National Hockey League

[darthYENIK]

And the Conn Smythe goes to Henrik Zetterberg.

[bigmamatuna]

And the Conn Smythe goes to Henrik Zetterberg.

his game 4 5-3 on performance was most likely the clincher in my eyes.

 

just outstanding. he needs to work on looking like jared leto though.

[outcest]

good season, good series, good hockey.

[Rashon.]

Osgood made a valiant save at the end.

[Ryan]

What a good game that was. I really wish that Pitsburgh would have scored at the end there to make it go to OT. That would have been good.

 

Well sadly the season is over. Looking forward to discussions in next years topic.

[darthYENIK]

Stanley Cup dinged.

[darthYENIK]

The NHL awards were handed out today. Here are the important ones...

 

Hart Memorial Trophy (awarded to the League's most valuable player): Alexander Ovechkin. No surprise here, Alexander the great was awesome this season.

 

Vezina Trophy (awarded to the league's top goaltender): Martin Brodeur. I love Marty, he's the probably the greatest goalie ever. But I think Evgeni Nabokov deserved it this year. This is Brodeur's 4th Vezina in five years.

James Norris Memorial Trophy (awarded to the league's top defenseman): Nicklas Lidstrom. Like the Hart, no surprises. Lidstrom is easily the best defenseman of our time. This is his 6th Norris Trophy in seven years.

 

Frank J. Selke Trophy (awarded to the league's top defensive forward): Pavel Datsyuk. This was probably the closest race in all the awards. Henrik Zetterberg could have easily won this.

 

Calder Memorial Trophy (awarded to the league's top 1st year player (rookie)): Patrick Kane. This kid is going to be a superstar in the near future.

[kingzing]

Yeah, Nabokov should have won the Vezina. Brodeur didn't even have that great a year. But other than that, it's pretty accurate.

[darthYENIK]

Today was the first round of the entry draft. And as expected Tampa got Stamkos. What I didn't expect was seeing Florida trade Olli Jokinen to Phoenix.

[K3VIN]

I'm an Avs fan and the suspense of Sakic not making his mind up on wether or not to play next year is killing me. I hope he comes back because I would hate to see, in my opinion, the best clutch player of all-time retire. I think he's got at least one more year in him.

[Rashon.]

Well, Barry Melrose, former ESPN NHL Analyst, is named coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Huh, now who's going to by the NHL Analyst for ESPN now? Guess they're drop it altogether since they only seemed to have one.

[darthYENIK]

 

I'm an Avs fan and the suspense of Sakic not making his mind up on wether or not to play next year is killing me.  I hope he comes back because I would hate to see, in my opinion, the best clutch player of all-time retire.  I think he's got at least one more year in him.

That's how I felt last year with Niedermayer and Selanne. And those guys are still in their prime.

 

As for Melrose. The dude is awesome. Growing up in southern California in the late 80's/early 90's, he was my first introduction to an NHL coach. The man is the definition of a hockey coach in my mind. I'm just going to miss his ESPN podcast.

 

EDIT: HAPPY, HAPPY...JOY, JOY!

 

EDIT 2: More HAPPY, HAPPY...JOY, JOY!

Edited June 27, 2008 by darthYENIK

[bigmamatuna]

Well so far Orpik, Malone, and Hossa are testing free-agency for the Penguins which gets me some retribution for Penguins fair-weather fans telling me that everyone would take less to resign with their team.

 

As for the Flyers front, their Chet Pickard bid was foiled by the Predators and gave up Umberger for this Sbisa guy. And the Carter deal for 3yrs/5mil seems like a lot for a 53 point player but Carter reminds me of Lecavalier in the sense that Lecavalier had some slow seasons, developed and grew into his size, and put up 52 goals.

[Ryan]

Anybody know if Montreal got Sundin like they hoped for?

[darthYENIK]

I don't know, but like I posted in the Canada day topic, Vancouver is offering $20 million for two seasons.

[bigmamatuna]

I don't know, but like I posted in the Canada day topic, Vancouver is offering $20 million for two seasons.

It's smart. The Canucks don't have anyone to sign really so they have extra money to dole out.

 

BTW, Detroit just gave the dick to the rest of the NHL. Hossa stay around for a year, helps them win a cup, then is gone off the payroll so the Wings can resign Zetterberg and Franzen. If I met Ken Holland I would shake his hand. He's doing magical things in the salary cap era.

[ManderJ]

I'm a die hard Canucks fan, I think that the Canucks shouldn't get Sundin, for that 10mil we could get someone much better, Sundin was a great player, he's still good, but not worth 10mil for two seasons, he's to old now. The Demitra signing was good, since there arn't really any other good free agents, I think the Canucks should just do some trading.

sh*t though, I can't beleve Naslund left :

[darthYENIK]

So it's a couple months later. Training camps have started. And Sundin has yet to make a decision.

 

But I couldn't give a crap, since I know there is a good chance I'll get a whole season with Teemu Selanne, and Scott Niedermayer. I really hope that Selanne and Brendan Morrison click. The Ducks need Secondary scoring. It sucks relying on one line to score.

 

P.S. Can we change the title of this topic so we don't have to open a new thread for the new season. Or we can just lock it, and I'll make a new one. I'll let the ledbys and mods decide.

[bagga rabbit]

 

And Sundin has yet to make a decision.

I guess he's tired of being the captain of a team that SUCKS.

Who can blame him?

It doesn't seem his heart is in it anymore.

Maybe he should "hang it up".

Edited September 23, 2008 by bagga rabbit

[Attorney General]

P.S. Can we change the title of this topic so we don't have to open a new thread for the new season.

Done.

[darthYENIK]

Schneider goes to Atlanta, for Ken Klee, Brad Larsen, and Chad Painchaud (never heard of them, probably will never play in a Ducks uniform). I'm hoping we'll see Selanne signing a contract soon.

 

And has anyone heard about Claude Lemieux trying to make a comeback at 43 years old?

[bagga rabbit]

 

Claude Lemieux trying to make a comeback at 43 years old?

That would be ridiculous..Chelios can play at an advanced age because of his position and the way he paces himself, but Lemieux ? Gimme a break.

[darthYENIK]

Also Chelios never left the game. He's still an NHL caliber player because he's been playing almost nonstop since he was drafted. The older you get the harder it is to get back into shape. For a 43 year old that hasn't played professionally in four years, it's near impossible to get back into NHL caliber shape.

 

Speaking of people playing in the NHL in their 40s. Teemu Selanne just signed a two year contract that will have him playing at least until he's 40.

 

EDIT: And now Chelios is out of commission for 3-6 weeks.

Edited October 7, 2008 by darthYENIK

[outcest]

well, opening night. i think i'll be flipping between 'em all, but i'll focus on the home game. see how our dear Captain holds up.

 

what about you crew? hopes, anticipations, predictions?

[Bartleby]

what about you crew? hopes, anticipations, predictions?

Every single Canuck will fall and shatter both of their legs, and the Red Wings are winning it all once again.

[darthYENIK]

I hope the Ducks are better than last year. But they sucked tonight. 4-1 Sharks.

[outcest]

 

what about you crew? hopes, anticipations, predictions?

Every single Canuck will fall and shatter both of their legs, and the Red Wings are winning it all once again.

in an effort to prove you wrong, they won it. big time, i might add. still not getting any hopes up...i know better nowadays.

 

Ducks were...well...

 

dont see why they wouldnt improve over the course of a few games though. i loved the Ducks since the cartoon...still have some leftover affection from that...still one of my top teams. i hope they get it together.

[DazedFinch]

Yea Leafs won tonight baby! Screw the wings they're a right off. Go nucks go! 6-0 win woot! What an opening night of hockey.

[darthYENIK]

I know the Wings are good, but that kind of pressure both to go for a repeat championship, and be the favorite to do so, is pretty nerve wracking. Losing to the Leafs right after they present the cup, and raise the banner isn't going to help their confidence.

 

[bagga rabbit]

 

Screw the wings they're a right off

Maybe they just took the night off.