The 2008 NHL Offseason Thread

[roland.g]

Never would have expected the Flames to come back like that. 3-0 down in the first 5 minutes and a rally for a 4-3 win. Game 4 is going to be so huge.

I certainly agree that getting under the goalie's skin is unacceptable but there has been a lot of running into and crashing over Brodeur. Don't get me wrong I hate the guy, but I do respect him and goalies and think that you can't let guys get away with 'falling' over them and running them at all. A starting goalie gets hurt and it can kill a playoff run and the refs need to police that well. That said I didn't see all of what happened so I can't weigh in on Avery but it did look like he was over the line and the refs weren't really handling it. Never been an Avery fan though. And I still wanted to see the Rangers win, the sooner the Devils are out, the happier I will be. Most of the time I like to see a series go 7 for the excitement, but if the Devils or Wings are involved, sweep them quickly. I know, totally biased.

Anyway, should be some good games tonight. But there will probably only be one. I'm sure the Pens will dispatch the Sens in a snoozer. The Preds will try to look competitive against the Wings but still end up in a 3-0 abyss. And then the good game will be in Denver. Go Avs!

 

[Keebler]

i'm not from Calgary, but i was totally proud of how RED that crowd is. No other rink in the NHL can boast at how 'in-sync' their crowd is. EVERYONE was wearing red. Completely awesome. And then, to come back? Fantastic.

Too bad my Habs lost, but I saw that goal coming. ah well.

Avery is still a punk. I don't care about history between him and Brodeur. That was pathetic and that guy is such a moron, he probably thinks what he did was ok. The only thing that guy has done right is Elisha Cuthbert. For that, he gets some credit.

Alfie supposedly might be back for the Sens. That's a desperation move b/c he apparently has a bum knee. It's a scary time for the Sens not only for being down 2-0, but b/c they've been able to call up nobody of significance from their minors which means they are thin down there. They used some of their higher draft picks over the last few years in trades so they haven't been able to build somewhat.

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

Whoa whoa whoa. Time out. Cuthbert was doing Avery?

Ugh, that's a damn shame. He deserves none of that absolutely stunning woman.

 

[roland.g]

Yes, and according to the wiki, she is currently dating Phaneuf. She is a die hard hockey fan and Kings ticket holder. Both her choice in teams and men mean that as can sometimes be expected, looks do not always equal brains (or at least taste).

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

Yes, and according to the wiki, she is currently dating Phaneuf. She is a die hard hockey fan and Kings ticket holder. Both her choice in teams and men mean that as can sometimes be expected, looks do not always equal brains (or at least taste).

I know she's a die hard hockey fan, she is Canadian afterall.

Yea, she doesn't exactly have the best test. Regardless, she would still get it until my <blank> falls off.

 

[MarkCollette]

That turn around, in the Flames game, was awesome!

I was watching it at Melrose, and they had some chicks going around, giving out Flames shirts if you didn't have one. You had to say some trivia about one of the Flames. I said that Phaneuf has the same first name as the leader of the Opposition's last name Probably the biggest dork to get a free shirt that night

 

[roland.g]

^^ I'm rooting for the Flames.

1. I have no love for the Sharks.

2. That gets you the Wings in round 2 and we get Dallas.

 

[puckhead193]

i can't believe the B's finally won a game vs. MTL
HAHAHA:

 

[Surely]

Wow, what a game last night. What a comeback by the Flames- I guess Nolan still has a lot left in him. I'm sure it felt good to stick it to his old team (but I'm sure he'd rather stick it to the Leafs).... A sea of red indeed.... Go Flames.

The Pens will have a tough night with Spezza back and possibly Alfredson as well. Hopefully they don't get intimidated by the crowd reaction to both those guys coming back. They'll need to be very disciplined in the first 5 minutes to calm the Sens and the crowd down. If Alfredson is back, I wouldn't expect him to be anywhere near 100%.

And what's with the zeroes on the shoulders of the Senators' jerseys anyway? Is that for how many games they expect to win during the playoffs this year?

 

[Rhosfelt]

Whoa whoa whoa. Time out. Cuthbert was doing Avery?

Ugh, that's a damn shame. He deserves none of that absolutely stunning woman.

You shouldn't be so upset Don, last I heard Comrie was (is still?) hitting Hilary Duff.

 

[LeahM]

Ok quick question: how hard are they on testing the players within the NHL? for say drugs of any kind?

 

[roland.g]

From ESPN.com is the Vegas Odds at the beginning of the playoffs of the 16 teams shot at winning The Cup. Obviously the comments are mine.


Red Wings: 3-1
still realistic given their 2-0 start and President's Trophy seed


Ducks: 6-1
looking like a laugher


Sharks: 8-1
after last night and game 1, getting out of the first round is questionable


Penguins: 9-1
still looking strong, certainly the class of the East, but yet to be tested


Devils: 14-1
if not for yesterday's OT bank shot, they might be in a 0-3 hole, but they still look like a round 1 flame out


Habs: 16-1
cooking the bruins, though it is a bit more of series, still they'll see the 2nd round


Flames: 20-1
the big question is who's starting pivotal game 4 in goal


Rangers: 22-1
they should dispatch the Devils, which would give them either the Habs or Pens in the semis (Flyers are the x factor)


Stars: 25-1
really didn't expect them to play the Ducks this well, let's see if it lasts - Turco?


Wild: 30-1
another OT bank shot or they'd be Wild Ducks 0-2 going on the road, as it is 2 games in Denver will tell - their depth is really the issue


Avs: 32-1
it's no secret who I'm rooting for, let's get 2 at home and if we can advance, go Flames, then we'd get the Stars


Flyers: 35-1
that series is certainly the most wide open, not much netminding or defense though game 2 was a surprise slow down


Senators: 50-1
they get better odds then the Caps, hmm, that one's a head scratcher, the Caps were on a 7 game tear starting the playoffs


Bruins: 60-1
"we're just happy to be here, and look we won a game, maybe Montreal will fall asleep for 3 more games"


Caps: 100-1
really! twice the payout to the Sens, the Sens almost backed their way right out of the playoffs


Predators: 150-1
given their opponent this is probably fair, however they did show hope for a period or two, maybe next year they will be the Hamilton Blackberries

 

[Teh Don Ditty]

You shouldn't be so upset Don, last I heard Comrie was (is still?) hitting Hilary Duff.

Cuthbert trumps Duff anyday of the week, twice on Sundays and 3 times when there's a hockey game on TV.

Comrie doesn't deserve Duff either lol.

 

[Rhosfelt]

Ok quick question: how hard are they on testing the players within the NHL? for say drugs of any kind?

Fairly rigorous however, any use of drugs would be apparent once some one got hit and turned into dust. If you notice though no one really shoots up over an off season or anything like that and really they would be destroyed because of how weak the immune system becomes after PEDs (performance enhancing drugs).

From ESPN.com is the Vegas Odds at the beginning of the playoffs of the 16 teams shot at winning The Cup. Obviously the comments are mine.

Fancy man! haha So it looks like Detroit is having a big advantage, however I really would think the Pens would be next (not being biased, but based on what is going on now.)

Cuthbert trumps Duff anyday of the week, twice on Sundays and 3 times when there's a hockey game on TV.

Comrie doesn't deserve Duff either lol.

Honestly I am more of a Duff person, I like the cute look as opposed to a chin like a boxer. Plus eh I done with blondes for a while.

Of course that is based solely on looks, which I don't do really. IQ is key, if you are cute and have an IQ that is amazing.

 

[roland.g]

...however I really would think the Pens would be next (not being biased, but based on what is going on now.)

Obviously, but one might say the same of Dallas at how they are dispatching the Ducks, and that Detroit and Pittsburgh has easier opponents. First round is a little hard to gauge except of course for the teams that are favored but tanking. Remember those odds were prior to any playoff games being played.

 

[Rhosfelt]

Obviously, but one might say the same of Dallas at how they are dispatching the Ducks, and that Detroit and Pittsburgh has easier opponents. First round is a little hard to gauge except of course for the teams that are favored but tanking. Remember those odds were prior to any playoff games being played.

Oh I'm sorry I thought that was released today.. should have read a little more clearly. Who has been in goal for Dallas, I think that is going to hurt them after the first round because last thing I heard from the Stars was that they lost (gave up?) Smith, and he is really the only person I could name from them..

 

[roland.g]

Oh I'm sorry I thought that was released today.. should have read a little more clearly. Who has been in goal for Dallas, I think that is going to hurt them after the first round because last thing I heard from the Stars was that they lost (gave up?) Smith, and he is really the only person I could name from them..

Turco. I assumed he was starting the series. Smith they sent to TB for Richards. But Turco should still be their #1, pre and post trade.
But he has a huge playoff monkey on his back. Though so far this series he seems to be ok. Last year Luongo beat him and the year before the Avs took him down in 5.

 

[Keebler]

Whoa whoa whoa. Time out. Cuthbert was doing Avery?

Ugh, that's a damn shame. He deserves none of that absolutely stunning woman.

Don...not sure if they still are, but they were dating for years. Way back when he was first with LA.

It is a shame....she turned me down countless times Just doesn't know a good thing when she sees it

 

[Keebler]

Ok quick question: how hard are they on testing the players within the NHL? for say drugs of any kind?

they're not hard on them and they (the NHL brass) keep it VERY quiet b/c they don't want any negative publicity b/c they're trying to get as many ppl into the stands.

Grant Fuhr knowingly did cocaine during the latter part of this playing days, John Kordic did 'roids, but that was public b/c he sadly died.

Bob Probert was caught at the Detroit border with drugs.

Players do it, but it's not that publicly know. I honestly believe that the percentage is probably pretty small, but it's there.

 

[Keebler]

i can't believe the B's finally won a game vs. MTL
HAHAHA:

diving? they haven't been diving. There has been missed calls on both sides of the centre line. Ref'ing hasn't been perfect at all. Never is...never will be. Just a part of the game that you hope goes your way

GO HABS GO! you let the bruins have a taste now put them back into hibernation!

 

[MarkCollette]

And what's with the zeroes on the shoulders of the Senators' jerseys anyway? Is that for how many games they expect to win during the playoffs this year?

The ZEROttawa Senators?

Cuthbert trumps Duff anyday of the week, twice on Sundays and 3 times when there's a hockey game on TV.

Comrie doesn't deserve Duff either lol.

I'd take Duff over Cuthbert any day. She looks 5x sweeter and more sincere.

 

[Surely]

they're not hard on them and they (the NHL brass) keep it VERY quiet b/c they don't want any negative publicity b/c they're trying to get as many ppl into the stands.

Grant Fuhr knowingly did cocaine during the latter part of this playing days, John Kordic did 'roids, but that was public b/c he sadly died.

Bob Probert was caught at the Detroit border with drugs.

Players do it, but it's not that publicly know. I honestly believe that the percentage is probably pretty small, but it's there.

Your examples are from the 80's and early 90's. So what? That info is totally irrelevant when discussing drug use in today's game.

Grant Fuhr knowingly did cocaine? Really? What, like in the dressing room in front of reporters? Knowingly implies that it was well-known while he was using it, but his drug use came to light after the fact.

Every league tries to keep it as quiet as possible. When the NHL has caught players, they have disciplined accordingly. From a Globe and Mail article from Dec. 14/07: Defenceman Sean Hill of the Minnesota Wild is the only player so far who has violated the NHL's anti-doping policy. He was hit with a 20-game suspension last spring while still playing for the New York Islanders.

And in 2005: Defenceman Bryan Berard of the Islanders and Colorado Avalanche goalie Jose Theodore both failed out-of-competition tests administered by their respective national anti-doping organizations in November 2005 but neither was suspended by the league because the failed tests happened before the NHL established its new policy.

But that's it. No other violations.

If you want to accuse NHL players of abusing anything, then talk about stuff like anti-histamines, Cold-FX, and smelling salts (on the bench). None of which are considered to be performance-enhancing drugs.

Anyway, I think this is a lot off-topic from the 2008 playoffs. So tonight: Go Pens, Go Wings, and Go Avs.

 

[acarle208]

Go Flyers!

 

[MarkCollette]

Grant Fuhr knowingly did cocaine? Really? What, like in the dressing room in front of reporters? Knowingly implies that it was well-known while he was using it, but his drug use came to light after the fact.

I wouldn't exactly call cocaine a performance enhancing drug. Like, if you want to get dizzy on night time cough syrup, right before a game, there should be no rule against that

 

[Surely]

I wouldn't exactly call cocaine a performance enhancing drug. Like, if you want to get dizzy on night time cough syrup, right before a game, there should be no rule against that

I'm not sure if he used cocaine before games or just for fun. But cocaine can absolutely be considered a performance-enhancing drug. Cocaine can make you feel more confident, focused and sharp, and make you feel alert and energetic. It is a stimulant after all.

"Cocaine is a fun thing to do."