The 2008 NHL Offseason Thread

[roland.g]

Adios Devils....
So after about 9:30 tonight: adios B's? The way MTL looked last game (from seeing highlights, dam NESN +) they looks awful. Tonight they are going to come out strong and i don't think 90 year old Glen Murray can keep up. I will be shocked if this goes to a game 7

you=shocked.

Yeah Avs, way to be strong. Great goaltending, players gaining confidence. Forsberg made some great moves last night. We won the series without any real offensive outbursts, just gritty hard work and timing against a team that doesn't give you much. Against a Dallas, Detroit, San Jose or Calgary, things should be a little different. This was a really tough series b/c of the Wild's defensive system. With Theodore playing as well as he is, this team can make a real run. Should make a for a great 2nd round. We'll have an extra day or two of rest over the other 3 teams, but not too long a break to be rusty.

 

[stomer]

That's dedication right there. Glad you enjoyed the game and I hope you can watch a few more today.

Hopefully the NASN over here will broadcast game 7, if they do I'll make the sacrifice and stay up late again It's well worth it.

 

[Surely]

I don't think anybody saw this coming.

The Habs have a really good team, there is no reason for this collapse.

Let's hope they finally end the B's dreams.

I loves me some HNIC feed on VS. The Wild seem to be playing on their heels. 1-0 Avs in the 1st.

Avs win 2-1. Win Series 4-2

Can you imagine if the Bruins pull off the win in game 7? It really can happen- all they need is a solid game from Thomas. What a shock that would be, and it would totally change the expected outlook on the East.

Good for the Avs, I'd like to see them go far. How can you not want to see Sakic do well? That guy is awesome. I'm doubtful that Theadore is capable of playing consistently enough though. He's playing well now though, so hopefully he can keep that up for them.

I could never get behind the Minnesota Wild. I think it's their name and their logo- too expansion-ey for me. For some reason, I seem to forget that they have a team again. Too bad they couldn't go with the North Stars name. Great name, great logo.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

Can you imagine if the Bruins pull off the win in game 7? It really can happen- all they need is a solid game from Thomas. What a shock that would be, and it would totally change the expected outlook on the East.

Good for the Avs, I'd like to see them go far. How can you not want to see Sakic do well? That guy is awesome. I'm doubtful that Theadore is capable of playing consistently enough though. He's playing well now though, so hopefully he can keep that up for them.

I could never get behind the Minnesota Wild. I think it's their name and their logo- too expansion-ey for me. For some reason, I seem to forget that they have a team again. Too bad they couldn't go with the North Stars name. Great name, great logo.

That would be one of the greatest upsets (note: I'm not saying it is, I'm saying it can or would be) in the playoffs. The East would be radically changed.

I just wanted to see the Wild advance. They have an up and coming team and should be contenders from here on out. You are right though, they do have some bad jerseys. North Stars was a solid name and logo.

Speaking of expansion, I would like to see a team back in Canada and perhaps another one somewhere in the states.

 

[Surely]

That would be one of the greatest upsets (note: I'm not saying it is, I'm saying it can or would be) in the playoffs. The East would be radically changed.

I just wanted to see the Wild advance. They have an up and coming team and should be contenders from here on out. You are right though, they do have some bad jerseys. North Stars was a solid name and logo.

Speaking of expansion, I would like to see a team back in Canada and perhaps another one somewhere in the states.

There should be at least two more in Canada- one in Winnipeg and one in Hamilton. Where in the US are you thinking? Is KC or Vegas really viable locations? I have my doubts. Seattle?

Minnesota deserves a good team. They should have some success in the next few years. That team was built well. And it's a great hockey market. Bring back the N*

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

There should be at least two more in Canada- one in Winnipeg and one in Hamilton. Where in the US are you thinking? Is KC or Vegas really viable locations? I have my doubts. Seattle?

Minnesota deserves a good team. They should have some success in the next few years. That team was built well. And it's a great hockey market. Bring back the N*

I agree with the Canada sentiments. I'm still kinda shocked that the NHL pulled out of Winnipeg and Quebec (Viva Le Nordiques!)

KC is out of the question (though that's where the Islanders would probably move to if the Lighthouse project falls apart). Las Vegas wouldn't work IMHO. Seattle might be a viable market. Texas could probably support another hockey team (2 baseball and 3 basketball). Hartford deserves their Whalers back.

Minnesota definitely is a great market for hockey, again I'm shocked that the NHL pulled out of their to move to Dallas, TX.

I hereby decree that the Wild will now be mentioned as the North Stars or N*. All those in favor...

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

Forgot to mention that the Red Wings, with Osgood in net, polished off the Preds today 3-0.

Detroit manages to advance

The Sharks and Stars also have a chance tonight to close out their respective series.

 

[Surely]

I agree with the Canada sentiments. I'm still kinda shocked that the NHL pulled out of Winnipeg and Quebec (Viva Le Nordiques!)

KC is out of the question (though that's where the Islanders would probably move to if the Lighthouse project falls apart). Las Vegas wouldn't work IMHO. Seattle might be a viable market. Texas could probably support another hockey team (2 baseball and 3 basketball). Hartford deserves their Whalers back.

Minnesota definitely is a great market for hockey, again I'm shocked that the NHL pulled out of their to move to Dallas, TX.

I hereby decree that the Wild will now be mentioned as the North Stars or N*. All those in favor...

Aye.

It's too bad they didn't/couldn't keep that name. It would have been a cool rivalry: The Stars vs. The North Stars. If there can be two Roughriders in the CFL (well, not right now, but the Ottawa franchise is returning for 2009), then why can't the NHL have two similarly named teams?

I guess Seattle, but do they really care, or would they just be trying to replace their lost NBA team? I agree about KC and Vegas. And The Whale should rise again. Awesome logo.

Forgot to mention that the Red Wings, with Osgood in net, polished off the Preds today 3-0.

Detroit manages to advance

The Sharks and Stars also have a chance tonight to close out their respective series.

Good for Osgood. I was able to see the end of the game, he was solid. Nice to hear Pierre McGuire (sp?) doing color commentary on NBC.

It looks like the Ducks/Stars game will be on here, but I don't think the Sharks/Flames game will be on here. Two California teams, and I can only watch one.....
Go Flames....

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

Aye.

It's too bad they didn't/couldn't keep that name. It would have been a cool rivalry: The Stars vs. The North Stars. If there can be two Roughriders in the CFL (well, not right now, but the Ottawa franchise is returning for 2009), then why can't the NHL have two similarly named teams?

I guess Seattle, but do they really care, or would they just be trying to replace their lost NBA team? I agree about KC and Vegas. And The Whale should rise again. Awesome logo.

Good for Osgood. I was able to see the end of the game, he was solid. Nice to hear Pierre McGuire (sp?) doing color commentary on NBC.

It looks like the Ducks/Stars game will be on here, but I don't think the Sharks/Flames game will be on here. Two California teams, and I can only watch one.....
Go Flames....

That definitely would've been a cool rivalry. I'll have to write a letter to the NHL...

I don't think Seattle would care. They have their Seahawks (Football Americano) and Mariners (Baseball). They are missing the hockey franchise, but can they support it? Doubtful.

A friend of mine is from Connecticut and he was (is) a Whalers fan. He's got a jersey and rocks it whenever we go to an Islanders game. People always stop us (well him) and say holy s*** it's the Whale. Truly a shame, I hope we see that team rise again. And it can't go by a different name, Whalers or nothing.

Jeez surely, maybe we should be coaches in the NHL

I hate that tomorrow night that the B's/Habs game wont be on Versus. Totally the better game to be watching.

Rooting for whatever is left of the Canadian teams eh? I think the Sharks will close it out and I'd like to see the Stars finish off the Ducks tonight as well.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

Yet another series going 7 games. Flames hold off the bite of the Sharks D) 2-0. Series tied 3-3. Back to the Shark Tank for the decisive game.

As of this post, the Stars lead the Ducks 2-1 with 17 min left in the 3rd period.

 

[Lancetx]

Finally, the Stars advance beyond the first round! It's been a long time coming, and what a great 3rd period to cap off the series.

 

[Surely]

Jeez surely, maybe we should be coaches in the NHL

I hate that tomorrow night that the B's/Habs game wont be on Versus. Totally the better game to be watching.

Rooting for whatever is left of the Canadian teams eh? I think the Sharks will close it out and I'd like to see the Stars finish off the Ducks tonight as well.

Nah, I think I'd be a better GM- as long as I had a good capologist to help me out.

What are they showing on Versus tomorrow then? Game 6 of Wash/Phi? That's too bad. Well, I'm still holding out hope- my guide still says TBA for 4pm PST tomorrow.

I gotta root for the Canadian team man. That is... except for Ottawa. I was cheering for the Ducks during last year's final. Could you imagine? Cheering for the Ducks? Yuck.

Finally, the Stars advance beyond the first round! It's been a long time coming, and what a great 3rd period to cap off the series.

Hell yeah. Good for them for taking out the champs. Didn't seem like it was too difficult for them either. The Stars are solid. Good for Turco to get that monkey off his back. Oh, and that helps me out too- it makes it more possible for Burke to leave Anaheim and come to Toronto. The rumors will be crazy in Toronto..... I'm looking forward to listening to Hockeycentral tomorrow.

Should we refer to Dallas as S*?

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

Finally, the Stars advance beyond the first round! It's been a long time coming, and what a great 3rd period to cap off the series.

4 unanswered goals. Huzzah.

Finally! A pick that I was dead on balls accurate about!

Bonus points if anyone can guess the movie I just semi-quoted.

Nah, I think I'd be a better GM- as long as I had a good capologist to help me out.

What are they showing on Versus tomorrow then? Game 6 of Wash/Phi? That's too bad. Well, I'm still holding out hope- my guide still says TBA for 4pm PST tomorrow.

I gotta root for the Canadian team man. That is... except for Ottawa. I was cheering for the Ducks during last year's final. Could you imagine? Cheering for the Ducks? Yuck.

Hell yeah. Good for them for taking out the champs. Didn't seem like it was too difficult for them either. The Stars are solid. Good for Turco to get that monkey off his back. Oh, and that helps me out too- it makes it more possible for Burke to leave Anaheim and come to Toronto. The rumors will be crazy in Toronto..... I'm looking forward to listening to Hockeycentral tomorrow.

Should we refer to Dallas as S*?

I'd be a better GM myself. But come on after that call with Ozzie, we can't go wrong!

They are showing Caps/Flyers simply because it's AO. Don't get me wrong it's a great series, but we're talking about a Game 7 here. I loves me some Game 7 hockey.

I refuse to cheer for the Leafs (sorry, blame the '02 playoffs). I didn't really care for last year's final. A bit boring for my taste.

D* v N*?

 

[roland.g]

Well I would like to see the Flames finish off the Sharks in Game 7, setting up a 2nd round out west of the Avs v Stars and Flames v Wings with a conference finals Flames/Wings v Avs. Either that or Avs v Wings and Stars v Sharks with a conference finals of Avs v Stars. Renew some of those old Avs Stars and Avs Wings rivalries.

Out east I would like to see a Bs upset, gotta root for the underdog. But that sets up B's v Pens and either Caps/Flyers v Rangers 2nd round. Still so much up in the air out East though with the 1/8 and 3/6 seed series to be decided. The Rangers and Pens have no idea who they could be playing.

If Bs and Caps prevail:
Bs v Pens
Rangers v Caps

If Bs and Flyers prevail:
Bs v Pens
Flyers v Rangers

If Habs and Caps prevail:
Rangers v Habs
Caps v Pens

If Habs and Flyers prevail:
Flyers v Habs
Rangers v Pens

 

[thegman1234]

...People always stop us (well him) and say holy s*** it's the Whale. Truly a shame, I hope we see that team rise again. And it can't go by a different name, Whalers or nothing.

Jeez surely, maybe we should be coaches in the NHL

I hate that tomorrow night that the B's/Habs game wont be on Versus. Totally the better game to be watching....

I would like to see the Whalers come back as well, that would be nice. Sorry Caniacs but I hate the Hurricanes. However that may mean relocation of the Wolfpack.

"...Now Hartford, the Whale? Hell they only play Vancouver once, maybe twice in a lifetime."

...Quebec (Viva Le Nordiques!)

I'm trying to buy a Nordiques jersey lol. I found one, now I just need the money haha.

I think the B's and Habs ARE on VS tonight, just not in our market... which doesn't do us any good if we wanna watch them lol.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

I would like to see the Whalers come back as well, that would be nice. Sorry Caniacs but I hate the Hurricanes. However that may mean relocation of the Wolfpack.

"...Now Hartford, the Whale? Hell they only play Vancouver once, maybe twice in a lifetime."

I'm trying to buy a Nordiques jersey lol. I found one, now I just need the money haha.

I think the B's and Habs ARE on VS tonight, just not in our market... which doesn't do us any good if we wanna watch them lol.

@roland.g - the East is absolutely crazy. It all can be finalized tonight, or not.

How could you not want to see The Whale™ comeback? Glorious.

The Wolfpack can get their own place. Come on now.

I have a Nordiques puck. There is a guy at the Coliseum (he might be a season ticket holder) who has a Forsberg Nordiques jersey. It's way too cool.

They are CBC, which will be fed to VS not in our market. What an atrocity.

 

[roland.g]

I have a Forsberg Nordiques rookie jersey.
But the reason for that is fairly obvious.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

I have a Forsberg Nordiques rookie jersey.
But the reason for that is fairly obvious.

Clearly. Do you rock that at the games or does that stay at home?

I would totally try to get that thing signed and then frame it.

 

[roland.g]

Clearly. Do you rock that at the games or does that stay at home?

I would totally try to get that thing signed and then frame it.

Haven't the opportunity to get it signed yet.
I have an Avs dark replica Forsberg jersey.
The Nordiques is white.

I wear one and my wife usually wears one, and we tend to trade off. But if I go on my own, I wear the Avs one. Not to mention the white is scary with food. I try to keep the stuff clean. I also have a Forsberg yellow Swedish jersey, but it is one of the newer ones - it was a gift, and I don't really like it, so I am still trying to get the correct one.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

Haven't the opportunity to get it signed yet.
I have an Avs dark replica Forsberg jersey.
The Nordiques is white.

I wear one and my wife usually wears one, and we tend to trade off. But if I go on my own, I wear the Avs one. Not to mention the white is scary with food. I try to keep the stuff clean. I also have a Forsberg yellow Swedish jersey, but it is one of the newer ones - it was a gift, and I don't really like it, so I am still trying to get the correct one.

Oooooo nice. I certainly wouldn't want to get anything on that white jersey. Not feeling the never Swedish jersey. Old one FTW.

I got my hands on this guy in December:

The 1972 Soviet National Team Jersey. Also got a USA (new) jersey, but I wanna get the 1980s one.

 

[roland.g]

Oooooo nice. I certainly wouldn't want to get anything on that white jersey. Not feeling the never Swedish jersey. Old one FTW.

I got my hands on this guy in December:

The 1972 Soviet National Team Jersey. Also got a USA (new) jersey, but I wanna get the 1980s one.

thats oldskewl.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

thats oldskewl.

Pretty much gnarly.

I got some news about that letter I wrote. It manged to get it's way up to Chris Dey, Senior Vice President. My ticket broker (he's the head of all ticket sales) talked to me about it and essentially said thanks for sending this in, I appreciate the feedback, you make some really good points blah blah blah. He was fairly blunt and direct with me, which is good a thing.

 

[Surely]

Yes guy!

Guess what I'll be watching on Versus today? It involves a number 7 and not a 6......

Looks like I'll be able to watch after all. Go Habs.....

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

Yes guy!

Guess what I'll be watching on Versus today? It involves a number 7 and not a 6......

Looks like I'll be able to watch after all. Go Habs.....

I. Hate. You.

 

[roland.g]

I don't think 4pm technically counts as night.