggies..Heatley, Alfredsson, Spezza for Ottawa. Cheechoo, Thornton, Marleau for San Jose and so on...who else does Washington have besides Ovechkin?

Alexander Semin, but hes been hurt

[Eric Draven]

Mm. Most teams have the three biggies..Heatley, Alfredsson, Spezza for Ottawa. Cheechoo, Thornton, Marleau for San Jose and so on...who else does Washington have besides Ovechkin?

Semin. But really, they aren't going to win with just Ovechkin. And with Ovechkin taking up a large part of their salary cap, they're probably not going to be able to afford a decent enough supporting cast to actually win anything.

[Shifty]

Maybe in year ten he will be underpaid but look at Tampa. They're handcuffed to improve the team because of Vinny, St.Louis, Richards and Boyle.
Ottawa was able to get Heatley, Spezza and Fisher to take a hometown discount but they have a great chance at winning the Stanley Cup.
Eventually Semin and Backstrom are going to develop into great players that will demand $6 million or more. Plus they're going to need a goalie and a couple of top defencemen.

http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=WAS

This year the Caps payroll is $29.5 million.
Next year they're at $33 million with half the team not signed. Kolzig's contract is up so it will be interesting to see if they go after a younger goalie.

June 2021 is when his contract ends! In the long run the Caps are probably getting a good deal money wise, but they probably over paid by 2 million for the first six years. Crosby is actually getting paid $9 million starting next year, and that's a paycut for him.

[Dark Donnie]

Jason Spezza-C-Senators Jan. 11 - 2:31 pm et

Jason Spezza was added to the Eastern Conference All-Star team on Friday.

Joining him a the other reserve forwards are teammate Dany Heatley, the New York Rangers Scott Gomez, the Capitals Alex Ovechkin, Philadelphia's Mike Richards, Eric Staal of the Hurricanes, Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis, as well as Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa representing the Thrashers. Atlanta will host the All-Star event on January 25-27.
Source: TSN.ca

Good to see Richards make it as a reserve

[Shifty]

CuJo sweepstakes down to two teams
Darren Dreger
TSN.ca
1/11/2008 1:56:12 PM

Interest from at least five teams is believed to have been narrowed to two with Curtis Joseph contemplating the resumption of his NHL career in either San Jose or Calgary.

Sources tell TSN both the Flames and Sharks are keenly interested in bringing the 40 year old goaltender on board, with Joseph expected to make his decision this weekend, if not sooner, perhaps as early as today.

It's believed Flames coach Mike Keenan reached out to Joseph this week to acknowledge the checkered past between he and Joseph was just that, the past.

In the mid-90's, Keenan, as general manager of the St Louis Blues orchestrated a number of big-name trades that led to the departure of such Blues fan favorites as Brendan Shanahan and Curtis Joseph.

Joseph was dealt to Edmonton in 1995, a team who coincidentally expressed great interest in Joseph's return to the Oilers prior to the start of this season as well.

Similar to the Flames, the San Jose Sharks are looking for insurance, a veteran presence to take some of the heat off starting goaltender Evgeny Nabokov, the only NHL goalie to start every game this season.

Sources say Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Ottawa also expressed interest in Joseph, with the Senators a highly attractive fit for the veteran. However, sources say the Senators have not been willing to make a play and unless they come in at the last minute, Joseph will be heading west.

Ty Conklin's great play of late has probably stopped any potential of Cujo going there.
Sharks should try their best to sign him.

[Shifty]

What's next in Toronto?
Darren Dreger
TSN.ca
1/11/2008

While Wednesday's loss to the defending Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks was disappointing, Thursday's loss to the 30th place Los Angeles Kings was demoralizing.

Leafs President and CEO Richard Peddie was contacted via email following the 5-2 loss in L.A and asked if senior management is content to proceed with status quo, or if change is expected.

Peddie replied, "no comment at this time."

The expectation around the NHL is that a statement will be made and, with all due respect to a fine young player, claiming Dominic Moore off waivers isn't it. Neither is Justin Pogge's anticipated first NHL start following his call-up from the Toronto Marlies.

The ongoing speculation over Mats Sundin's trade potential should now include the names Tomas Kaberle, Darcy Tucker and Alex Steen.

These are players who could provide significant return.

Failing a trade, then a change in direction is sure to be considered with both general manager John Ferguson and head coach Paul Maurice the obvious targets.

When Scotty Bowman's name first surfaced in connection with the Maple Leafs the belief was he would jump on board in an overseer role, however sources say Bowman's true attraction was not just the opportunity to be a senior manager, but also the chance to return to the bench if team fortunes went south.

Is it conceivable that possibility may be revisited?

At this point, anything is possible.

I say trade the talent away, blow up the team. Get a crap load of prospects and draft picks, maybe even challenge for #1 draft pick. Rebuild from the young talent and smart free agent selections. Look at Chicago and Pittsburgh. They had to rebuild with the draft. Look at the moves the Flyers did through trading. They finished last and now are in the middle of the playoff pack with plenty of young talent.

[Immortalfire]

Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa representing the Thrashers Yay! :yay:

[Alex The Great]

Ovechkin inks massive extension with Caps

Alex Ovechkin has agreed to terms on a monstrous 13-year deal with the Capitals worth a staggering $124 million.

It is the most lucrative contract in NHL history that will pay the Russian superstar $9 million per year for the first six years and $10 million for the next seven years. Ovechkin has been a force for Washington this season with 32 goals and 52 points in 43 games. Who knows, maybe now other NHL players will have Alexander the Great negotiate their deals as well after a return like that. Jan. 10 - 7:14 pm et
Source: TSN.ca
GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!

[Fran]

We got it when you said that the first time... don't need to keep saying that.

[Alex The Great]

We got it when you said that the first time... don't need to keep saying that.
i said it......once.....

[Immortalfire]

GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!

Wtf :huh:

[Alex The Great]

124 Million dollers = :eek:

:o
wouldn't you be surprised on such a deal? no? ok. *heads to nfl thread*

[Fran]

noi?

[Alex The Great]

why do i type so fast :csad:

[Immortalfire]

Dude, chill and take it a tad slower.

[Alex The Great]

yes sir :csad:

[E. Nygma]

What about Iginla?

Well when talking about trying to have hockey grow in America, i'm talking about finding star black hockey players from big city urban areas. As ludicrous as this sounds, Baseball was once very similar to the NHL in regards to diversity. Now i'd argue it's one of the most diverse sports. Although there are many less African Americans than Latin Americans.

[Batman713]

I say trade the talent away, blow up the team. Get a crap load of prospects and draft picks, maybe even challenge for #1 draft pick. Rebuild from the young talent and smart free agent selections. Look at Chicago and Pittsburgh. They had to rebuild with the draft. Look at the moves the Flyers did through trading. They finished last and now are in the middle of the playoff pack with plenty of young talent.

That's the move that'll never happen, although most of us Leafs fans are hoping for it. Too bad the Leafs are run by a dumbass organization that controls a stupid manager who can't manage a team to save his life.

[Shifty]

That's the move that'll never happen, although most of us Leafs fans are hoping for it. Too bad the Leafs are run by a dumbass organization that controls a stupid manager who can't manage a team to save his life.

Blog: Ferguson on borrowed time
Bob McKenzie
TSN.ca
1/11/2008

Amid all the obvious and raging speculation on the future of John Ferguson Jr. with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the truth is it looks as though he has been working on borrowed time for quite some time.

Even before the Leafs plunged back into the abyss – losing 10 of their last 12 and failing to win a game in regulation time since Dec. 14th – the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment board of directors have been engaged in activities that can only be construed as laying the groundwork for life after JFJ.

Back in late November, around the time when the Leafs were skidding out of control – punctuated by a horrific 5-1 loss to the Coyotes in Phoenix on Nov. 24 – sources say the folks at MLSE commissioned a detailed evaluation of not only Ferguson's work as GM, but the work of all 30 GMs in the league.

Ironically, the Leafs went on to win six games in a seven-game stretch shortly after that, but sources say the same executive search firm that the Leafs engaged in the off-season to hire a “mentor” or senior advisor to work with Ferguson was asked to do a league-wide evaluation of each team's top hockey executive.

Sources say MLSE wanted to gauge where Ferguson fit in amongst his peers in terms of performance, on everything from drafting to trading to free agency. But it can also be construed as an exercise in determining which NHL GMs are the most proficient and which, if any, of them could be enticed to come to the Maple Leafs in the same fashion that MLSE wooed Toronto Raptor GM Bryan Colangelo away from the Phoenix Suns.

Also, while the Leafs were in the midst of their surge of six wins in seven games, and while the league-wide study of the GMs was being conducted, sources tell TSN that member(s) of the MLSE board were directly contacting some hockey people to find out if: a) they might be interested in the Leafs' general manager job; and/or b) to get input on who would be a good choice.

Now that the Leafs are on a free fall, the speculation on the future of Ferguson has naturally hit a crescendo. The Globe and Mail reported on its website today that, for all intents and purposes, Ferguson is finished as GM of the Leafs and obliquely suggested he could be relieved of his duties as early as next week, when the MLSE board will convene in what appears to be a response to the plight of the team.

A cynic would suggest Ferguson has been toast since the loss to Phoenix in late November and that the MLSE board is either incapable of putting together a plan to replace him in the short term or is waiting on the executive search firm's league-wide evaluation of the GMs.

In any case, it's a mess.

The team is in a death spiral on the ice. They are led by a lame-duck GM whose focus and philosophy has been on building a team that can compete for a playoff spot and were it to get one, make some noise in the post-season. This effort has been done at the expense of the future, trading away significant chunks of the team's future. Now, as it becomes apparent the playoffs are but a pipe dream, the recognition is settling in that the Leafs have no choice but to start a massive rebuilding program that would include trading any veteran assets that might be moved, from captain Mats Sundin on down.

But if that's to be done, it must be done in the next six weeks, before the Feb . 26th trade deadline, which would mean that unless there is a dismissal, the same GM who supervised the building program that has ultimately failed will be charged with overseeing the re-building program.

Either that, or the Leafs will continue to muddle on with the status quo.

What was obvious in late November is even more obvious now – the MLSE board is paralyzed to act because it doesn't know where to turn, how to turn or whom to turn to.

Logic would suggest that is likely to change soon enough, but that is not to be confused with having a well thought out succession plan.


Pat Quinn didn't help either during his GM run. Trading draft picks to pick up talent at the trade deadline. As an Ottawa fan its great to see the Leafs fall apart.

Red Wings vs Senators tonight!

[E. Nygma]

Flyers lose in OT to the Bruins 4-3.

They fought back down 3-1 mid way through the 3rd to tie it and had Boston on the ropes. But in OT Nittymaki came out of the net to get the puck away and really didn't get back into position in time before the Bruins won.

[Fran]

Red Wings play sloppy. Again.

Still the NHL's best at least.

[Immortalfire]

Thrashers win over Pittsburgh, 3-2 in a shootout. Kovalchuk gets #37, and Lehtonen stops Crosby and Malkin in said shootout. :up:

[Ironfan72]

Jackets win 2 in row over Divison rivals Blues 6-4 and Predators 2-1 s/o. Huge wins if we are going to make a playoff run.

[Shifty]

Red Wings play sloppy. Again.

Still the NHL's best at least.

:yay: The NHL really needs every team playing each other twice a season.

Sens are now without Heatley for 4-6 weeks. Shoulder injury. So someone else will get to replace him at the All-Star Game.

[E. Nygma]

With Heatley out a month, it might be time for the rest of the east to catch up and help even out the conference.

I'd look out for the Devils.

[Shifty]

With Heatley out a month, it might be time for the rest of the east to catch up and help even out the conference.

I'd look out for the Devils.

The club has lost Spezza for stretches in the past and done very well. We'll see.
Glad I picked up Mike Fisher.

U.S. hockey viewership shows signs of life
by WILLIAM HOUSTON

After two lean, postlockout years, the NHL is beginning to make gains in U.S. television.

Hockey audiences won't challenge the numbers produced by football, baseball and basketball any time soon, but the bleeding caused by the cancelled 2004-05 season has stopped.

At the midway point of this season, national audiences on Versus are up 32 per cent from this time last year.

Versus is drawing numbers comparable with ESPN2's viewership in 2003-04, which was the last year of its deal with the NHL.

Regionally, the audiences on Fox Sports Net have increased 25 per cent. FSN, which airs regional telecasts in 14 markets, has seen huge increases for the Minnesota Wild (114 per cent), St. Louis Blues (103 per cent) and Detroit Red Wings (50 per cent).

On the downside, audiences for the Atlanta Thrashers have dropped 50 per cent. The Phoenix Coyotes numbers are down 35 per cent. Viewership for the Tampa Bay Lightning has declined 31 per cent and the Dallas Stars are in the hole by 29 per cent.

All of these results reflect team performances, the one exception being the Stars, which are second in the Western Conference but, nevertheless, losing viewers.

In the season of 2003-04, before the lockout, FSN earned an average rating of 1.1 (percentage of the potential audience watching) for its hockey telecasts. After the lockout, in 2005-06, the rating dropped to 0.96. Then it climbed to 1.0 in 2006-07. If the audience trend continues, FSN will be back to a 1.1 by the end of this season.

The NHL telecasts on Versus are drawing an average audience of 261,406, which is well above the 209,000 who watched the telecasts on ESPN2 in 2003-04.

However, when ESPN2 was airing games, the telecasts were blacked out in the local markets. Versus has the advantage of going into the local markets.

A TV source said the improved NHL numbers should be viewed cautiously.

"The hockey audiences are teeny to begin with," he said. "But, any time you increase an audience by a third or 25 per cent, you've got to be happy with it."

Why are the numbers up? The absence of prime-time content, as a result of the Hollywood writers' strike, is driving audiences to sports programming. Versus showcases Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby at every opportunity.

John Shannon, the NHL's head of broadcasting, feels the league's competitiveness has helped improve viewership.

Shannon also believes the buzz created by the outdoor Winter Classic in Buffalo on Jan. 1 has helped spark U.S. interest.

NBC's overnight rating of 2.6 for the outdoor game telecast has been downgraded to a national rating of 2.2 (or 3.8 million viewers), but it still ranks as the largest NHL rating in the United States since Fox's 2.2 for Wayne Gretzky's final game on April 18, 1999.

Going head to head against NBC's outdoor game telecast, the Gator Bowl on CBS earned a 2.6 rating and the Capital One Bowl on ABC a 9.1.

Two dummies

Golf Channel commentator Kelly Tilghman uttered the first completely idiotic remark of the 2008 sports broadcasting year when she suggested young players on the PGA Tour should "lynch" Tiger Woods "in a back alley" to gain a competitive advantage. Tilghman was suspended for two weeks. The channel apologized "to anyone who was offended." Anyone? How about everyone.

On the same list, Tilghman is followed by former Philadelphia Flyers general manager Bobby Clarke, who gave his approval to Steve Downie of the Flyers for sucker-punching Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake, who had condemned Downie's attack on Dean McAmmond of the Ottawa Senators. "When he went after Blake, I loved it," said Clarke, appearing on TSN.

Writers help sports

The Hollywood writers' strike, now in its third month, is increasing the size of sports audiences in Canada. On Wednesday, TSN drew 310,000 viewers for an all-U.S. NHL matchup involving two non-playoff teams, the Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche. A year ago, the same game would have pulled in about 210,000 viewers.

* TSN hockey anchor James Duthie's suggestion to organize a shootout competition for the NHL all-star weekend has been picked up by the league.
* Peter Mansbridge, anchor of The National on CBC, spoke at a reception in Winnipeg this week honouring network sports broadcaster Don Wittman, who is fighting cancer. Mansbridge and Wittman worked together years ago.
* The CBC will give tomorrow night's Red Wings-Senators game full national distribution, except in Quebec, which will get the Montreal Canadiens-New York Rangers game.
* TSN's Mike Milbury took a run at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment chief executive officer Richard Peddie this week. He said Peddie, who accompanied the Leafs on the current trip to the U.S. West Coast, should limit his club involvement to selling tickets and popcorn.

Wittman is one of my favourites. Always enjoyed him doing analysis on Jets radio games and HNIC games with John Davidson. No one should be surprised about Clarke's comments.

Don't know why Stars and Coyotes telecasts would be down, they're doing much better this season. Hopefully the growth continues and doesn't stall.

[E. Nygma]

Did anyone really expect someone as physical as Bobby Clarke not to enjoy rough play from Steve Downie, as cheap and dirty as it was?

If the NHL had games that weren't on versus, a channel many people dont even know existed, they'd be drawing ratings a hell of a lot better than the disappointing ones that they are.

[Shifty]

Did anyone really expect someone as physical as Bobby Clarke not to enjoy rough play from Steve Downie, as cheap and dirty as it was?


I think what bothered people was him saying that Downie's first suspension was way too long.

[Dark Donnie]

The club has lost Spezza for stretches in the past and done very well. We'll see.
Glad I picked up Mike Fisher.


I didn't have the roster room at the time:csad: He's a good player though.

[Shifty]

I didn't have the roster room at the time:csad: He's a good player though.

You and Themanofbat both dropped him within days, wondering why he was available.

[Alex The Great]

so....what in the blue hell is up with the leafs? sure i despise them but wut the hell?

[Dark Donnie]

You and Themanofbat both dropped him within days, wondering why he was available.

I didn't have a available RW for the week, and a ton of C's...kinda wish I dropped Brind Amour instead looking back but oh well. I only started to really look into my lineup everyday in about the last month. My team is starting to pick it up.

I also had Semin for the longest when he returned and did nothing now he has like 6 goals in 10 games:csad:

[E. Nygma]

I think what bothered people was him saying that Downie's first suspension was way too long.

Yeah well with some of the stuff the 70's and 80's Flyers teams and players got away with i wouldn't expect Clarke to want players suspended for anything.

[Fran]

Those viewer figures make me wish even more that the NHL would return to ESPN :csad:

[E. Nygma]

Those viewer figures make me wish even more that the NHL would return to ESPN :csad:

me too

but hey, the Flyers won again today over the Caps. Mike Knuble with a solid two goal game. He had two goals in the first and has never had a hat trick. Amazing. I thought he might get it today.

[NewYorkSpider]

Heatly out for 4-6 weeks. Huge blow to Ottawa.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3194542

[Shifty]

Leafs ask Fletcher about interim GM job
Bob McKenzie

1/14/2008 7:29:31 PM

The beleaguered Toronto Maple Leafs are taking steps to try to replace general manager John Ferguson Jr.

Sources tell TSN that the Leafs have contacted a number of hockey management types to gauge their interest in the job, which is currently held by Ferguson, and, in fact, have asked former Leaf GM Cliff Fletcher if he is interested in taking over as interim GM of the NHL club.

Cliff Fletcher could not be reached for comment. Fletcher remains under contract to the Phoenix Coyotes even though he is no longer working for the organization.

When asked to comment on TSN's report that Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) has contacted Cliff Fletcher to see if he has interest in the role of interim gm, MLSE president and CEO Richard Peddie responded, "As I have said to everyone I am not talking about management changes. If and when they happen I will talk to the media then."
Related Info

Sources tell TSN the Leafs' plan is to launch a full-scale job search this summer for a fulltime GM but in the meantime are exploring their options to replace Ferguson with an interim GM who would oversee Leaf operations for the balance of the season and beyond, until a new fulltime GM can be hired.

It never ends. JFJ Jr. should just quit.

[Fran]

Cujo gets signed by Calgary.

I never blamed him for the Wings choking. He was very good with us.

[Watson]

That's the move that'll never happen, although most of us Leafs fans are hoping for it. Too bad the Leafs are run by a dumbass organization that controls a stupid manager who can't manage a team to save his life.

Preach it brother!

It never ends. JFJ Jr. should just quit.

He would save some face if he resigned. IMO though he's always just been more of a yes man. He will only leave when told so.

[Themanofbat]

You and Themanofbat both dropped him within days, wondering why he was available.

I was looking for a line-up shake up, and he was on my chopping block.

I've got some really good players as well as good goalies, but I can't figure out why I'm currently in 7th place... :o

Better than being in last place like I was a month ago. :yay:

[E. Nygma]

Cujo gets signed by Calgary.

I never blamed him for the Wings choking. He was very good with us.

Cujo at least adds a little depth to goal tending.

[Shifty]

Boston's Marc Savard was selected to the All-Star Game to replace Heatley.
How does he get picked over Jeff Carter or Malkin?

[Shifty]

I was looking for a line-up shake up, and he was on my chopping block.

I've got some really good players as well as good goalies, but I can't figure out why I'm currently in 7th place... :o

Better than being in last place like I was a month ago. :yay:

Because you sucked for the first half?

Ty Conklin, who would have ever thought would be saving your team.

4 teams fighting for the last fantasy playoff spot, should be good.

[Dark Donnie]

Because you sucked for the first half?

Ty Conklin, who would have ever thought would be saving your team.

4 teams fighting for the last fantasy playoff spot, should be good.

6 teams in?

[Dark Donnie]

Peter Forsberg-C-Predators Jan. 15 - 2:35 pm et

Peter Forsberg may lace up the skates for Sweden at the LG tournament in February.

Forsberg intends to begin skating next week and will see how his surgically repaired foot holds up. If it goes well, playing competitive hockey in this tournament could be a stepping stone to returning to the NHL. With his injury history, however, it is a long-shot he'll return to NHL.
Source: TSN.ca

:boba:

[Shifty]

6 teams in?

Yes. Six teams advance, top two get a bye, consolation bracket for non-playoff teams. You can look at the playoffs tab on the main page for the league.

[Dark Donnie]

Jason Blake-W-Maple Leafs Jan. 15 - 12:37 pm et

Jason Blake's name has now been thrown into the mix of numerous trade rumors swirling around the Leafs at the moment.

It seems that every single Maple Leaf has now been part of the media frenzy that is circling the team like vultures at the moment. However, with only eight goals this season, Blake will not be moving anywhere. It is also hard to imagine Blake, or any other player, breaking out of their slump in the midst of this intense pressure.
Source: Toronto Star

Yes. Six teams advance, top two get a bye, consolation bracket for non-playoff teams. You can look at the playoffs tab on the main page for the league.

Im currently 8....but climbing:liz:

[Jerry!]

So I was at the United Center a few days ago for a open skating promotion and got to meet Troy Murray (ex-Hawk, now broadcaster). It was the greatest birthday gift I ever received or will ever receive. I felt like a young Jeremy Roenick skating up the ice. Later that night, in the darkness of the my room with my Bobby Hull jersey hanging on my way, I drifted gradually off to sleep, hitting the ice as a Blackhawk and pulling off spectacular slap shot goals from the red line.

[E. Nygma]

So I was at the United Center a few days ago for a open skating promotion and got to meet Troy Murray (ex-Hawk, now broadcaster). It was the greatest birthday gift I ever received or will ever receive. I felt like a young Jeremy Roenick skating up the ice. Later that night, in the darkness of the my room with my Bobby Hull jersey hanging on my way, I drifted gradually off to sleep, hitting the ice as a Blackhawk and pulling off spectacular slap shot goals from the red line.

Funny you mention this, being able to skate on the ice where so many great players have skated. I realize the United Center is hardly old Chicago Arena, but it still must have felt incredible.

Leading me to my next point:
Comcast intends to have the historical Spectrum blown up and replaced with a hotel entertainment complex!

This is just terrible! Like i said, history, all the great players who've skated there, lost :(

[Dark Donnie]

Funny you mention this, being able to skate on the ice where so many great players have skated. I realize the United Center is hardly old Chicago Arena, but it still must have felt incredible.

Leading me to my next point:
Comcast intends to have the historical Spectrum blown up and replaced with a hotel entertainment complex!

This is just terrible! Like i said, history, all the great players who've skated there, lost :(

It does suck, but I heard there building a structure similar to The Power Plant in Baltimore, which was awesome when I meant there last year.

[Shifty]

Funny you mention this, being able to skate on the ice where so many great players have skated. I realize the United Center is hardly old Chicago Arena, but it still must have felt incredible.

Leading me to my next point:
Comcast intends to have the historical Spectrum blown up and replaced with a hotel entertainment complex!

This is just terrible! Like i said, history, all the great players who've skated there, lost :(

Maple Leaf Gardens is still standing but has been looted and left to rot until they start construction on a parking lot and Superstore (Canada's version of Target).

Montreal Forum is an entertainment centre but has integrated the history of the Canadiens into it.

Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium is scheduled for demolition.

And eventually something will happen to Edmonton's Rexall Place, it probably has the most NHL history out of the existing arenas.
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum will be redeveloped, a new MSG will eventually be built, Detroit won't remain in Joe Louis forever and Pittsburgh will have a new building soon.

[E. Nygma]

It does suck, but I heard there building a structure similar to The Power Plant in Baltimore, which was awesome when I meant there last year.

Yeah whatever they are building is modeled after some kind of building in Baltimore. It's going to be built on stilts so that parking spaces are not lost, and will probably pump a hell of a lot more money into the sports plex and city economy so it's probably a good idea.

But then again you leave people priced out of Hockey. I mean i know a lot of people that attend Phantoms games because the tickets are like 10-15 bucks rather than the 80 for Flyers games. The Phantoms are going to end up playing god knows where, and thus people who cant afford to see big league hockey live are pretty much screwed. And the Phantoms are a fairly successful and popular team here, for AHL and all.

[Fran]

Jesus, what the hell is wrong with Detroit.

I'm sickened.

[NewYorkSpider]

Pittsburgh scares me right now. They are playing great hocky right now.

[Immortalfire]

Thrashers beat Red Wings!!!!!!!! :woot:

[Fran]

:down

[Shifty]

But then again you leave people priced out of Hockey. I mean i know a lot of people that attend Phantoms games because the tickets are like 10-15 bucks rather than the 80 for Flyers games. The Phantoms are going to end up playing god knows where, and thus people who cant afford to see big league hockey live are pretty much screwed. And the Phantoms are a fairly successful and popular team here, for AHL and all.

Comcast must have a plan in place. 41 extra dates plus exhibition/playoff games for Wachovia plus Soul and KiXX home games means the place will be having about 60 extra days in the year. They can have an afternoon Phantoms game then have a evening Flyers or 76ers or Wings game.

They probably would only raise the prices a little bit, stay in line with other AHL franchises.

[Ironfan72]

Jackets beat Canucks, win there third in a row, very nice win.

[Shifty]

Thrashers beat Red Wings!!!!!!!! :woot:

Blog: Hossa could be in play at deadline
Bob McKenzie
1/16/2008

Marian Hossa is going to market.

That is the message the Atlanta Thrasher forward has delivered in no uncertain terms to general manager Don Waddell.

Sources say that Hossa, his agent Ritch Winter and Waddell met earlier this week in Atlanta over dinner and then went to an Atlanta Hawks' basketball game and that over the course of the evening Hossa told Waddell that he's not prepared to sign a long-term extension with the Thrashers at this point and will go to unrestricted free agency on July 1.

Sources say Hossa is telling friends that he expects to be traded before the NHL trade deadline on Feb. 26.

If the Thrashers trade Hossa, he could conceivably be the highest-impact rental player made available. Hossa scored a hat trick to lead the Thrashers to victory over the Detroit Red Wings last night.

But the Thrashers are in a tough spot. They currently hold down first place in the Southeast Division and would dearly love to secure a playoff spot, an effort that would be greatly aided by Hossa's offensive production in their lineup. But the Thrashers also know that to allow Hossa to stroll into unrestricted free agency without getting something in return is counter-productive to the long-term interests of the franchise.

Sources say Waddell is not ready to make an absolute commitment to trading Hossa at this point, but there's no question the talented Slovak winger is going to be in play between now and the deadline. What will likely dictate whether Hossa is traded is the return on the trade. If Waddell can get a significant package in return, Hossa is likely to be dealt to a contending team.

The latest negotiations between Waddell and Hossa's new agent, Winter, never even got to the stages of discussing dollars or term. Hossa's primary concern is the status of the Thrashers as a legitimate Cup contender. Quite simply, he's not prepared to commit there long term and wants to see where the club is come July 1.

The Thrashers had previously offered Hossa a five-year, $35 million contract when Hossa was represented by another agent.

The bottom line is that Hossa is almost certainly going to be an unrestricted free agent this summer and that will significantly increase the likelihood of him being traded before the deadline.

Hossa will probably dealt on trade deadline day so he can help the Thrashers as long as possible before he is shipped off. After getting ripped off for the Keith Tkachuk trade they need to reload on younger talent/draft picks.
Now which team will make the deal?

[Fran]

Red Wings need to fix something, make a trade, I don't know.

[Dark Donnie]

Red Wings need to fix something, make a trade, I don't know.

Your only the best team in the league:cmad: Let The Flyers borrow some of them points.

[Fran]

Well it's still upsetting to lose 3 in a row.

We're like the Yankees of hockey :o

[Eric Draven]

Up to losing very early in the playoffs the past few years :o


:p

[Fran]

Except last year ;)

[Eric Draven]

They couldn't beat the Ducks though. The one team I didn't want to see in the Stanley Cup finals and the Wings couldn't win against them :cmad:

[Fran]

Well the Ducks are thugs, that's why.

[E. Nygma]

Well it's still upsetting to lose 3 in a row.

We're like the Yankees of hockey :o

Except the Wings have actually won something since 2000

[Jerry!]

The triple deke and Flying V were too much for the Red Wings. Just once I'd like to see the Ducks actually do the flying V. I know it would never work, but just as a homage. Like when they are up 4 or 5 goals or something. They owe their existence to that movie, may as well do it just once.

[Shifty]

The Marian Hossa Blog: Take 2
1/16/2008

I guess Ritch Winter is mad. At me.

Or so I am told. Gino Reda told me that because Ritch Winter called him to say how mad he is at me.

I would have figured if Winter was mad at me, he would have called me to tell me how mad he is. But he's apparently "too mad" to do that.

Winter is upset with the blog I wrote Wednesday morning. Says there is no foundation for it. At least that's what he told Gino.

And now that I look back on what was written, I do see two problems with it.

One, in the blog this morning I stated that Marian Hossa, Winter's client, had unequivocally told the Thrashers he is prepared to go to unrestricted free agency on July 1 and that, as a result of that, the Thrashers will have to seriously consider trading Hossa before the Feb. 26 deadline. Upon solemn reflection, I clearly erred in saying Hossa has told the Thrashers he will "in no uncertain terms" go to free agency. There is some wiggle room there. My bad.

What I should have said was that Hossa, in a meeting this week, indicated he is prepared or even inclined to go to free agency because he's not sure of the direction the Thrasher franchise is headed, to the point where, sources say, Thrasher GM Don Waddell suggested to Hossa that may leave him with no choice but to trade him before the deadline.

Sources say Hossa has been telling people he expects to be traded before the deadline and that the Thrashers will have to do whatever they have to do.

Winter wants it known that he is continuing discussions with the Thrashers on both short- and long-term deals and the door is not closed.

Fine.

The other error I made is that I described the meeting between Hossa, Winter and Waddell as a dinner meeting when, in fact, it was a lunch meeting.

Sorry about that.

Winter is also upset it was reported in the blog that when Hossa had another agent prior to him, the Thrashers offered Hossa a five-year, $35 million deal. Winter maintains that type of offer was never made.

Well, Winter is going to have to take that one up with the Thrashers because they have maintained they made verbal proposals of multi-year deals worth an average of $7 million to Hossa's previous agent, Jiri Crha.

When I make a mistake, as I did in this case on the characterization of Hossa's feelings, I do what I have to do to set the record straight.

Consider it done.

TSN.ca Editor's Note - Mr. Ritch Winter sent in a Your Call to TSN.ca on Wednesday night with the following response:

One can only wonder what Bob's sources were on this one.

Since none of the people in the meeting, including myself (Ritch Winter) heard any of the words Bob wrote. None of us.

I spoke with Don Waddell and Bob called neither he nor I to confirm anything. He knows our numbers. We had productive meetings in Atlanta over the weekend. We discussed the short term issues and long term possibilities.

No final decision was made on anything. I spoke to Don and he at no time offered Marian a $35 million deal as Bob indicated. I just wish that reporters would use something other than the "unnamed sources".

Printing things that are inaccurate is disappointing when the truth is just a phone call away. Disappointing because the suggesting Marian turned down such a sizable contract makes him look bad.

One response picked that up already. He doesn't deserve that because anyone who know what an incredible class act he is would understand why such unfounded claims upset me. I just wish we would get back to the kind of integrity the great reporters had.

Naming real sources. Talking to those involved. It's sad that we all end up reacting to things that are just not true because some are not prone to doing their jobs. Bob was wrong. He was wrong that Marian indicated he would not sign long term, he was wrong on the details of the meeting, he was wrong on the offer made to Marian, he was wrong on the entire story.

It's just a shame, he could not admit it. He called no one. Posted an inaccurate story all of which led to Don Waddell and I having to spend our afternoon dealing with Bob, instead of dealing with business between us. Beware of the unnamed source and stay tuned. None of what Bob indicated is done - is done. We will see.

The owners in Atlanta are really terrific people. We are looking forward to seeing if we can work out something out with them that works all around. Time will tell.

But the time is not now.

Sorry Bob.
Posted: 7:47 PM by Bob McKenzie - Comments?


Hmm... this is the first time anyone has called out anyone at TSN about what they're reporting and they're unnamed sources. Dreger is always going on about his "sources" in MLSE and is just ignored.

[Poeman]

hossa for jagr

what say u all?

[NewYorkSpider]

I think if that trade was going to happen the Thrashers would have to throw in a draft pick or another player. Hossa is a free agent after this season.

[Poeman]

I think if that trade was going to happen the Thrashers would have to throw in a draft pick or another player. Hossa is a free agent after this season.

so is jagr, team option...we didnt give it to him yet

[Themanofbat]

Nice win for Calgary last night, but it should have been in regulation time... that quick whistle wrecked a 2-1 lead...

:cmad: :cmad: :cmad:

:yay:

[E. Nygma]

The triple deke and Flying V were too much for the Red Wings. Just once I'd like to see the Ducks actually do the flying V. I know it would never work, but just as a homage. Like when they are up 4 or 5 goals or something. They owe their existence to that movie, may as well do it just once.

i personally would like to see Greg Goldberg in net rather than JS Gigure!

But thats just because he was a Flyers fan, who won again by the way! WOO!

[Eric Draven]

After hearing Chris Pronger's comments about Edmonton on the Jim Rome Show yesterday, I really hope that POS gets what's coming to him....

[NewYorkSpider]

so is jagr, team option...we didnt give it to him yet


I had thought Jagr had signed on for next year. Must be I read wrong. That would change the deal.

I don't think the Thrashers will want to trade Hossa and mix things up since they're leading the divison(leading it poorly) and I doubt they will want to trade Hossa. Hossa is second in goals scored with the Thrashers. If a deal was to be made, then the Rangers would have to give up a little more.

Colorado has been intrested in Jagr. They have been plagued with injuries. Not sure who they could give up. Maybe Milan Hejduk?

[Poeman]

goal of the year right here

rick nash, to win the game with 20 seconds to go
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s98/rageandcage/nash2_NEW.gif

[Shifty]

goal of the year right here

rick nash, to win the game with 20 seconds to go
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s98/rageandcage/nash2_NEW.gif

Ovechkin, Crosby and now Nash have all scored amazing goals against the Coyotes.

[Jerry!]

Wow that's some ****ing horrible defense.

[Shifty]

OV
vzbmI6-YSnQ

Crosby
CSTutJd7kMA

and now Nash
YIIG9JleUFE

[Ironfan72]

Sweet Goal by my man Nasher, Jackets have now won 4 in a row.

[E. Nygma]

holy cow! what a goal!

[Immortalfire]

That's an ESPN highlight for the ages :eek:

[E. Nygma]

absolutely, thats one of the greatest pure skill goals i've ever seen.

[Steve Rogers]

That goal was amazing!! God, I love hockey.

[Dark Donnie]

Nash
Ovechin
Sid

In that order

[Immortalfire]

Gee whiz, lots of injuries and such going on. Heatley's out, Alfredsson hurt his hip, Crosby hurt his ankle in tonght's game, and the Hurricanes are dropping like flies with the flu.

[Dark Donnie]

Real nailbiter in Atlanta.....10-1 Buffalo wins

[E. Nygma]

Real nailbiter in Atlanta.....10-1 Buffalo wins

how was that Sabre power play looking tonight, pretty good i gather? :yay: