The 2008 NHL Offseason Thread

[robo]

i have a feeling the flyers were tired for the 1st game. They'll bring it harder next game.

I can't believe how many chances mtl missed....2 posts, breakaway chance and the penalty shot.

should be a great series.

Go HABS Go!

I didn't think the Flyers looked tired at allAnd believe me THEY will bring next game Biron was pretty solid in net. Two questionable callsresulted in Hab's goals

Peace

 

[roland.g]

a 4-1 hole was bad. we were slow to pucks and looked all around beaten. 2 or 3 of the 4 goals we hung theo out to dry, no fault of his. didn't come to play. considering the early play, no forsberg, loss of wolski, coming back to 4-3 in the 2nd and hitting a post in the 3rd as well as a glorious chance with 8 secs to go, it would have been nice to see OT, but it was something to really build on given the early collapse. if we can steal game to and get the split I really like our chances. be nice to get forsberg and wolski back too.

 

[Surely]

The Flyers blew it. They just had to secure a face-off and they'd have won, anyway, I'm not complaining.

I read on L'Equipe this morning that Washington has allowed Huet to play for France during the World Championship which will be played between the 2nd and 18th of May. I've a few questions regarding this: Does the World Championship receive much interest in north America? And why do the organisers choose to start the championship before the playoffs have ended? Wouldn't it be more sensible to start them once the NHL playoffs have finished?

The World Championship receives less coverage than the NHL in the U.S. So, that means it receives no coverage at all in the U.S. (unless Team USA wins, and then it will be a 10 second story at the end of Sportscenter). Casual hockey fans in the U.S. probably don't even know there is a tournament going on.

In Canada, it's a different story. I wouldn't say that it receives top coverage (the Stanley Cup Playoffs are going on after all), but interest is there for it. For example, yesterday Team Canada announced that Spezza and Heatley would be on the team, and that was a top headline. We're very interested in just about anything that Team Canada does, and any tournament they're in, men's or women's. Now, most casual hockey fans in Canada probably don't know it's going on either, but I'd say a good amount do know it's going on.

Hard-core fans in both countries are a different story- probably more of the hard-cores in Canada are aware of the tournament than the U.S. hard-cores, but that could very much be attributed to the better media coverage in Canada, and the importance of Hockey Canada to Canadians.

Anyone agree/disagree?

a 4-1 hole was bad. we were slow to pucks and looked all around beaten. 2 or 3 of the 4 goals we hung theo out to dry, no fault of his. didn't come to play. considering the early play, no forsberg, loss of wolski, coming back to 4-3 in the 2nd and hitting a post in the 3rd as well as a glorious chance with 8 secs to go, it would have been nice to see OT, but it was something to really build on given the early collapse. if we can steal game to and get the split I really like our chances. be nice to get forsberg and wolski back too.

Also, the Versus announcers said that Theadore was sick, and that he left the building after the first period. If he was sick, he shouldn't have played at all. If he was sick, why expose him to the rest of the team and risk others catching it? You don't play a sick goalie against the Red Wings. Bad coaching decision to play him and have him around the team.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

<snippage World Championships>

Also, the Versus announcers said that Theadore was sick, and that he left the building after the first period. If he was sick, he shouldn't have played at all. If he was sick, why expose him to the rest of the team and risk others catching it? You don't play a sick goalie against the Red Wings. Bad coaching decision to play him and have him around the team.

I knew it was going on, but The Playoffs take a much greater importance right now.

But I'll agree with you, especially with that ESPN comment.

Agreed again. You don't play a sick goalie and jeopardize your team's chances to win.

 

[Surely]

I knew it was going on, but The Playoffs take a much greater importance right now.

But I'll agree with you, especially with that ESPN comment.

Agreed again. You don't play a sick goalie and jeopardize your team's chances to win.

You knew it was going on because you fall into that hard-core classification. And the playoffs are way higher in importance, for sure. Agreed.

It was a bad decision for another reason: what does that say about their confidence in Budaj? They would rather play a sick Theadore than a heathly and capable Budaj- that will do wonders for his confidence, eh? I hope they didn't screw themselves for the whole series because of this one decision. Theadore has to come back and be really sharp.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

You knew it was going on because you fall into that hard-core classification. And the playoffs are way higher in importance, for sure. Agreed.

It was a bad decision for another reason: what does that say about their confidence in Budaj? They would rather play a sick Theadore than a heathly and capable Budaj- that will do wonders for his confidence, eh? I hope they didn't screw themselves for the whole series because of this one decision. Theadore has to come back and be really sharp.

Honorary Canadian™ .

I'll second that motion. I don't know how good Budaj is, but clearly he should've been starting or at least replacing Theodore last night. The case can be made that it would shake his confidence (Budaj). Theordore is either gonna have to man up or take a day or 2 to get back to 100%. There is no room for error in the playoffs, one wrong move and you're gonna pay.

 

[Surely]

Honoray Canadian™ .

I'll second that motion. I don't know how good Budaj is, but clearly he should've been starting or at least replacing Theodore last night. The case can be made that it would shake his confidence (Budaj). Theordore is either gonna have to man up or take a day or 2 to get back to 100%. There is no room for error in the playoffs, one wrong move and you're gonna pay.

You're trademarking it? Typical American, always trying to make a buck...

Budaj replaced Theodore, and played solidly for the 2nd and 3rd periods last night, stopping all 20 shots he faced. Theadore let the 4 Detroit goals in during the 1st.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

You're trademarking it? Typical American, always trying to make a buck...

Budaj replaced Theodore, and played solidly for the 2nd and 3rd periods last night, stopping all 20 shots he faced. Theadore let the 4 Detroit goals in during the 1st.

I do have an BBA in Management or as I like to call it BS.

Wow, I must've not been paying attention.

<- Fail

 

[dernhelm]

You're trademarking it? Typical American, always trying to make a buck...

He spelled it wrong too. Is that typical American, or just typical computer geek?

The Wings played great for 1 period. Thankfully it's all they needed to beat the Avs. Now all we need is for McCarty to score the game-winner in game 2...

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

He spelled it wrong too. Is that typical American, or just typical computer geek?

I'm at work, IE doesn't have spell check and I'm a typical computer geek.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

The Islanders are running a promotion called the 2 year loyalty program (season tickets). You get 12.5% off the first year and full price the following with free VIP parking for the 2 years.

My ticket guy called me to offer my single seat for the entire season for $630 and I can add a friend for the same price. Sweet. I asked if we can do the 2 year deal with the $630 seats and he said yes.

You're now looking at the newest Islanders Season Ticket Holder. It works out to $85/mo for 14 months per seat.

How friggin redonkulous is that!?!?!?!?

 

[Surely]

The Islanders are running a promotion called the 2 year loyalty program (season tickets). You get 12.5% off the first year and full price the following with free VIP parking for the 2 years.

My ticket guy called me to offer my single seat for the entire season for $630 and I can add a friend for the same price. Sweet. I asked if we can do the 2 year deal with the $630 seats and he said yes.

You're now looking at the newest Islanders Season Ticket Holder. It works out to $85/mo for 14 months per seat.

How friggin redonkulous is that!?!?!?!?

That's awesome. Great price. What are the seats like?

That would pretty much cover the cost of going to one Leafs game in the lower bowl at Air Canada Centre.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

That's awesome. Great price. What are the seats like?

That would pretty much cover the cost of going to one Leafs game in the lower bowl at Air Canada Centre.

Insane price. The seats are where my 14 game package was (btw that cost me $614 + parking) It's on the goal line where the Isles shoot twice. I have a clear shot of the entire ice so I can see the play develop.

LMAO! I don't doubt it.

 

[Surely]

Should be some good hockey this afternoon/tonight (depending on your time zone...).

The Pens/NYR game is about to face-off. I think it'll be a rough one. Roberts would have been helpful for game 1.
I see that Sydney's got a nice playoff pubes-beard going on......

 

[2A Batterie]

Should be some good hockey this afternoon/tonight (depending on your time zone...).

The Pens/NYR game is about to face-off. I think it'll be a rough one. Roberts would have been helpful for game 1.
I see that Sydney's got a nice playoff pubes-beard going on......

Looks like dirt.

Agggh... Pens down early. Blame it on the lack of playoff beard on Crosby.

 

[2A Batterie]

I spoke too soon! Back to back Pens goals!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Keebler]

I didn't think the Flyers looked tired at allAnd believe me THEY will bring next game Biron was pretty solid in net. Two questionable callsresulted in Hab's goals

Peace

i didn't think they were questionable calls. the puck made contact with Kovalev's stick underneath the crossbar. the tripping call was valid. I think richards is a great player, but he didn't even try to get the puck...he totally tripped Kovalev.

That said, I don't agree with calling it then b/c they weren't calling half the crap they should. ref'ing has been so inconsistent. very disappointing.

btw, if they weren't tired, then mtl is winning this series in 5 or 6. they outchanced the flyers.

i have to admit, it will be neat watching games 3 and 4 b/c the philly fans have been bringing it. neat to watch arenas explode like that.

 

[Keebler]

The Islanders are running a promotion called the 2 year loyalty program (season tickets). You get 12.5% off the first year and full price the following with free VIP parking for the 2 years.

My ticket guy called me to offer my single seat for the entire season for $630 and I can add a friend for the same price. Sweet. I asked if we can do the 2 year deal with the $630 seats and he said yes.

You're now looking at the newest Islanders Season Ticket Holder. It works out to $85/mo for 14 months per seat.

How friggin redonkulous is that!?!?!?!?

good for you. great deal.

i wonder about deals like this and the ones I heard Buffalo making 2 years ago. i wonder how the teams make money b/c they were giving away seats. i guess it's alot of corporate seats being bought.

i know the sens playoff tickets were very expensive this year compared to last. didn't last long and that probably saves pocketbooks for some folks

 

[Lancetx]

Great night from Marty Turco as the Stars stole one tonight in San Jose. That's how you have to win them in the playoffs sometimes, but in recent years, that was a game the Stars never would have won. They're definitely looking like a team that has turned the corner after 5 years of playoff frustration.

 

[2A Batterie]

Obviously I'm a Pittsburgh fan, but you've got to be impressed by a young Penguins team that stormed back against a stingy defensive Rangers team full of veterans. Holy cow.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

good for you. great deal.

i wonder about deals like this and the ones I heard Buffalo making 2 years ago. i wonder how the teams make money b/c they were giving away seats. i guess it's alot of corporate seats being bought.

i know the sens playoff tickets were very expensive this year compared to last. didn't last long and that probably saves pocketbooks for some folks

Thank you.

Well the Isles are bleeding money regardless. The Isles attendance was up this year, but still finished last in the league. They're trying to get to 10,000 season ticket holders (they have around 6800 as of now), so that will help. Corporate attendance is also up because they're promoting that like crazy.

Great night from Marty Turco as the Stars stole one tonight in San Jose. That's how you have to win them in the playoffs sometimes, but in recent years, that was a game the Stars never would have won. They're definitely looking like a team that has turned the corner after 5 years of playoff frustration.

Ooooo yea, I think Dallas can do it. It certainly won't be easy, but I think they can get it down.

Recap of Last Night

Pens 5
Rags 4

There are 2 things in hockey that TDD loves:
When the Islanders Win
and
When The Rangers Lose


Stars 3
Sharks 2
F/OT

Today's Games

Flyers v Habs, 3pm
Avs v Wings, 7pm

 

[Keebler]

Obviously I'm a Pittsburgh fan, but you've got to be impressed by a young Penguins team that stormed back against a stingy defensive Rangers team full of veterans. Holy cow.

that was pretty good. too bad i didn't watch the entire thing and i missed every goal after 3-0. i'll be sure to watch next time.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

Well here's some interesting news... we almost doubled the amount of posts from the Season Thread. 447 to 250.

 

[thegman1234]

Obviously I'm a Pittsburgh fan, but you've got to be impressed by a young Penguins team that stormed back against a stingy defensive Rangers team full of veterans. Holy cow.

Dude did you even watch the game? The Rangers did get a little soft defensively, but that's not the only reason you guys made a come back, that's just a part of it.

that was pretty good. too bad i didn't watch the entire thing and i missed every goal after 3-0. i'll be sure to watch next time.

It's too bad you didn't watch the rest of it. Then you would have seen what these two men are talking about.

"I just saw him and he was diving and that was it, period."

"Crosby embellished."

Those quotes were on the interference call that led to the game winner. I hate to bring it back up, and I hoped it wasn't going to happen, but I watched it all game long. It wasn't the only time he did it, or got a soft call.

I know Pittsburgh fans will never agree with me, but someone else that watched that game had to have seen it. Don, I know you watched the game, rooting for the Pens the whole time, but you had to have seen it. Someone else back me up here, please, it's getting very aggravating.

 

[Rhosfelt]

I do have an BBA in Management or as I like to call it BS.

I'll have my BS too in about 2 and a half years

Back on topic:

The Pens Rags game was awesome last night I tell you what, In the beginning you could tell we were VERY rust, no puck control, at all missing passes, and just fanning on shots. However, sometimes Mellon's ice is trash so at first I thought it was that, but once we started to light it up about half way through the second I knew it was more of the rust getting knocked off.

I really think the Drury goal shouldn't have counted. I looked like a high stick from the angle that VS was showing us, given it was really blurry as well, but it looked like he brought the stick up to about neck height.

I am also surprised that no one dropped the gloves tonight, Orr and Laraque almost did, but I think we wanted him to go with Avery if anything happened so Dupuis took him off the ice before the faceoff.

The game was awesome, however after looking at the scoring sheet earlier today Straka got a game misconduct at 20:00 in the 3rd for 10 minutes.. Anyone see that?! VS didn't even say it, and I'd like to know what happened.

Lastly I hope Fleury looks a lot better on sunday, he was probably the most rusted out of everyone, making some awkward saves early on, and just letting some easy ones go by.