Official 2007-08 NHL Thread

[Dark Donnie]

Yeah only 4 goals :)

[E. Nygma]

i wonder if they do a powerplay payoff thing like the Flyers do. 25 dollar increase every time the team doesn't score on the power play until they finally do and the winner gets all the built up money.

The Sabres were on like a 1-30 streak, if they had something like that someone just made a pretty penny!

[Dark Donnie]

I would guess so, its probably common around the league.....I remember going to games and hearing...."it's time for the PECO POWERPLAY" good times

P.S. Why didn't I pick up Bertuzzi in the fantasy league :mad:

[E. Nygma]

I would guess so, its probably common around the league.....I remember going to games and hearing...."it's time for the PECO POWERPLAY" good times

P.S. Why didn't I pick up Bertuzzi in the fantasy league :mad:

THE FLYERS ARE GOING ON THE PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECOOOOOOO POOOOOOWER PLAAAAAAAAAAY.

and then there were several years when they were so bad with the man advantage that that pot would get pretty big itself.

[Dark Donnie]

THE FLYERS ARE GOING ON THE PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECOOOOOOO POOOOOOWER PLAAAAAAAAAAY.

and then there were several years when they were so bad with the man advantage that that pot would get pretty big itself.

haha...I think on TV its McDonalds right?

I hear Sundin might get dealt.....maybe The Stars Red Wings, and Canucks

Heard Hossa might get moved to The Red Wings, Penguins, or Senators

[E. Nygma]

haha...I think on TV its McDonalds right?

I hear Sundin might get dealt.....maybe The Stars Red Wings, and Canucks

Heard Hossa might get moved to The Red Wings, Penguins, or Senators

Yeah the McDonalds Power Play Payoff

[Themanofbat]

Lots of trade talks flying around... looks like Tanguay will be outta Calgary very soon...

:csad:

[Dark Donnie]

I also heard Dion Phaneuf

[Dcknight]

Go Habs Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Themanofbat]

I also heard Dion Phaneuf

I can't see Sutter letting him go... he's the heart and soul of that defense...

:wow: :wow: :wow:

:csad:

[Themanofbat]

The TSN commentators were talking about Calgary trades last night during the Kings' game, and basically, the three players that Keenan is having a problem with is Tanguay, Yelle & Warrener... so they are likely to be sent off somewhere.

Though I keep hearing that they want to get Sundin, which I think Toronto would ask too much to get rid of him...

[NewYorkSpider]

Flyers score 2 third period goals to come back against the Islanders. Scott Hartnell scored three goals for a hat trick. http://www.superherohype.com/forums/images/smilies/icon14.gif

[Fran]

Are they still thugs?

[NewYorkSpider]

If you want them to be. Just use your imagination.

[Fran]

Well I remember the NHL actually warning them for all the fights they were in.

Not trying to be a douche, I was inquiring about it.

[NewYorkSpider]

Sorry about that. I thought you were taking a cheap shot at them.

Derian Hatcher got 5 minutes for fighting tonight with Trent Hunter(also got 5 minutes). I can see why fighting might motivate your team, but sometimes it just gets ridiculous.

[Johnny Blaze]

OMFG!! The Bolts won two in row! Both shutouts against good teams on the road too!! :wow:

I think the world may soon end. :o

[Shifty]

The TSN commentators were talking about Calgary trades last night during the Kings' game, and basically, the three players that Keenan is having a problem with is Tanguay, Yelle & Warrener... so they are likely to be sent off somewhere.

Though I keep hearing that they want to get Sundin, which I think Toronto would ask too much to get rid of him...

I heard they would like Olli Jokinen from the Panters, Keenan's last hangout. But I doubt they'll get him out.

They want to make a trade so they can free up some cap space to sign Dion.

Best NHL trade rumours/news website.

Spector's (http://www.spectorshockey.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=3&Itemid=9)

[E. Nygma]

OMFG!! The Bolts won two in row! Both shutouts against good teams on the road too!! :wow:

I think the world may soon end. :o

doubt it, but the NHL almost ended in 2004 when nobody cared about the Lightning winning the cup ;)

[Johnny Blaze]

doubt it, but the NHL almost ended in 2004 when nobody cared about the Lightning winning the cup ;)

That's not fair, because nobody really cares about hockey to begin with. :o :csad:

[E. Nygma]

That's not fair, because nobody really cares about hockey to begin with. :o :csad:

not in Tampa, or Carolina or Anaheim where they have like 20,000 people at the parades.

[NewYorkSpider]

not in Tampa, or Carolina or Anaheim where they have like 20,000 people at the parades.

They said that Carolina is the new hocky town. Not Detroit.

[E. Nygma]

They said that Carolina is the new hocky town. Not Detroit.

maybe when they have a cup parade outside of a parking lot.....

[Johnny Blaze]

not in Tampa, or Carolina or Anaheim where they have like 20,000 people at the parades.

This is true, though Tampa Bay has been in the tops in attendence since winning the Cup. And for a football town in a football-centric state, that's good enough for me. :up:

Though I was meaning more in general. Nobody really cares about hockey, least in the states.

[Immortalfire]

They said that Carolina is the new hocky town. Not Detroit.

St. Paul is the new Hockeytown, according to SI.

[E. Nygma]

St. Paul is the new Hockeytown, according to SI.

Now that i agree with.....

That building has been packed ever since Minnesota got hockey again, and the North Stars should have never left anyway. Another case of the idiot NHL expanding in to non-Hockey markets because they can get an arena built in a richer city.

[Shifty]

Now that i agree with.....

That building has been packed ever since Minnesota got hockey again, and the North Stars should have never left anyway. Another case of the idiot NHL expanding in to non-Hockey markets because they can get an arena built in a richer city.

The North Stars weren't selling out and the owners sold the team to the Dallas owners (which has been a big success) and the former North Star owners took their money and bought an expansion franchise for San Jose. Then Minneapolis/St.Paul were awarded an expansion franchise. So the North Stars moving is probably the best (thought you don't want to see a team move) move to happen to the NHL.

[Dark Donnie]

When was the last time Detroit was voted Hockeytown? I know Philly was a few years back

[Dark Donnie]

Flyers are makin a push for Sundin.....offering up Jeff Carter and a first rounder

[Jerry!]

Does Detroit still have "Hockeytown" printed on it's rink?

[Dark Donnie]

Does Detroit still have "Hockeytown" printed on it's rink?

Who knows, I do know that Sportingnews voted Philly the new Hockeytown a few years back so....

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=rm-saintpaul110107&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[Immortalfire]

Does Detroit still have "Hockeytown" printed on it's rink?

They do indeed.

[Dark Donnie]

Active trading expected for Red Wings
Monday, Jan 21, 2008 10:03 am EST
The Detroit Red Wings will be active [trading], to what degree remains to be seen. They could use a second-line forward, be it a center or a goal-scoring winger. The Red Wings could also use a top-four defenseman. If nothing else, they absolutely need depth at the blue line.

The Red Wings are not likely to part with a significant player off their roster but will be willing to deal high draft picks and/or prospects. The price for Marian Hossa is likely to be too steep for Detroit, which might not have the future cap space to sign him long-term anyway. Rob Blake might be the best fit and most realistic acquisition for the Red Wings.

Source: Mlive.com

Related: Marian Hossa, Rob Blake, Detroit Red Wings

Will Flyers send Carter to Toronto for Sundin?
Monday, Jan 21, 2008 10:00 am EST

Getty Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could be a seller and rumors are heating up that they could be looking to move Mats Sundin. A rumor reported in the Ottawa Sun recently suggested Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren would move Jeff Carter and a first-round pick for Sundin.

That has a zero percent chance of happening. Sundin will 37 next month, makes $5.5 million and is an unrestricted free agent next season. Carter is a young player the Flyers are not willing to give up on — especially just for a playoff run — and he is having a decent season with 17 goals and 12 assists.

Source: Philadelphia Daily News

Related: Mats Sundin, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs

Flyers want Forsberg
Monday, Jan 21, 2008 9:41 am EST
Even with all the questions about his health and desire to play, the Philadelphia Flyers want Peter Forsberg back according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

The quiet word among Flyers management is that this is something they would do without hesitation if they get the chance. Having said that, to date the Flyers have had no contact with either Forsberg or his agent since the Swedish star met with general manager Paul Holmgren for coffee last fall.

The Flyers are waiting to see what happens when Forsberg starts skating again, supposedly this week, and if he accepts an invitation to play for the Swedish national team during a 4-day tournament beginning Feb. 7 and how that goes. It is expected that if Forsberg feels he can return, the Flyers will be among the teams he will contact.

Source: Getty Images

Related: Philadelphia Flyers

12 Comments Permanent Link Email this Rumor

....

[NewYorkSpider]

St. Paul is the new Hockeytown, according to SI.

I remember seeing that wherever the Carolina Hurricanes play(Charlotte?) were being named the new hockeytown. Maybe it was just a poll that I saw.

[Immortalfire]

I remember seeing that wherever the Carolina Hurricanes play(Charlotte?) were being named the new hockeytown. Maybe it was just a poll that I saw.

Raleigh.

[Fran]

They do indeed.

We still do because we trademarked it :o

[E. Nygma]

I really have no interest in Mats Sundin. His best days i'd say are behind him, and while Jeff Carter is hardly the values commodity he once was, his youth brings room for him to develop, while Sundin is more of a guy that the older Flyers teams may have brought in to try and put them over the top.

[Dark Donnie]

Im not 100% either I woudl give up a 1st and Carter

[Shifty]

Predators’ average attendance stands at 12,618

After 22 home games, the Predators’ paid attendance average stands at 12,618, according to figures compiled by the team and obtained from Metro Sports Authority.

The Predators’ two most recent home games – against Chicago and Calgary — produced paid attendances of 11,677 and 9,025, respectively.

As matters stand now, the Predators must average 14,000 in paid attendance this season to keep the lease between the team and the city intact. That would keep the team in Nashville for at least the next three seasons.

A new lease has been agreed to by the new local ownership and mayor Karl Dean, but still must be approved by the sports authority and Metro Council.

The Predators must average at least 13,125 in paid attendance this season to qualify for the NHL’s revenue-sharing plan.

link: http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/SPORTS02/80117053/1028

So with only 19 home games left, the Predators pray for the following to happen:

1) Increase paid attendance by 500 per game to get revenue sharing. (How much did they lose last year WITH revenue sharing?)

2) Increase paid attendance by 1400 per game to keep the lease in tact.

3) City council required to still approve the new lease.

All this, while sitting in 12th place, and 5 points out of a playoff spot.

Badger, you may be lining up for KC season tickets soon.
Unless Winnipeggers swoop in and use a million Gretzky rookie cards and bring the team to Canada.

[E. Nygma]

So with only 19 home games left, the Predators pray for the following to happen:

1) Increase paid attendance by 500 per game to get revenue sharing. (How much did they lose last year WITH revenue sharing?)

2) Increase paid attendance by 1400 per game to keep the lease in tact.

3) City council required to still approve the new lease.

All this, while sitting in 12th place, and 5 points out of a playoff spot.

Badger, you may be lining up for KC season tickets soon.
Unless Winnipeggers swoop in and use a million Gretzky rookie cards and bring the team to Canada.

two words:

Peter Forsberg

[Shifty]

two words:

Peter Forsberg

I don't think Forsberg would sign the Predators. They have to fight off 6 other teams just so they can clinch 8th. If he's coming back he's going with a contender. Flyers, Avs, Senators, Red Wings would be the teams I would look at if I was him.

Well its finally happened. JFJ Jr. is out, Fletcher is back in

Ferguson fired, Fletcher named interim GM
TSN.ca Staff
1/22/2008 12:49:47 PM

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired general manager John Ferguson Jr. The team informed Ferguson of his fate earlier early Tuesday morning. Cliff Fletcher has been made the club's interim general manager.

When contacted by TSN, Ferguson said he would not be commenting at this time but when asked if he was offered, or considered, the option of staying on in a different capacity, he bluntly said, "no."

"After full consideration of the Leafs' situation, it has become clear that change and a new direction is needed," said Richard Peddie, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd in a release. "The decision has been made that John will not be receiving a new contract at the end of this year, and it's in the best interests of the Leafs and of John to begin the transition immediately."

The Maple Leafs have called a 1pm et/10am pt news conference.

Toronto currently sits in 14th place in the Eastern Conference with a 19-22-5-3 record. They have missed the playoffs for the last two seasons.

"[Ferguson] has been given the opportunity and the resources he requested to deliver results from the strategic plans that he put in place when he was named general manager in 2003, and while the new collective bargaining agreement required some re-shaping of those plans, the results have fallen short of what our organization, including John, and our fans expect," said Peddie.

Fletcher had been linked to much of the speculation regarding the team. The Leafs contacted a number of hockey management types last week to gauge their interest in the job and asked Fletcher if he was interested in taking over for the rest of the 2007-08 campaign.

"Cliff Fletcher is the ideal person to lay the groundwork of positive change for the Leafs,” said Peddie. "As all of our general managers have had, he will have the autonomy and responsibility for all hockey decisions with a focus on establishing a foundation from which the next general manager can build. He will guide us through the upcoming trade deadline and toward the draft and free agent signing period."

The Maple Leafs also announced that Toronto sports lawyer Gord Kirke has been retained to assist Peddie in the search for the team's new GM. The search team has specific qualities in mind for the next full-time GM of the club.

"Our ideal candidate will be a long-term builder and a short-term fixer who has an established track record of success on the ice," explained Peddie. "Along with experience and extensive knowledge in the areas of drafting and identifying talent in the professional, amateur and international ranks, this individual will be comfortable with the intense scrutiny within the Toronto hockey market and will work effectively with the media.

"He will have the full autonomy to lead this hockey club in the manner he feels is best," added Peddie.

The fate of head coach Paul Maurice is unknown at this time, however Maurice left the ice at one point during the team's morning practice. He re-emerged from the dressing room with MLSE President and CEO Richard Peddie.

Fletcher, a Montreal native and Hockey Hall of Famer, was GM of the Leafs from 1991 to 1997. His NHL career spans more than 50 years, starting as GM of the Verdun Blues in 1956. Verdun was a junior team operated by the Montreal Canadiens and Fletcher ran the club for 10 years with Sam Pollack never very far away.

Ten years later, the Habs hired him as a scout.

When St. Louis joined the NHL, Fletcher was hired by the Blues to head up the scouting department and later became their assistant general manager.

He got his first GM job with the Atlanta Flames in 1972. He was general manager of the Calgary Flames from 1980-1991. In that time, the Flames won two President's Trophy's and a Stanley Cup.

In 1991, he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as president, GM and COO. He stayed with Toronto through 1997, after helping to turn the team into a contender again.

He joined the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1999 as a senior advisor, before taking over as GM of the Phoenix Coyotes in 2001.

Fletcher was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2004.



Fletcher had memorable first go with Leafs
TSN.ca Staff
1/22/2008 1:15:07 PM

Cliff Fletcher is remembered by many Maple Leafs fans as the man who brought the team back to respectability. Others remember the man who left the cupboard bare.

Hired in 1991 from the Calgary Flames, Fletcher immediately set about re-building the floundering Leafs through a series of bold trades.

In came Grant Fuhr and Glenn Anderson from Edmonton. Fifty-goal scorer Gary Leeman was shipped to Calgary for Doug Gilmour as part of a ten-player swap that also netted Jamie Macoun for Toronto. Fuhr was later flipped to Buffalo for Dave Andreychuk, who starred as Gilmour's wing man.

Hiring coach Pat Burns also helped to change the landscape at Maple Leaf Gardens, too.
Related Info

The early results were good. The Leafs twice reached the conference finals, and Fletcher was named the Hockey News' Executive of the Year. But they were not able to get any further the hump.

Fletcher responded ahead of the 1994-95 season with another bold move, trading fan favourite Wendel Clark, Sylvain Lefebvre, Landon Wilson and a first round pick for Mats Sundin, Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner and a first round pick.

The results were not what Fletcher had hoped for and Toronto never again came close to the Stanley Cup on Fletcher's watch. In his last season at the helm, Toronto finished 23rd in a 26-team league.

Fletcher made more than 50 trades in his Toronto tenure, and that left the minor league system pretty thin for the future. The GM who once famously uttered the words, "draft, shmaft," had made only one quality first round pick - Kenny Jonsson in 1993, and he was traded away.

Fletcher's strategy of trading youth for veteran talent had turned the Flames into a Stanley Cup champion, but it fell short in Toronto and later fell flat in Phoenix.

Will he try again in his second stint in Toronto, even if it's just in an interim capacity at this point? Will that work in the salary cap era?

Time will tell. The trade deadline is just over a month away.

Toronto may have been better off hiring Glenn Healey to be the interim GM. Fletcher's best days are clearly behind him as he sunk Toronto and Phoenix.
Now the Toronto media will up the trade rumours and new GM rumours.

[Themanofbat]

Toronto may have been better off hiring Glenn Healey to be the interim GM. Fletcher's best days are clearly behind him as he sunk Toronto and Phoenix.
Now the Toronto media will up the trade rumours and new GM rumours.

Nobody's surprised about JF Jr. getting the axe... he was a token nobody hired on with the responsibilty to do what all the other people around him told him what to do... now that that has failed miserably, he's on the chopping block.

Fletcher might make a deal or two, but I can only see him lasting until the end of the season.

[Shifty]

TSN.ca Staff
1/22/2008 2:56:48 PM

The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin will be heading to the All-Star game after all as the Russian sniper was one of five injury replacement players added to Sunday's game.

Malkin, along with Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas have been added to the Eastern Conference roster while the Ducks defenceman Scott Niedermayer and forward Corey Perry have been added to the West along with Stars forward Mike Ribeiro.

The players named today replace Colorado Avalanche forward Paul Stastny, Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg, Stars defenseman Sergei Zubov, New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur and Penguins forward Sidney Crosby. Crosby will miss the next six to eight weeks of the season as he recovers from a high ankle sprain suffered during Friday's game against the Lightning. Crosby led all players in fan All-Star balloting and was scheduled to start the game.

Meanwhile Stasny is recovering after getting his appendix removed on January 17th. Zetterberg is resting and aching back while Zubov is attempting to recuperate from groin and foot injuries. No reason was stated for Brodeur's absence.

When the reserve rosters were originally announced, Malkin appeared to be the biggest snub as he is 11th in the league in scoring with 26 goals and 30 assists in 48 games. NHL on TSN analyst Mike Milbury had suggested that the NHL was 'teaching the kid a lesson' for skipping the 2007 NHL Awards show where Malkin captured the Calder Memorial Trophy as the League's top rookie.

The addition of Niedermayer is peculiar considering that the reigning Conn Smythe trophy winning defenceman missed the majority of the season as he weighed retirement. It will be Niedermayer's fifth All-Star appearance while Malkin, Ribeiro, Perry and Thomas will all be making their All-Star debuts.

Nobody's surprised about JF Jr. getting the axe... he was a token nobody hired on with the responsibilty to do what all the other people around him told him what to do... now that that has failed miserably, he's on the chopping block.

Fletcher might make a deal or two, but I can only see him lasting until the end of the season.

He still had a winning record as GM, his mistake was not being prepared after the lockout for the new CBA/new rules but also former GMs Ken Dryden and Pat Quinn didn't leave him with the young talent ready to restock the team either.

Yeah they're hoping to find a GM in 6 months, then Fletcher gets paid 13 months for essentially doing nothing. I don't know why Sundin is being so stubborn, we've seen in the past veteran players being traded then returning in the summer. Instead of playing golf in May, he can enjoy himself and play in the playoffs. Toronto has traded Wendell Clark and Dougie Gilmour, if they can find some team desperate enough to go after Sundin (whose on pace for his best season ever!) they'll do it.

Now which team would go after him? Colorado, New Jersey, Carolina, Minnesota?

[Dark Donnie]

After Sundin?
Flyers showed interest, but I can't see them giving a 1st and Carter.....

[Themanofbat]

He still had a winning record as GM, his mistake was not being prepared after the lockout for the new CBA/new rules but also former GMs Ken Dryden and Pat Quinn didn't leave him with the young talent ready to restock the team either.

I think at the time, no "real" GM wanted the job in Toronto because they knew they'd have to deal with Dryden and Quinn's approval on every decision... who the hell would want to work in those conditions?

Whoever does come in eventually will probably (if he's THAT good of a GM... say someone like Bowman) ask to have no interference with his decisions.

:huh: :huh: :huh:

[Shifty]

Yeah I don't think Philly will go after Sundin. Maybe if they have extra draft picks from deals they've made but they should concentrate on Forsberg and if not just keep the team intact. They just got Gagne back.

On The Score they were saying because of the salary cap, MLSE has all this extra money they can't spend on players so they may end up spending $10 million to get Ken Holland out of Detroit or Brian Burke.

While both Toronto and Buffalo are close to Detroit geographically, their ownership philosophies could not be further apart.

Barring a surprise victory on Friday night versus the Atlanta Thrashers, the Buffalo Sabres will arrive in Toronto on Saturday riding an 11 game winless streak.

With a number like that, it's hard to believe the Sabres aren't looking up at the woeful Maple Leafs in the NHL standings.

Sad really; considering that the Sabres were the Presidents' Trophy winners as the No. 1 team in the league last season.

Or is it?

In a lot of ways the Sabres are like the Leafs, their struggles on the ice are a direct result of what's been done in the front office and, especially, in the owner's suite.

The fans in Toronto have a tough time working up and anger towards ownership because it's mostly a nameless, faceless group represented by a mostly obscure Board of Directors and a couple of businessmen (Larry Tannenbaum & Richard Peddie) who seem better suited at warring with each other and not very effective at change. That leaves fans focusing on general manager John Ferguson who, though mistake prone and under fire, still ranks as the most qualified hockey person in the organization.

But ultimately it will be Ferguson, and perhaps coach Paul Maurice, who pays the price for the Leafs many shortcomings. But when that happens it will still be status quo in Leafs land because ownership will be exactly the same.

In Buffalo, it's only slightly different. Tom Golisano, viewed just three years ago as a knight on a white horse who rode in and rescued the franchise from bankruptcy, is now looked upon as a penny-pinching incompetent whose interests are being managed by managing partner Larry Quinn, a longtime lightning rod for criticism based on his past performance as president (under different ownership). Quinn, and his perceived mishandling of off-season decisions that left this edition of the Sabres without Daniel Briere and Chris Drury and with a bloated contract for Thomas Vanek that has crippled his production, caused dissention in the locker room and has led to poor decisions in regards to Teppo Numminen's medical problems and Brian Campbell's contract negotiations.

What it would be like if fans could hire and fire owners the way owners do with people they employ to take the hits for them?

After all, the Ottawa Senators have had many of the same problems the current Sabres, including bankruptcy, but owner Eugene Melnyk has managed to keep a good team together and may be a Stanley Cup finalist again this season.

Vancouver and Calgary have complicated ownership situations but continue to ice creditable teams and though the Edmonton Oilers have ownership issues almost as absurd as the Leafs, there is still a focus on doing what's right for the product rather than the profits.

Kudos to each, but if I had a vote for most valuable owner, it would go to Mike Illitch of the Detroit Red Wings.

Year after year the product Illitch puts on the ice as every bit as good as the pizza he puts in the boxes of his first-love business: Little Caesars. His baseball team, the Detroit Tigers, are every bit as good (and well run) as his efforts to reignite development in downtown Detroit. He has his critics, but by and large, Illitch is an owner who understands that you can never go wrong by hiring good people and then giving them what they need to do great work.

His hockey operations are a case in point.

The Red Wings win, plain and simple. They don't win Stanley Cup every year since he took over the failing franchise in 1982, but since they were rebuilt to respectability they certainly are perennial contenders. That's because Illitch put his faith and his cash in Ken Holland, arguably the best general manager in hockey. It's also because Illitch allows Holland to spend money on off-ice personal (assistant GM Jim Nill is said to be paid a GM's salary and has duties that keep him both challenged and in the fold though he could easily have a GM's job elsewhere). Holland also gets to spend on scouting and development and he's been allowed to bid for the best in both coaches (Scott Bowman and now Mike Babcock) and players. He's also been allowed enough of a budget to groom his eventual successor, Steve Yzerman, an investment in both Yzerman and his future as well as an investment in the concept of team as family with the long-serving captain being a focal point for the rest of the players who see the franchise like a family taking care of it own.

Can anyone say that about Buffalo or Toronto? What about other franchises like Florida, Phoenix, Los Angeles and other clubs who have almost as much turnover in the ownership ranks as they do in the player ranks?

Ask yourself how many teams would have kept Scotty Bowman in "the family" after he retired as coach of the Red Wings after winning his last of three Cups there in 2002. Also on staff is Mark Howe, son of Gordie Howe and a legendary defenceman in his own right, looking after scouting. And then there is Bob McCammon, a legendary hockey coach and administrator who remains on call for Holland or Babcock to use as they see fit.

It's been said that Detroit has more pro scouts than Central Scouting has for its amateur operations and an amateur scouting base that is larger than any two combined teams in the league.

There are also reports that the Red Wings, at least before the salary cap came into play, would readily spend more than they took in if they felt they were anywhere near close to having a successful season. A good deal of that money is spent keeping scouts and administrators happily working for the Red Wings rather than having them accept offers from other teams. Match that commitment to the Leafs, who've had a revolving door in regards to everyone from scouts to medical staff to coaches and behind the scenes folks. Or to the Sabres, who last season threw their entire scouting department over the side in what they say was a commitment to video scouting. In reality, and consistent with what their critics maintain, the move was a brutal budget slash to increase profitability at the expense of long-time employees.

Clearly ownership matters. You can see it in what George Gillett is attempting to do in Montreal and what's finally happening in Chicago now that the more enlightened heirs of Bill Wirtz are running the franchise.

As for the others? Well short of moving to Detroit, they can only hope to be so lucky.

Jim Kelley writes regularly on the NHL for Sportsnet.ca and can be heard on Primetime Sports on the FAN590.

[E. Nygma]

http://flyers.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=350856&nhlLink=true&page=NewsPage&service=page

There are the plans for the Spectrum when they destroy it.....

I kind of like it, even though i hate to see the building i grew up with demolished.

[Steve Rogers]

What the hell is happening to my Bruins tonight? Jesus Christ. I hate, hate Montreal.


BTW, Tim Thomas made the All-Star team today. *shrugs*

[Johnny Blaze]

I'm not a big fan of the Canadiens either. Though I am glad Huet's on my fantasy team. :o

[Fran]

Wings are 2-0 on their West Coast trip :up:

[Fran]

Also - I jumped from 7th to 3rd place in SHH Hockey :wow:

[Dark Donnie]

Also - I jumped from 7th to 3rd place in SHH Hockey :wow:

:cmad: My team is staying steady at 8th......Tell Zetterberg to man up

[E. Nygma]

Flyers still cant beat the Devils

It's amazing that they play great Hockey for so many consecutive games and then all of a sudden, that NJ appears on the schedule, and the Flyers go flat. I think it's more of a mental thing than a talent thing.

As good as Marty Brodeur is, he was hardly his typical self last night. Yet this Flyers game was a shootout early on, and ended up becoming a game featuring 10 goals combined from each team. Very uncharacteristic of tough northeast Flyer-Devil hockey.

Gotta find a way to beat those guys....

[Johnny Blaze]

I'm still surprised that I jumped into first place. Granted, it's not looking like I'll stay there for long, but I'm enjoying it while it lasts. :woot:

[Themanofbat]

The 3 game minimum for the goalies should still be in effect for the All-Star Weekend...

Most teams play 2 (or more) games this week, and with 2 goalies, you can esily get 4 or more games in, and if your team rotates their goalies, then you need to pay attention and be on the ball.

We didn't have this deal going on when we had the 3 days off for X-Mas...

:huh: :huh: :huh:

:csad:

[Shifty]

The 3 game minimum for the goalies should still be in effect for the All-Star Weekend...

Most teams play 2 (or more) games this week, and with 2 goalies, you can esily get 4 or more games in, and if your team rotates their goalies, then you need to pay attention and be on the ball.

We didn't have this deal going on when we had the 3 days off for X-Mas...

:huh: :huh: :huh:

:csad:

That's what Yahoo! did. I believe they did that last year for All-Star Weekend.
Next week is only 6 days due to the break but the 3 game minimum should be in effect.

[Shifty]

McKenzie: NHL's European plans finalized
Bob McKenzie

1/24/2008 11:35:38 AM

The plans to open the 2008-09 NHL regular season on two European fronts are now finalized.

The league is apparently ready to formally announce this weekend at the NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta that, as expected, the Ottawa Senators will play the Pittsburgh Penguins in Stockholm and the New York Rangers will play the Tampa Bay Lightning in Prague.

The teams will play each other twice on the weekend before the "normal" mid-week opening of the NHL regular season in North America. The games will be played in Stockholm and Prague on Saturday and Sunday with staggered start times so as to present them in "double-header" form for North American TV viewers. The games will, of course, count in the NHL regular season standings.

The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks played a two-game set in London, England, to open this season.

The Sens-Pens and Rangers-Lightning games represent a move to more "traditional" European hockey markets in Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Each of the four teams will play some pre-season games in Europe.

The Rangers are expected to play in the IIHF-sanctioned Victoria Cup tournament in Bern, Switzerland, prior to their meeting with Tampa Bay.

The Senators are scheduled to play Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League, while Tampa is expected to play a tune-up game in Berlin and Pittsburgh in Finland.

Well as long as they only have season opening games in Europe and not plan on expanding to Europe in the future, I'm fine with it. The people in those cities should know how to operate a hockey rink, unlike O2 in London which had light problems delaying the game.

And a amusing link, if the NHL was a high school
http://www.hockeydrunk.com/hockey/if-the-nhl-was-a-high-school/

[Johnny Blaze]

Sweet. Go Bolts. :woot: :up:

[E. Nygma]

good to see the NHL globalizing, Hockey is big in Europe, but it's more national teams and the national leagues than the actual NHL.

[Shifty]

Sweet. Go Bolts. :woot: :up:

Alfie help destroy the Bolts last night. I was hoping he could tie or break Sittler's record just to piss of Leafs Nation even more.

Standings At All-Star Break (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/standings;_ylt=AnhcgzWW3ST919KlTB_bQI17vLYF)

TB while still last in the Eastern Conference has a chance at a playoff spot. They're 7 points back of Southeast Divsion leader Carolina. But Washington seems to be on the rise.

TB and Toronto should fire their coaches, look at the teams in the past two years that have fired their coaches. Atlanta, Washington, Columbus, St.Louis, Chicago, Boston, Calgary, hell New Jersey as well. All have done better. Ottawa's resigned and they're doing better. I know they say Torterella isn't the problem in TB or the players are under performing in Toronto but the evidence shows that teams generally improve and if you're last in the division you can't get much worse.

[E. Nygma]

Alfie help destroy the Bolts last night. I was hoping he could tie or break Sittler's record just to piss of Leafs Nation even more.

Standings At All-Star Break (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/standings;_ylt=AnhcgzWW3ST919KlTB_bQI17vLYF)

TB while still last in the Eastern Conference has a chance at a playoff spot. They're 7 points back of Southeast Divsion leader Carolina. But Washington seems to be on the rise.

TB and Toronto should fire their coaches, look at the teams in the past two years that have fired their coaches. Atlanta, Washington, Columbus, St.Louis, Chicago, Boston, Calgary, hell New Jersey as well. All have done better. Ottawa's resigned and they're doing better. I know they say Torterella isn't the problem in TB or the players are under performing in Toronto but the evidence shows that teams generally improve and if you're last in the division you can't get much worse.

Flyers fired Ken Hitchcock and they are tied for first in the Atlantic.

For as much as we cant beat the Devils, it seems that we're back to owning the Penguins. Despite how terrible the officials were last night, and how that talentless goon George Laraque is out there trying to kill people.

[Fran]

Wings lead the NHL with 78 points heading into the All-Star break :up:

[TLH]

Anyone watching the All-Star game? I can't wait for the breakaway challenge. We're going to see some awesome moves.

[E. Nygma]

all-star Saturday for the NHL is such a waste of time.

[Fran]

Is the All-Star game on tonight?

[E. Nygma]

Is the All-Star game on tonight?

it's on now

[Steve Rogers]

That first period was rough on Ozzy.

[Dark Donnie]

Selanne signed a one year deal....


Anyone have any favorite goals they'd like to post off Youtube?

Not my favorite but

obp8G2JFgkM

[Fran]

Yzerman's slapshot to seal a game-7 win over the Blues in OT. I think it was back in the 1996 playoffs.

Also, Shanny's goal to seal the 2002 Cup, mostly for the crowd's awesomeness after Shanny scores:
latpH57EY-A

[Showtime]

One goal I remember was Adam Oates scoring right off the face off in overtime to win a game. I believe it was a playoff game vs the Buffao Sabres. The ref dropped the puck and he one timed the drop into the net. I can't find it though.

[Showtime]

DodJan46E5M

Cam Neely. 2:48 & 3:13.

[Dark Donnie]

DodJan46E5M

Cam Neely. 2:48 & 3:13.

Good ol Sea Bass

[Dark Donnie]

Wow
Datsyuk
yAZ8ixke4wY

Gagner
F_xNxWmd7cI

[E. Nygma]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uNkl8uX_XaU

Keith Primeau tying 04 eastern finals game six with 1:49 left. When Gagne scored in OT and we won it, i believed we had that series. Unfortunately it was not to be. Primeau had a hell of a playoffs that year, and was a very under rated player and a great captain. He'll be missed!

[Dark Donnie]

uNkl8uX_XaU

Keith Primeau tying 04 eastern finals game six with 1:49 left. When Gagne scored in OT and we won it, i believed we had that series. Unfortunately it was not to be. Primeau had a hell of a playoffs that year, and was a very under rated player and a great captain. He'll be missed!

Fixed

[E. Nygma]

Fixed

Did i not do it right? I'm very bad witht he youtube tagging :csad:

[Dark Donnie]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uNkl8uX_XaU

You only need the bold part

[Dark Donnie]

January 28, Detroit News: The Forsberg-to-Philly talk was the prevailing opinion here in Atlanta. No surprise there. I've had at least one member of the Wings' management team tell me in the last week that Forsberg feels he has "unfinished business" with the Flyers, not to mention a good friendship with Simon Gagne and the fact his girlfriend still has a nice place in downtown Philly. Forsberg's supposed to meet with a foot specialist this week and he hopes to play in a tournament in Stockholm Feb. 7-10. There's even speculation he'll be signed by the Flyers as early as Valentine's Day. Sounds like he's looking for a reasonably-priced deal for the rest of this season and next year, too.

:woot:

[E. Nygma]

what if the Flyers remain red hot, until like March, but are still behind the Senators and then they bring back Forsberg who ends up tanking, hurting the teams chemistry that they have with his hype, or maybe he's just not the same guy? I know it's a rather negative opinion, but maybe they shouldn't "fix what aint broke". This team needs another puck carrying defense men, not necessarily another play maker on offense.

[Dark Donnie]

I'll take my chances with FOrsberg and Gagne together again.

[E. Nygma]

I'll take my chances with FOrsberg and Gagne together again.

Does that demote Briere to the second line then and reform the Gagne-Forsberg-Knuble line? Because thats a lot of money to be paying a 2nd line center in Briere. The guy who was supposed to make us a contender in the east again.

[Dark Donnie]

If Forsberg comes back I would think he would go with Gagne. If Briere still produces, im fine with it. Perhaps Forsberg could move with Carter and Lupol. Also I don't think anyone thought we would turn it around this quickly, he had one of the worst season in NHL history last year now were first in the Atlantic. I think the FO think we could do some damage in the playoffs with Forsberg.

[NewYorkSpider]

Does that demote Briere to the second line then and reform the Gagne-Forsberg-Knuble line? Because thats a lot of money to be paying a 2nd line center in Briere. The guy who was supposed to make us a contender in the east again.

They're paying him 10Mil this season. I don't know why they would demote him if they bring in Forsberg.

[E. Nygma]

They're paying him 10Mil this season. I don't know why they would demote him if they bring in Forsberg.

Right

But Forsberg playing on the 2nd line? He's the Wizard of Ice! The Prince of Puck! Peter The Great!

Certainly will be a strange sight.

[NewYorkSpider]

Right

But Forsberg playing on the 2nd line? He's the Wizard of Ice! The Prince of Puck! Peter The Great!

Certainly will be a strange sight.

I think it creates a problem for the Flyers if that's the case. I would think they would have to convince Forsberg to play on the 2nd line. I don't want the front line to be changed since we've been playing so well. And I'm not underestimating Forsberg, I just think it would be a disaster to ruin the team chemistry that the front line has.

[Shifty]

Still it makes me wonder what the **** was Forsberg doing in Nashville in the first place?

Anywhere he goes he'll probably be on the second line, he's there for additional help not to be the number one guy. He doesn't want that pressure. Apparently he could have a contract ready by next week and show up later in February.

[kane9321]

all right sharks got jody shelley...excellent. We need some nastiness on our team..bout time. He'll get the ugly nasty goals for us,and he'll muck it up in front of the net..gonna be great watchin him...go sharks go

[Dark Donnie]

Peter Forsberg-C-Predators Jan. 31 - 12:13 pm et

Peter Forsberg has told Modo of the Swedish Elite League that his objective is to sign with an NHL team this season according to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.

Forsberg told Modo on Wednesday that he would not sign with the Swedish Elite team. Forsberg has given his agent Donald Baizley permission to start negotiating with NHL teams. Forsberg is still a superstar who will affect what happens at the trade deadline as there is no compensation necessary with the unrestricted free agent. Perhaps, he can convince Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin to work a trade to the team he is going to sign with. Whatever team that would be, would become instant Stanley Cup contenders, if they aren't already.
Source: TSN.ca

:cwink:

[E. Nygma]

I think Peter will be a Flyer by the end of February. Where he's playing with them or not, he'll at least be re-signed.

[Dark Donnie]

Alex Ovechkin-W-Capitals Feb. 1 - 2:03 pm et

Alexander Ovechkin proved to be tough as well as skilled on Thursday night.

In addition to Ovechkin's four goal-five point performance, he suffered a broken nose, a cut cheek and stitches to repair a gash on his lip. The personable Russian summed it up best, "Today was special day. I broke my nose, I have stitches, I score four goals. Everything go to my face. It's the fifth time I broke my nose. It's okay." We are witnessing a truly special player in Ovechkin.
Source: Washington Post

:bow:

[E. Nygma]

Forgive me sounding like a broken record:

But if the Flyers have any chances at a legitimate playoff game they need to be teams that:

1. AREN'T the Pittsburgh penguins
2. ARE the New Jersey Devils
3. ARE the New York Rangers IN Philadelphia

[Dark Donnie]

Flyers can't solve Brodeur, never have. Aren't they like 1-17 in the last 18, some ridic #.

[Alex The Great]

what happened to ma senators :csad:

[Dark Donnie]

what happened to ma senators :csad:

Heatley and Alfredsson being hurt

[E. Nygma]

Flyers can't solve Brodeur, never have. Aren't they like 1-17 in the last 18, some ridic #.

Yeah, it's something like that, thats just incredible. This is hardly a recent thing either. The ONE year during the Brodeur era that we went to the cup, we didn't play the Devils in the playoffs. They stopped is in 2000 and 1995. It's incredible how much this team struggles against them.

[Dark Donnie]

Per Rotoworld:

Dick Tarnstrom-D-Blue Jackets Feb. 1 - 4:44 pm et

The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired Dick Tarnstrom from the Edmonton Oilers for Curtis Glencross.

Tarnstrom scored 16 goals and registered 36 assists in 80 games during the 2003-04 season. However, he has not been a notable fantasy contributor since then. Tarnstrom had just five points and 40 penalty minutes in 29 games this season. He was a healthy scratch in five of the Oilers' last eight games.
Source: TSN.ca


Radek Dvorak-W-Panthers Feb. 1 - 4:16 pm et

The Florida Panthers are reportedly looking to deal Radek Dvorak and Branislav Mezei.

Dvorak has just five goals and 12 points in 52 games this season. Defenseman Mezei has a team-worst minus-12 plus/minus rating in 39 games.
Source: TSN.ca
Related: Branislav Mezei


Nik Antropov-C-Maple Leafs Feb. 1 - 4:04 pm et

If the Toronto Maple Leafs shop Nik Antropov, they might attract the interest of the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks.

After Mats Sundin, Antropov leads the Maple Leafs with 18 goals and 41 points in 53 games. He has also spent 76 minutes in the sin bin this season. The Leafs
Source: TSN.ca
Related: Red Wings, Sharks

[Steve Rogers]

what happened to ma senators :csad:They lost to ma Bruins.

[Alex The Great]

Heatley and Alfredsson being hurt
:csad:X 1000

[E. Nygma]

Mike Knuble with his first hat trick of his 700+ game career!

Nice Mike!

Marty Biron shuts down the Ducks, and the Flyers win 3-0! WOOOOOO

[Alex The Great]

groan.....yet another loss :csad:
and against the LEAFS! :cmad: :cmad: :cmad: :cmad:

[Shifty]

I think Peter will be a Flyer by the end of February. Where he's playing with them or not, he'll at least be re-signed.

Forsberg's suitors include 6 Canadian teams
Darren Dreger TSN.ca
2/1/2008

The expectation among interested NHL general managers is that Peter Forsberg will determine his playing status within a week.

According to one manager who doesn't want to be identified, Forsberg is believed to be progressing well. "I'm told he's looking better every day, however there's a big difference between skating with Modo and playing in the NHL."

Sources tell TSN Forsberg's agent Don Baizley hasn't placed any strict conditions on the bidding process, although it's believed Forsberg is interested in playing beyond this season, so the team he determines to be the best fit will not only have to have the cap space for this season, but the necessary tagging room for next season as well.

According to two teams involved in the process, hard numbers are currently being thrown at Baizley with a salary of $5 million adjusted to reflect the time remaining in the regular season offered as the ballpark compensation.

Since Forsberg just recently consented to engage in discussions with NHL teams, some are comparing this stage to a silent auction, whereby clubs submit their interest and bid according to their cap scenarios and simply hope for the best.

Numerous teams have expressed interest in Forsberg, including all six Canadian teams at various points throughout his speculated return.

However, there remains a strong belief that the Philadelphia Flyers may be Forsberg's destination of choice. The Flyers organization treated him very well even though the team struggled mightily with him on board. There is a sense Forsberg feels he still has some unfinished business in Philly.

Creating room for Forsberg may require Flyers general manager, Paul Holmgren to do some "business" as well, as Philadelphia is right up against the cap and have yet to resign forward Jeff Carter, who is scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1st.

Don Baizley refused to comment.
Posted: 11:58 AM by Darren Dreger

http://www.nhlnumbers.com/compare.php?type=capspace&order=DESC

Philly has the least amount of cap space left. Looking at teams that can make some room for Forsberg and are high in the standings the Penguins, Canadiens and Red Wings seem like they have what it takes to sign him.

[E. Nygma]

Holmgren said last week that they have enough right now to bring in Forsberg.....so

[Shifty]

Holmgren said last week that they have enough right now to bring in Forsberg.....so

Well I hope they do. I have some Flyers on my fantasy team.

I was watching TSN's The Reporters and Gord Miller said that Forsberg is a student of hockey and would never sign with Detroit due to the rivalry with Colorado. So even though its been years since that rivalry has been hot, he's played with two different teams since leaving the Avs and Detroit seems solid for a Cup win he won't pull at Brett Hull and sign with them.

[Dark Donnie]

I think it will come down to Philly and Colorado. It's believed that Forsberg wants a 2 yr deal around 5 Mil total. The Flyers, have been rumored to be shopping a few players to create some cap space(Umberger, Knuble, Vandermeer are all rumored). The Flyers are overstocked at Winger so they can afford a move.

Resigning Jeff Carter, which seems like an obvious move, seems to be taking alot longer then people thought.

[Fran]

Yes, we are at 84 points. :word::up:

[NewYorkSpider]

What the hell is wrong with Ottawa? :huh: Flyers are 5 points away from being the best in the Eastern Confernce.

[Dark Donnie]

What the hell is wrong with Ottawa? :huh: Flyers are 5 points away from being the best in the Eastern Confernce.

I think its quite obvious, injuries and a Goaltender that is nuts.

[Fran]

Okay...

This is the year the Wings absolutely NEED to win the Stanley Cup. We're loaded, and cruising away with the President's Trophy. Once that is locked up, rest everyone, or just play them in small doses to keep them fresh.

I'm tired of being so close yet so far away... it's happened too much this decade. 2002 was a dream year, and it feels like 2002 all over again.

Go Wings.

[E. Nygma]

I think its quite obvious, injuries and a Goaltender that is nuts.

Absolutely it's the injuries, the Flyers NEED to catch them now before they get healthy and become the most dangerous team in the east again. Tonight's a good start against Atlanta, a team we never seem to lose to.

[NewYorkSpider]

Fla - 7
Tor - 0

:dry:

[Fran]

Wow... we play Toronto this weekend. :up:

[Fran]

Holy crap it's now 8-0. :dry:

[E. Nygma]

Flyers win 3-2, beating the Thrashers in a very entertaining games.

Sens lose
Rangers lose

Standings are as follows:
1. Ottawa - 68
2. Philadelphia - 65

New Jersey - 63
Pittsburgh - 63
Rangers - 60

Flyers have played only 52 games however

I like our odds when we get Lupul and Forsberg!

[Shifty]

I think its quite obvious, injuries and a Goaltender that is nuts.

Any team that lost their equivalents of Heatley and Alfredson wouldn't be that great.

20 days and counting to the NHL trade deadline.
Anyone taking off work/school to watch or has plans to watch coverage?



Its now a final, F-L-A 8 Toronto 0. Shame its on the road, they could use a win like that at home.

[Fran]

Eight wins in a row for the Wings! :up:

[Shifty]

Eight wins in a row for the Wings! :up:

Eh why bother, some 3rd or 4th place team will eliminate you in the playoffs. :oldrazz: I think its the Sharks turn this year.

[Fran]

That's what was said last year.

Thanks for the moral support :up:

[Shifty]

That's what was said last year.

Thanks for the moral support :up:

Or maybe the order is Ducks, Flames, Oilers and it should be the Flames this year.

[Fran]

Well you'll lose in the Cup Finals again. :up:

[War Party]

Tonight Ron Hextall will be inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame. So it's going to be a special night and hopefully the Flyers will come out pumped up to play the Capitals. I'll be there tonight wearing my Hextall jersey and seeing one of the greatest Flyers ever. Here is a great video of Ron Hextall doing what he did best:

Z8_wrJpRDaU

[Immortalfire]

Thrashers are never going to beat Philly. ugh.

[Dark Donnie]

I agree Immortal:cwink:

Peter Forsberg-C-Predators Feb. 6 - 12:20 pm et

The Dallas Stars are officially out of the Peter Forsberg sweepstakes.

Dallas co-GM Les Jackson said that the team offered Forsberg a contract last weekend, but was rebuffed by Forsberg's camp. The soap opera continues.
Source: Dallas News

Also read he turned down both the Wings and Preds

[Fran]

Good, I don't want him ruining the Wings chemistry.

[Dark Donnie]

They went after him apparently so.....Wings didn't need him anyway.

[Fran]

Yeah, which is why I'm glad we didn't get him. I think Bertuzzi was a bomb last year.

[Dark Donnie]

Hes doing well in Anaheim now

[Fran]

He won't be for long... he's too old. He might have one more good year left in him.

[Dark Donnie]

Dion Phaneuf-D-Flames Feb. 6 - 8:59 pm et

Dion Phaneuf signed a six-year/$39 million extension with the Calgary Flames.

"It remains very important for us to lock up our key young players," said GM Darryl Sutter. "Our goal with Dion was to provide an arrangement that will allow him to take his game to the next level." Phaneuf would have become a restricted free agent at the end of this season. Phaneuf will make $7 million in the first season of the deal. He will then make $6.5 million the following year, followed by $7 million in year three, $6.5 million in years four and five, and $5.5 million in the last season of the deal. Phaneuf has nine goals, 26 assists and 106 penalty minutes in 54 games this season.
Source: TSN.ca

[E. Nygma]

The Flyers lost tonight to the Capitals 4-3 after they fought back down 4-1. They were also screwed on a goal that was called a NO GOAL. But a loss is a loss. The Devils lost in a shootout tonight so now they move ahead of the Flyers in the standings. This loss hurt. While the Caps have been very good since their bad start in October/November, the Flyers had to win tonight on home ice, on RON HEXTALL FLYERS HALL OF FAME NIGHT, to stay ahead of the Devils going into a tough game Saturday with the Rangers.

[NewYorkSpider]

I believe the Flyers are still ahead by a point in the Atlantic. I hope we can keep pace with Ottawa and gain home ice throughout the playoffs.

[War Party]

I believe the Flyers are still ahead by a point in the Atlantic. I hope we can keep pace with Ottawa and gain home ice throughout the playoffs.

Yeah, the Flyers still have a 1 point lead. I really think that Hartnell goal should of counted. A similar situation happened last week against the Rangers and the refs allowed that goal. So I don't know what happened there. Puck was definitely in before Hartnell pushed Kolzig into the net. Oh well, it was a great game to be at and seeing Ron Hextall was awesome. And he delivered a wonderful speech.

[NewYorkSpider]

Good to see Ron Hextall get in the Flyers Hall Of Fame. He was the first goaltender ever to score a goal by shooting it from the other end.

_JHSXkD98_k

[War Party]

Check out the video I posted on the previous page. Has all the top Hextall highlights. The man is a legend.

[Dark Donnie]

Does anyon have the Hextall tribute video they showed last night? It was awesome.

I loved Gretzky's quote of him being the best Goaltender he ever faced.

[E. Nygma]

Yeah i apologize, the Flyers still are in first place in the east. I keep forgetting that the Devils even with the extra game played over the Flyers dont have as many points. But they will if the Flyers lose to the Rangers on saturday, a team they've struggled with.

[Shifty]

I believe the Flyers are still ahead by a point in the Atlantic. I hope we can keep pace with Ottawa and gain home ice throughout the playoffs.

There's also Montreal right up there.

And even though they technically should be 9th, the Capitals have leaped into 3rd. The last time they were this deep into the season and first in their division was 2001.

[Dark Donnie]

Reports are that Forsberg foot still may not be 100% and he is having a hard time making a commitment to an NHL team :(

[The Incredible Hulk]

stick a fork in the Islanders, they're done.

trade off comrie, guerin, and whoever else and get whatever prospects you can

[E. Nygma]

There's also Montreal right up there.

And even though they technically should be 9th, the Capitals have leaped into 3rd. The last time they were this deep into the season and first in their division was 2001.

playing very well with the coaching change, it's a completely different team it seams, and AO is going to score 65 goals easy.

[Dark Donnie]

Looks like Gagne might be done for the year :(

[Fran]

The Ducks continue to beat us. :down

[Fran]

After seeing the end of the Wings/Ducks game, we got screwed.

Lidstrom made a slapshot to tie it at 3-3 with less than a minute left.

The refs waived it off due to "interference" on Holmstrom.

He was NOT in the crease at all, and didn't even tough Giguere.

AND at the end of the game, the refs let the entire Ducks team jump on Johan Franzen. WHAT THE HELL?

What a bunch of s*** :down

[Alex The Great]

Heats back....Alfey's back...THE SENS ARE BACK!!! :cmad::up:


And no....i'm not a bandwagon fan for ottawa. I lived in ottowa most of my life. so pretty much. chose them when i came to ottowa when i was like....5.

:cmad::up: DA SENS! :cmad::up:

[Fran]

I demand that the referees who officiated today's Wings/Ducks game have their pay docked. An AWFUL final minute for the NHL.

[Alex The Great]

agreed :down

[Poeman]

yeah that was so ****ed up... it was a sick slapshot by lidstrom too

[Dark Donnie]

Hextall Intro Video

jsiqkTgLZ5o
fpQbr5qj7zo

[Poeman]

ok so i dunno if anyone of you saw...but richard zednik got his NECK SLICED by olli jokinen's skate...serious amounts of blood was around the ice and he made it to the bench, but by the time he got to the dressing room he passed out.

Hes in stable condition now tho

heres the video
O1xQM1LTGK0

[Shifty]

And only 10 minutes left in the 3rd too.

Glad to hear he's okay.

[Dark Donnie]

I really hope he makes it through this ok, that was alot of blood. I felt really bad for Jokinen as well, he looked really shook up.

[Showtime]

They should have postponed the game.

[The Incredible Hulk]

Hextall Intro Video

jsiqkTgLZ5o
fpQbr5qj7zo


good ole Ronnie Hack-stall.... backstopped one of the worst Islander playoff performances in history

[Shifty]

They should have postponed the game.

Who made the call?

Link to a big picture that shows the blood trail. Warning!
http://withleather.com/post.phtml?pk=4990

[Dark Donnie]

good ole Ronnie Hack-stall.... backstopped one of the worst Islander playoff performances in history

I love Hextall:csad:

[Themanofbat]

ok so i dunno if anyone of you saw...but richard zednik got his NECK SLICED by olli jokinen's skate...serious amounts of blood was around the ice and he made it to the bench, but by the time he got to the dressing room he passed out.

The same thing happened to former Sabres' goalie Clint Malarchuk a few years back (I think it was the late 80's)... had a skate slit his neck, and if it weren't for the medical staff in Buffalo, he would have died.

WARNING....LOTS OF BLOOD IN THIS ONE...

dT4PenDwiPo

After that, all goalies had to wear that neck protector that they wear nowadays.

[The Incredible Hulk]

I love Hextall:csad:

only good thing he ever did was try to kill Chelios in the '86 playoffs.

[Dark Donnie]

only good thing he ever did was try to kill Chelios in the '86 playoffs.

I loved when he went after people, plus he was a pretty damn good goalie, just my opinion though.

[Jerry!]

The same thing happened to former Sabres' goalie Clint Malarchuk a few years back (I think it was the late 80's)... had a skate slit his neck, and if it weren't for the medical staff in Buffalo, he would have died.

WARNING....LOTS OF BLOOD IN THIS ONE...

dT4PenDwiPo

After that, all goalies had to wear that neck protector that they wear nowadays.

jesus. What the **** is it with the NHL? Are they just ignorant or something? I mean, how long did it take them to start mandating helmets for god's sake?

[Themanofbat]

jesus. What the **** is it with the NHL? Are they just ignorant or something? I mean, how long did it take them to start mandating helmets for god's sake?

The ruling for mandatory helmets in the NHL occured in 1979, but allowed former players who were not wearing them prior to 1979 to have the choice to not wear them, as well as former WHA players who were helmetless that entered the NHL.

The last player to not wear a helmet was Craig MacTavish in 1997.

[Jerry!]

There is a line between toughness and flat out stupidity.

[Themanofbat]

I have a hard time thinking that goalies at one point did not wear masks... :wow: :wow: :wow:

Then again... guys weren't shooting the puck 100 mph neither...

[Dark Donnie]

I have a hard time thinking that goalies at one point did not wear masks... :wow: :wow: :wow:

Then again... guys weren't shooting the puck 100 mph neither...

They just had a frozen in time thing on NHL Network talking about some of the goaltenders from that era....it takes a nice combination of stupidity and balls to do that.

[NewYorkSpider]

Who made the call?

Link to a big picture that shows the blood trail. Warning!
http://withleather.com/post.phtml?pk=4990


Someone called Gary Bettman and he said to continue the game if Zednik was ok. They still should have postponed it.

[Alex The Great]

ok so i dunno if anyone of you saw...but richard zednik got his NECK SLICED by olli jokinen's skate...serious amounts of blood was around the ice and he made it to the bench, but by the time he got to the dressing room he passed out.

Hes in stable condition now tho

heres the video
O1xQM1LTGK0
damn.....hope he's ok

[Steve Rogers]

Just goes to show just how fragile the human body is.

Now, neck protectors are mandatory? Are you sure on that Themanofbat? I know I've seen some games where goalies are not wearing them. I play goal, and I am not stupid enough to step out onto the ice with out mine.

[Themanofbat]

Just goes to show just how fragile the human body is.

Now, neck protectors are mandatory? Are you sure on that Themanofbat? I know I've seen some games where goalies are not wearing them. I play goal, and I am not stupid enough to step out onto the ice with out mine.

Well, I'm not positive if they were mandatory, but a LOT of goalies started wearing them afterwards...

[Themanofbat]

This is from Wiki... so who knows how reliable it is...

Throat injury

The infamous moment that Malarchuk is perhaps most known for occurred during a game on March 22, 1989, between the visiting St. Louis Blues and Malarchuk's Buffalo Sabres. Steve Tuttle of the Blues and Uwe Krupp of the Sabres collided at the mouth of the goal, and Tuttle's skate caught Malarchuk on the neck, slicing open his internal carotid artery.

With pools of blood collecting on the ice, Malarchuk somehow left the ice under his own power with the assistance of his team's athletic trainer, Jim Pizzutelli, ATC. Many spectators were physically sickened by the sight, with nine fainting and two suffering heart attacks while two teammates vomited on the ice. Local television cameras covering the game cut away from the sight of Malarchuk after realizing what had happened.

Malarchuk, meanwhile, had only two thoughts: He was going to die, and he had to do it the right way. "All I wanted to do was get off the ice", said Malarchuk. "My mother was watching the game on TV, and I didn't want her to see me die."[citation needed]

Malarchuk's life was saved by Jim Pizzutelli, ATC, the team's athletic trainer and a former army medic who had served in Vietnam. He reached into Malarchuk's neck and pinched off the bleeding, not letting go until doctors arrived to begin suturing the wound. Still, Malarchuk came within minutes of becoming only the second on-ice fatality in NHL history (the first, and thus far only, was Bill Masterton).

Amazingly, after receiving more than 300 stitches to close the wound, Malarchuk returned to practice four days later, having spent only one night in the hospital. And about a week after that, he was back between the pipes against the Quebec Nordiques. "Doctors told me to take the rest of the year off, but there was no way", Malarchuk said. "The longer you wait, the harder it's going to be. I play for keeps."

Malarchuk's performance declined over the next few years, to the point that he left the NHL. After this, he struggled with obsessive-compulsive disorder (as he had since a young age) and alcoholism, but he eventually returned to hockey, in the International Hockey League. After retiring as a player, Malarchuk continued his hockey career as a coach.

After Malarchuk's injury, the NHL instituted a policy requiring all goalies to wear neck protection.

In 1995, a Swedish hockey player, Bengt Åkerblom, died of blood loss after an incident similar to Malarchuk's.

[Watson]

Who made the call?

Link to a big picture that shows the blood trail. Warning!
http://withleather.com/post.phtml?pk=4990

Dear Lord. That is awful. I'm glad he is ok though.

But Bettman...ugh what a piece of work. He wouldn't stop a game even if the mascot had his head lopped off if it meant the league would loose money.

[Fran]

Bettman sucks.

[Steve Rogers]

Well I'm thinking of those little plastic throat protectors that hang off the bottom of the mask. Apparently there is another kind that is worn around the neck like a collar and is less visible. Guess that's why I thought some guys weren't wearing anything at all.

[Jerry!]

Again, another piece of safety equipment that should be mandatory.

[Shifty]

The ruling for mandatory helmets in the NHL occured in 1979, but allowed former players who were not wearing them prior to 1979 to have the choice to not wear them, as well as former WHA players who were helmetless that entered the NHL.

The last player to not wear a helmet was Craig MacTavish in 1997.

I always remember watching him in the early 90s wondering why that guy wasn't wearing a helmet, thought he lost it in a hit.

[Shifty]

McKenzie: Senators are much improved

Bob McKenzie tsn.ca
2/11/2008 6:53:07 PM

By this season's meager standards, the Ottawa Senators' four-player trade with the Carolina Hurricanes qualifies as nothing less than a blockbuster and should be the catalyst to get other teams to follow suit with only two weeks until the trade deadline.

This is a good trade for Ottawa.

The Senators have added three Stanley Cups to their roster - two for Cory Stillman and one for Mike Commodore - and they have added a legitimate top six forward and a top four defenceman. If Stillman and Commodore play to their potential, the Senators are much improved. Stillman's secondary scoring is particularly welcome.

The deal makes sense for Carolina because they get a good, young, but oft-injured, Patrick Eaves and Joe Corvo will help the power play.

Both players will be in the fold for another couple of years, while Stillman and Commodore become unrestricted free agents this summer and there's nothing to stop the Hurricanes from taking a run at both of them on July 1.

Now we'll see who else is going to get busy.

It's down to crunch time for the Atlanta Thrashers and Marian Hossa. If Hossa won't sign a long-term extension, expect the Thrashers to commence the shopping process.

As for the daily Peter Forsberg update, he's now apparently waiting until the end of this week before making his decision on whether he's physically able to come back to the NHL.

He's continuing to test his wonky foot and will only sign if he's confident it's good to go.

Maybe this lastest trade will sway Forsberg to Ottawa...
Apparently Chicago has given him the best offer based on dollars and number of years but they're not a contender.

[NewYorkSpider]

I was searching through YouTube cause I'm bored as hell. I came across this video that made me :lmao:.

TKuA1H8gd4U

[Jerry!]

Maybe this lastest trade will sway Forsberg to Ottawa...
Apparently Chicago has given him the best offer based on dollars and number of years but they're not a contender.....

....yet. Give it a few years maybe a few signings along the way. If some of these players develop like they should then they will be contenders. But I didn't know that Chicago had offered Forsberg anything. Interesting. They have a young team that is finally headed in the right direction for the first time in, oh lets say a little over 10 years.

[Dark Donnie]

Forsberg apparently was supposed to be locked up by The Flyers last week, its believed that he's still up in the air about returning.

[Steve Rogers]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay of topic, but Donnie's now the front runner in the greatest avatar in history competition. :up:

[Dark Donnie]

haha, thanks man. It took me a while to find this specific pic.

Big Trouble in Little China is a great film...

[Steve Rogers]

Hell yeah it is. One of my favorites.

"Terrific, a six demon bag! Sensational, what's in it, egg?"

And, now back to the NHL.

[Dark Donnie]

Hell yeah it is. One of my favorites.

"Terrific, a six demon bag! Sensational, what's in it, egg?"

And, now back to the NHL.

"Which Lo Pan? The little old basket case on wheels or the ten foot tall roadblock?"


Back to NHL action, Tomas Plekanec has been on fire for my fantasy team of late, another goal tonight, same thing with Radulov

[Steve Rogers]

"Go on and rule the universe from beyond the grave."
"Indeed!"
"Or check into a psycho ward which ever comes first."

Bruins still hanging around the playoff picture (barely) even without Bergeron. Hope he comes back soon. If the B's can squeak into the post-season and have a healthy Bergeron back in time for the first round, they could make some noise.

Damn, they're loosing to Carolina right now.

[Dark Donnie]

"Go on and rule the universe from beyond the grave."
"Indeed!"
"Or check into a psycho ward which ever comes first."

Bruins still hanging around the playoff picture (barely) even without Bergeron. Hope he comes back soon. If the B's can squeak into the post-season and have a healthy Bergeron back in time for the first round, they could make some noise.

Damn, they're loosing to Carolina right now.

Do you guys have the VS channel up there? I feel like ripping my eyes out the announcers are so bad sometimes.

[Steve Rogers]

Yeah I have VS. But what I want is NHL Center Ice. I don't notice anything wrong with the announcers on VS myself, but it's always better to watch your favorite team on the local channel. That way you get a very biased play by play. :up:

[Immortalfire]

Yeah I have VS. But what I want is NHL Center Ice. I don't notice anything wrong with the announcers on VS myself, but it's always better to watch your favorite team on the local channel. That way you get a very biased play by play. :up:

Agreed.

[Shifty]

TSN's Trade Deadline coverage begins at 10am et/7am pt.
Steve Kouleas has declared that The Score will be the first ones on the air and will start at 7:55am et/3:55 pt or earlier if they have too. TSN has scaled back by an hour since the early hours are mostly filler or no name trades.

[E. Nygma]

forgive my absence i've been hiding under a rock with the Flyers collapse over the last week and a half.

[Alex The Great]

i heard a rumor that Marian Hossa might be returing to ottowa? :wow:

if this is true then please dear sweet baby jesus....YES!:woot: :cmad: :woot:


but it'll prolly not happen :csad:

[NewYorkSpider]

forgive my absence i've been hiding under a rock with the Flyers collapse over the last week and a half.

Same here.

[Shifty]

i heard a rumor that Marian Hossa might be returing to ottowa? :wow:

if this is true then please dear sweet baby jesus....YES!:woot: :cmad: :woot:


but it'll prolly not happen :csad:

Bah! He disappears in the playoffs. He had only one good playoff round against Tampa and that was it. Same thing with Atlanta last year.

Better off improving our third and fourth lines.

[Dark Donnie]

i heard a rumor that Marian Hossa might be returing to ottowa? :wow:

if this is true then please dear sweet baby jesus....YES!:woot: :cmad: :woot:


but it'll prolly not happen :csad:

I really doubt that will happen after the whole sign and trade thing.

[Dark Donnie]

Brind Amour is done for the year

[Shifty]

TSN.ca Staff with files

2/15/2008 11:19:05 AM

With 11 days to go until the NHL's trade deadline, the window for the Atlanta Thrashers to re-sign Marian Hossa is getting a lot smaller.

The high-scoring winger admitted to the Atlanta Journal Constitution on Friday that the chances of getting a new contract with the Thrashers before Feb. 26 are, "very slim."

"There's always possibility, but there's a very slim chance to do that," he told the newspaper. "We've been waiting such a long time, right now, what kind of miracle is going to happen right now? There's a slim chance, but like I said, there's still one week away and you never know."

The 29-year-old forward will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and Thrashers general manager Don Waddell has maintained over the last few months that his top priority is to sign him to a contract extension.

"They could lose me for nothing," Hossa added to the paper. "Obviously they're aware of that. It's a big decision on their part."

Hossa, who has averaged nearly a point a game over 10 NHL seasons, is second in team scoring this year with 25 goals and 51 points.

Files from the Atlanta Journal Constitution were used for this report.


Atlanta is probably better off trading him and getting younger talent back, even if they do make the playoffs via the Southeast Division Title they're likely gone since they're technically a 9th or 10th place team.

The Leafs are in last place in the East! They're only 8 points away from the 8th spot but they should just tear apart the team get some talent, draft picks and they could get the number two choice at the draft. Only time the Leafs picked first they got Wendell Clark in '85.

[Dark Donnie]

...
Phil Kessel-C-Bruins Feb. 15 - 4:09 pm et

The Boston Bruins may be looking to trade one of their young players for a top goal-scorer.

20 year old Phil Kessel may be one of the players Boston could trade. Blueliners Mark Stuart and Matt Lashoff are also possibilities.
Source: TSN.ca
Related: Mark Stuart

[Shifty]

6th straight loss for the Flyers! What's happened? They better be careful or they're going to be one of those teams fighting for the last two playoff spots.

Detroit is in quite a funk. Dallas is slowly catching up.

And Ottawa's days as the #1 team in the East look like they're about to end soon. The Devils and Canadiens are just two points back, with the Penguins at four.


A kickass list on all the teams and the UFA, RFAs, prospects and what they'll likely do for the dead line.
EAST
http://www.tsn.ca/fantasy_news/columnists/scott_cullen/?ID=229479
WEST
http://www.tsn.ca/fantasy_news/columnists/scott_cullen/?ID=229480

[Dark Donnie]

Flyers have gotten bit by the injury bug horribly. There in need of a D Man terribly, and Briere has been very underwhelming as well.

[NewYorkSpider]

6th straight loss for the Flyers! What's happened? They better be careful or they're going to be one of those teams fighting for the last two playoff spots.


It's getting horrible. I hope Forsberg can come in and gives us some confidence. We should find out on Tuesday if he is gonna play.

[Fran]

Hey, the Wings have lost six straight too! :up:

:csad:

:sobbing:

[NewYorkSpider]

At least your team is still in first. :csad:

[Alex The Great]

Hey, the Wings have lost six straight too! :up:

:csad:

:sobbing:
didn't they lose like....5-1 to the jackets last game? :woot::up:

[Fran]

No, they lost 1-0 to Dallas.

[Jerry!]

Yet they are still, what, 5 games up in the division? Don't really need to worry about it.

[Fran]

It's still unacceptable to lose 6 games in a row.

[Jerry!]

Hot streaks, cold streaks. They happen.

[Fran]

Yeah, I know. It's the way things go.

[Jerry!]

Still friends?

[Fran]

For shizzle.

[E. Nygma]

7 in a row, 7 in a row! Hi, Low this team just blows 7 in a row!

[Dark Donnie]

Flyers called up Claude Giroux apparently

[Dark Donnie]

Forsberg will not be returning this year

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=229969&hubname=nhl

[Fran]

Woohoo! We end the cold streak and beat the Avs! :up:

[War Party]

Giroux leads the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 88 points (33g, 55a) in 47 games. He is a + 31 with five shorthanded goals and eight game-winning goals. He will be making his NHL debut.

And the injuries keep stacking up for the Flyers:csad:

Derian Hatcher-D- Flyers Feb. 18 - 2:05 pm et


Derian Hatcher will miss the next three weeks with a knee injury.
Hatcher had surgery on his knee earlier this season and this is simply an aggravation of that injury. He is not worth owning in most fantasy leagues at this point.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Joffrey Lupul-W- Flyers Feb. 18 - 1:54 pm et


Joffrey Lupul is lost for the next two-to-three weeks with a high ankle sprain.
This isn't good news as a few other players who went down with a high ankle sprain have missed significantly more time than the initial prognosis stated. Reserve Lupul immediately.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Steve Downie-W- Flyers Feb. 18 - 1:52 pm et


Steve Downie suffered a concussion on Sunday against the Canadiens.
The gritty winger is listed as day-to-day for the moment - reserve him immediately. Downie has been a fantasy surprise this season with five goals and 11 points in 23 games with 56 PIMs.

[Shifty]

stick a fork in the Islanders, they're done.

trade off comrie, guerin, and whoever else and get whatever prospects you can

They're only three points out of a playoff spot now. The Flyers are looking like a team that's done. However, its probably in their best interest to trade players and get draft picks after essentially losing everything they gave away for Smyth last year.

[NewYorkSpider]

Oh Flyers, what's wrong? :csad:

[Dark Donnie]

Woohoo! We end the cold streak and beat the Avs! :up:

I heard Lidstrom might be out 3 weeks.

[War Party]

They're only three points out of a playoff spot now. The Flyers are looking like a team that's done. However, its probably in their best interest to trade players and get draft picks after essentially losing everything they gave away for Smyth last year.

How are the Flyers looking like a team that's done? Yes, they're in the middle of a terrible terrible slump, but the Eastern Conference is so tight. They put 3 wins together, they're right back in it. Plus, 22 games are left in the season. Any team that has a chance of the playoffs are far from done.

[Shifty]

True but even if they do hold off the other teams I don't think they'll get past the first round unless they finish 6th and play a Southeast team.

[Shifty]

Flyers Deal Vandermeer to Flames.
Wednesday, 20 February 2008 17:38

Various sources reports the Philadelphia Flyers have dealt defenceman Jim Vandermeer to the Calgary Flames for a third round pick in 2009.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: My thanks to everyone who sent this in. Analysis shortly on my blog.

Philly trying to make some cap space to make way for another big deal?
Dan Boyle?

[Dark Donnie]

Flyers Deal Vandermeer to Flames.
Wednesday, 20 February 2008 17:38

Various sources reports the Philadelphia Flyers have dealt defenceman Jim Vandermeer to the Calgary Flames for a third round pick in 2009.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: My thanks to everyone who sent this in. Analysis shortly on my blog.

Philly trying to make some cap space to make way for another big deal?
Dan Boyle?

I saw this.....Thank God!! Vandermeer has been atrocious.

I hope the Flyers don't go after Boyle he wants a 6 year deal.

We made an attempt at Kaberle, and thought we were close, but ultimately Kaberle decided against it(NTC).

Also:
Gagne is done for the year

Simon Gagne-W-Flyers Feb. 20 - 7:39 pm et

Simon Gagne is done for the season after seeing concussion specialist James Kelly in Denver.

Gagne has plagued with concussions throughout this campaign and it was advised that he pack it in for the rest of the year to recover. Find a replacement for the talented winger as soon as you can.
Source: TSN.ca

[War Party]

Yeah, the Flyers offered Carter for Kaberle. And they're prepared to give the Lightening Nitty and a 1st. round pick for Boyle. And the Flyers are prepared to offer Boyle a contract if they acquire him.

[Johnny Blaze]

The Bolts would be stupid to get rid of Boyle.
They need to re-sign him and move Richards in the off-season. Get the best they can for Brad, and then use the cap room to sign Huet.

[Dark Donnie]

I would take Kaberle in a heartbeat over Boyle....Boyle is older, plus Kaberle is a better Dman and has a much better contract.

[Shifty]

Kaberle isn't moving, he must love the country club feel the players get in Toronto.

[Showtime]

http://multimedia.thestar.com/images/ed/f6/f1ff3e754f718e278b1f5c3ad902.jpeg

http://multimedia.thestar.com/images/ed/f6/f1ff3e754f718e278b1f5c3ad902.jpeg

Now a group of influential NHL players that includes New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, Dallas's Marty Turco, Detroit's Dominik Hasek and Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson want the league's – and inevitably the Leafs' – uniforms altered again. In what would be a radical overhaul that might incite hockey traditionalists but surely gratify some of the league's cash-strapped owners, several NHL goalies have asked the league and its players union to consider starting a so-called Goaltender's Club. Revenue-generating initiatives for the club could include placing a corporate logo on the jerseys of the league's 60-odd goalies.

The players are working alongside prominent hockey marketer Brad Robins and Edmonton player agent Ritch Winter. Robins and Winter estimate on-uniform ads might generate upwards of $30 million a season for the NHL. Robins has already briefed Gary Bettman on the concept, though it's uncertain whether the NHL commissioner has endorsed the idea. A copy of the goaltender's club proposal, obtained by the Star, shows corporate presence on a jersey could range from subtle to more invasive.

One proposal shows Roloson's blue and orange team jersey with a small Rexall logo above the Oilers symbol. The drugstore chain's symbol could also be "sublimated (dyed right into the fabric) on a portion of the sleeve." A second proposal depicts Brodeur's Red Devils jersey. The team's NJ on the chest is positioned above a large tag for the bank UBS and adjacent to an RBC logo. Bank Morgan Stanley's symbol could be featured on the goalie's sleeves and shoulders.

A third proposal shows Detroit goalie Hasek's red jersey, again with the Red Wings' logo front and centre above the larger symbol of insurance company AIG. The company's logo could also be displayed on the sleeves and on the bottom of the jersey's back. The presentation also suggests goalies be allowed to choose the jersey's colour and depicts Hasek's in black, blue, green and white styles.

[Dark Donnie]

Yeah, the Flyers offered Carter for Kaberle. And they're prepared to give the Lightening Nitty and a 1st. round pick for Boyle. And the Flyers are prepared to offer Boyle a contract if they acquire him.

The Kaberle trade was actually with Umberger, not Carter

Rumor

Hossa To Boston

For
Kessel
Schaeffer
1st rd 2008
2nd rd 2009

[Steve Rogers]

The Kaberle trade was actually with Umberger, not Carter

Rumor

Hossa To Boston

For
Kessel
Schaeffer
1st rd 2008
2nd rd 2009I could live with that. I figured they would make a trade to ensure a playoff spot. The Patriots can loose every Super Bowl they play in from now till the end of time, just give me a good Bruins team.

[Dark Donnie]

Nothing definate, just one of the many Hossa rumours today

[Shifty]

http://multimedia.thestar.com/images/ed/f6/f1ff3e754f718e278b1f5c3ad902.jpeg

http://multimedia.thestar.com/images/ed/f6/f1ff3e754f718e278b1f5c3ad902.jpeg

Now a group of influential NHL players that includes New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, Dallas's Marty Turco, Detroit's Dominik Hasek and Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson want the league's – and inevitably the Leafs' – uniforms altered again. In what would be a radical overhaul that might incite hockey traditionalists but surely gratify some of the league's cash-strapped owners, several NHL goalies have asked the league and its players union to consider starting a so-called Goaltender's Club. Revenue-generating initiatives for the club could include placing a corporate logo on the jerseys of the league's 60-odd goalies.

The players are working alongside prominent hockey marketer Brad Robins and Edmonton player agent Ritch Winter. Robins and Winter estimate on-uniform ads might generate upwards of $30 million a season for the NHL. Robins has already briefed Gary Bettman on the concept, though it's uncertain whether the NHL commissioner has endorsed the idea. A copy of the goaltender's club proposal, obtained by the Star, shows corporate presence on a jersey could range from subtle to more invasive.

One proposal shows Roloson's blue and orange team jersey with a small Rexall logo above the Oilers symbol. The drugstore chain's symbol could also be "sublimated (dyed right into the fabric) on a portion of the sleeve." A second proposal depicts Brodeur's Red Devils jersey. The team's NJ on the chest is positioned above a large tag for the bank UBS and adjacent to an RBC logo. Bank Morgan Stanley's symbol could be featured on the goalie's sleeves and shoulders.

A third proposal shows Detroit goalie Hasek's red jersey, again with the Red Wings' logo front and centre above the larger symbol of insurance company AIG. The company's logo could also be displayed on the sleeves and on the bottom of the jersey's back. The presentation also suggests goalies be allowed to choose the jersey's colour and depicts Hasek's in black, blue, green and white styles.

:down

At least drop the Panasonic.

The Kaberle trade was actually with Umberger, not Carter

Rumor

Hossa To Boston

For
Kessel
Schaeffer
1st rd 2008
2nd rd 2009

Boston better have assurances that they can sign Hossa to a deal otherwise it would rank up there with the Joe Thornton trade.

[Dark Donnie]

Boston better have assurances that they can sign Hossa to a deal otherwise it would rank up there with the Joe Thornton trade.

I think that is #1 on all the teams minds.

Montreal was rumoured to be involved in a trade as well

Flyers are also taking a look at both Tanguay and Brad Richards.

[Immortalfire]

Nothing definate, just one of the many Hossa rumours today

There's plenty to go around.

[Steve Rogers]

Nothing definate, just one of the many Hossa rumours today
Yeah, I've been checking the Bruins' website all day. There's absolutely no mention of this. If they were at least in talks, I think the site might report something.

[Dark Donnie]

I just copy and paste them from the one site I frequent, that guy Eklund(hockeybuzz) said the trade had "legs" but hes not really reliable.

[Fran]

Donnie - anything heard on the Wings?

[Eric Draven]

I just copy and paste them from the one site I frequent, that guy Eklund(hockeybuzz) said the trade had "legs" but hes not really reliable.

That's an understatement. Whenever Eklund says something will happen, it's probably just the total opposite

[Dark Donnie]

Donnie - anything heard on the Wings?

There was talks of them signing Darren McCarthy. Also bringing back Federov, but something with him and Ottawa might be in the works. Other then that I've heard there in the market for a power forward and a defenseman.

[War Party]

The Kaberle trade was actually with Umberger, not Carter

Where did you read that? I read Carter. I know it doesn't matter anymore, since he ain't going anywhere, I'm just curious.

[Dark Donnie]

Where did you read that? I read Carter. I know it doesn't matter anymore, since he ain't going anywhere, I'm just curious.

Guy that covers the Flyers for the Delco Times, said it was Umberger Coburn/Parent and a pick.

Homer said he won't trade Carter, but you never know I guess.

[War Party]

Guy that covers the Flyers for the Delco Times, said it was Umberger Coburn/Parent and a pick.

Homer said he won't trade Carter, but you never know I guess.

Oh ok. Honestly, I rather keep Umberger than Carter. I think they get more out of him than Carter. Plus, Carter can't hit the net.

[Fran]

There was talks of them signing Darren McCarthy. Also bringing back Federov, but something with him and Ottawa might be in the works. Other then that I've heard there in the market for a power forward and a defenseman.

They are going to sign Darren McCarty again (which I love), and I'd like to see Federov back again.

[Steve Rogers]

Gotta love McCarty :up:

[Shifty]

Thrashers won't extend Hossa's contract
Last Updated: Saturday, February 23, 2008 | 3:25 PM ET
CBC Sports

Thrashers general manager Don Waddell informed forward Marian Hossa that the team won't offer him a contract before Tuesday's trade deadline, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Waddell spoke to Hossa on Saturday before Thrashers-Maple Leafs' game (CBC, 7 p.m. ET), and officially ended any hope of signing Hossa.

"No, I don't believe so at this point," said Waddell, when asked if signing Hossa before the trade deadline was a possibility. "We're going to look at all our options at this point, look at what the market will pay."

Both Hossa and Waddell described the meeting as a positive one.

"Me and Don have had a great relationship since the beginning, since I came here," Hossa said. "He was always great to me."

Hossa is due to become a free agent on July 1.


Well one team will be moving their UFA while another won't...


Sundin firm on staying with the Leafs
Last Updated: Saturday, February 23, 2008 | 1:32 PM ET
CBC Sports

Mats Sundin has been asked by the Maple Leafs to waive the no-trade clause in his contract, but the Toronto captain said on Saturday that he remains adamant about staying with the organization.

Sundin, who becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, spoke to reporters after Saturday morning's skate, and admitted interim general manager Cliff Fletcher asked his permission to waive his no-trade clause.

Despite being asked to waive his no-trade clause, Mats Sundin wants to remain with the Leafs.Despite being asked to waive his no-trade clause, Mats Sundin wants to remain with the Leafs.
(Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

While his consent would allow the team an opportunity to pursue a trade before Tuesday's 3 p.m. ET deadline, Sundin stood firm on his decision to refuse a move at this point.

''The Leafs gave me a chance to think about it and all that, but as I said, my position hasn't changed since the start of the year," he said.

''I have to do what feels right in my heart. I just don't think I can go to another team if I don't want to play for another team. That wouldn't be right to myself. That's how I feel right now.''

On Friday, Sundin missed the morning practice due to what a team spokesman described as flu-like symptoms, fuelling speculations that a trade could be in the works.

The talk only intensified when it was reported later that Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher had a meeting with Sundin on Thursday and his agent, J.P. Barry, the following day to discuss the captain's future with the club.

"Yes, I had a meeting with Mats [Thursday] and I met with his agent J.P. Barry [Friday]," Fletcher told the Canadian Press.

"And, yes, I met with Bryan McCabe this morning. But at this point, that's all I'm going to say. The process is ongoing."

Sundin and the Leafs host the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday (CBC, 7 p.m. ET) at the Air Canada Centre.


The Leafs shouldn't resign him. If anything they can trade away negotiation rights before the draft but they would be better off spending money on a younger UFA. He doesn't want to help the team and possibly win a Cup for the team he wants and his not open to being traded at all then he's better off not being signed.

[Immortalfire]

Thrashers won't extend Hossa's contract
:csad:

[NewYorkSpider]

Flyers lose again. :csad:

[Showtime]

Bruins beat Tampa. Great road trip.

[Fran]

We're losing over 3,600 games of experience at the blue line tonight due to injuries.

[E. Nygma]

10 straight losses

Injuries a plenty, including Mike Richards who's out 3 weeks now. This team still has enough time to catch up to say even the 5 or 4 seed in the East. But right now they need to get healthy and start playing smart hockey. I dont know why there is no chemistry there anymore, i dont know why the defensemen suddenly got slow and suck, i dont know why the coaching has suddenly been terrible. But there is enough time to fix it.

[Shifty]

Sources tell TSN the Tampa Bay Lightning have reached out to star forward Brad Richards and have alerted him to their interest in trading him.

It's believed the Vancouver Canucks, Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets are the most active in the hunt, although according to source, Richards isn't expected to be given the list until later Sunday night.

His decision on whether to clear the way for trade is expected either Sunday night or Monday, at which point Lightning general manager Jay Feaster will take his offers to ownership for a final decision.

Richards, who signed a five-year, $39 million contract in 2006, has 18 goals and 50 points in 61 games this season.

In 551 career NHL games, the 27-year-old centre has 150 goals and is the Lightning's career assists leader with 338. He had a career-high 91 points in 2005-06. Richards, considered one of the premier playmakers in the NHL, will earn $7.8 million in each of the next three seasons.

Well clearly Dallas would seem like the obvious choice but Vancouver wouldn't be that bad and perhaps Rick Nash would be enough to lure him to Columbus. There was the Turco for St.Louis rumour but could Richards replace Marty?

Less than 48 hours until the deadline. Surprised there has been no trades the past few days.

[Johnny Blaze]

Bruins beat Tampa. Great road trip.

Yeah, but everyone beats Tampa Bay. It's really not that hard to do. :o

[Immortalfire]

I watched The Mighty Ducks the other night, I had forgotten that Mike Modano has a cameo in it. Back when the Stars were still in Minneapolis.

[Johnny Blaze]

I watched The Mighty Ducks the other night, I had forgotten that Mike Modano has a cameo in it. Back when the Stars were still in Minneapolis.

Good old Mike Modano. Still one of my favorite players of all time, though he's no longer half as good as he used to be. Sucks getting old. :o :(

[E. Nygma]

I watched The Mighty Ducks the other night, I had forgotten that Mike Modano has a cameo in it. Back when the Stars were still in Minneapolis.

and Paul Kariya is in the 3rd one!