With the draft last week and the free agent signing period beginning at noon today, the NHL is back in full swing. This year's crop is the largest free agent pool ever, so it should be interesting.
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With the draft last week and the free agent signing period beginning at noon today, the NHL is back in full swing. This year's crop is the largest free agent pool ever, so it should be interesting.
Yawn,
Outside of Pittsburgh, Detroit, and St. Louis (and somewhat in NY)
This is useless, and the rule changes suck ass.
On the Bright Side, however, football is back in season!!!!
You're like the NBA, Warbuk$. You're useless but won't go away.
i cant believe some of the rule changes they made. absolute garbage. more scoring isnt going to draw more fans. either you can follow the sport or you cant. an inflated score wont change that. maybe they need a deal with the national networks (ahem.....abc DURING the season more and a CONSISTANT ESPN schedule) and not show the same 12 teams when they do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonmaster Dyne
What teams do they show down there?
You'd be surprised at what more goals will do for people.
I like the way hockey was, I enjoy 1-0 struggles or 0-0 ties, but I think the smaller goalie equipment and new two-line-pass rules will create more excitement AND help break up the neutral-zone trap that the NHL's been hating on for years.
Make no mistake though, it will cause many many more goals. The only change I don't like, BEING A NJ FAN, is the goalie-play-the-puck-trapezoid. How are they even going to officiate that? Are they coloring in the ice in that trapezoid?
I'm so excited for hockey.
I hated ties, I think that's a lame way to end a game.. there should always be a clearcut winner, so I am all for that change. i have no issues with low scoring games though, but I'm just saying that I know a lot of people do.
The goalie playing the puck rule changes will really hurt new jersey. Brodeur is like an extra defenseman back there with the quality of passes he makes. I'm a huge new jersey fan, plus I really like seeing defensive games, this coming season will be weird..but I do like some of the changesQuote:
Originally Posted by Cowutopia
Hockey was gone? wtf
Yeah I'm worried the puck changes will affect him too. However I am quite happy they are lowering the maximum goalie pad amount because Brodeur already played with pads that were below it :evil:Quote:
Originally Posted by Spammy
Also the Devils need to sign Miroslav Satan ASAP.
the "big" ones. usually colorado, nj, detroit, dallas.....basically anybody past the 2nd round the past 4 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brisco Bold
im still a believer (being a goalie myself) that they should bring back the shootout. make people win. the whole "i still get a point because i LOST in overtime" stuff is crap too. once you go to overtime theres really no incentive to try to win.....and 5 minutes? a waste.
there'll be a whole opportunity to cherry pick this year and i see lemieux suddenly being "healthy" and taking advantage of this.
I think the best rule to get rid of, which would eliminate the need for any other rule changes, would be to just get rid of offside. I know, I know, cherry picking would get alot more common, but it would open up the ice alot more, as defenses would have to adjust to take this into account, and make the game alot more run and gun, like basketball, which has no shortage of excitement when it comes to offense. The problem with hockey not being a popular sport is that defense wins championships, and the average sport enthusiast doesn't appreciate a good defense like us hockey fans/players. I think that most fans that are just getting into the game hate the whole dump and chase offense that most teams run in even man situations. Most people find digging in the corners, and trapping the puck on the boards to retain posession pretty fucking boring. I myself would actually not like to see offside done away with, but if it's the dif between the existence of hockey and total league collapse due to lack of revenue, I'd be all for it. I do like the getting rid of the red line in 2 line pass calls though, that alone should make for alot more odd man offensive situations, 2 and 3 on 1's and the such.
It is a great time to be a Penguin fan, lemme tell you :) Can't wait to see Crosby play too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonmaster Dyne
I dont believe all the hype around Crosby. All of the goals that he scores shown on ESPN doesnt make it seem like he has any skill, its more like he's in the right spot at the right time, or hes doing some stupid trick shot that he would never get away with in the NHL.
But I guess we'll have to wait and see when he's out there with the big boys. He's gonna get knocked around, for sure.
Hell, I bet he wont even play this season (hes still only 17).
Yeah. The Penguins will look a lot better fighting the Isles for third place this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Changeling
You don't remember Gretzky, do you? He rarely scored specactular goals. He just scored shit loads of normal-looking ones, because he could anticipate the game better than anyone ever has, so he was always in the right place at the right time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhydant
thats my beef with Penguins fans, and Pittsburgh fans in gereral (since im only 1.5 hours away it spills into my area). theyre only "fans" when the team are winning. if not, they dont care. but when they do they're the biggest trash talkers ever.Quote:
Originally Posted by Changeling
same thing with goalies. people say Brodeur is "boring", but he just plays position EXTREMELY well. the "flashy" saves always mean you're out of position "most" of the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
Exactly. Hasek, for example, had no damn idea how to play the position, which is why he flounders around like an idiot and gets so much underserved praise.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonmaster Dyne
Yeah there are a lot of rule changes, but its going to make it so fucking entertaining. Although, it might hurt the enjoyment of the playoffs knowing that its easier to score a goal, the tense feeling might get lost. Either way I am just glad I can watch the Wild again.
So far there have been several big free agent signings:
Joe Nieuwendyk to Florida (2 years, $2.25M)
Gary Roberts to Florida (2 years, $2.25M)
Adam Foote to Columbus (3 years, $13.5M)
Adrian Aucoin to Chicago (4 years, $16M)
Rumor has it that Philadelphia is about to sign Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje.
This begs the question, will the do shootouts in the playoffs? I hope not I really enjoyed the overtime and multple overtime games.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clash!
No, the playoff OTs will not change.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spammy
I heard something about someone else signing Mike Modano.
Adam Foote to Columbus? What else have they done to give themselves a chance?
The word on the 'net is that he is going to Boston, though that is not official.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowutopia
Philadelphia has signed Hatcher and Rathje, as well as re-signing Chris Therien. I hope they all blow out knees in camp.
...80% of NJ's players are free agents, and Stevens, Rafalski, and Niedermayer, (READ: DEFENSE) are UFA's.
<hits the panic button>
There's no need to hit panic. Most of the guys are restricted and have already been tendered offers. At least two of the three defensemen will re-sign. Niedermayer's ego may get in the way of common sense, but Jovanovski and Leetch are available to replace him if he leaves, and they will be cheaper.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowutopia
I didn't realize those two guys were available.
Now that I'm home I'm off to browse the entire FA list.
although my bro would blow his yogurt over that idea, Sinden would never pay that much money to someone in his club.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
almost time to change my av to something Blackhawk related.
Well Hatcher should happen as soon as he gets his first paycheck..like clockwork with him. Rathje has a history too, so its possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
The Stars are offering 3.5 million x 5 years. He wants to remain a Stars player and will most likely accept this deal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowutopia
I'm glad they are putting a halt on the larger equipment. ESPN the magazine had an interesting article on it last year. Who needs the Stay Puff Marshmellow man, playing goalie?Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowutopia
As the only Black man in california to watch hockey I say BRING IT ON!
Go Ducks!
Chris Pronger to Edmonton for Eric Brewer and some trash. I say two things to this. Holy shit and fuck me. God bless the new CBA.
I found a link on brodeur speaking out about the new rules.Quote:
Originally Posted by gamevet
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL...45858-sun.html
I agree that not many goalies do what he can do, so I don't see why the should limit goalies passing the puck. Seems like he's found a potential way around it already.
I think I use to have an article of him speaking out against larger pads, from a year or two ago, but I can't find it. Anyways It seems like he is prepared for the season and will probably do as well as he usually does. It'll be interesting to see how the goalies that used oversized pads will do. I hope they get use to seeing the light going off behind them
wait, theyre pushing the net closer to the boards by 2 feet? didnt they move it away not too long ago to promote more "behind the net" play?
Holy shit! Cuba Gooding, Jr. posts on TNL.Quote:
Originally Posted by avatar
He rejected it. Hawks and Bruins are offering ~$5M x 4 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by gamevet
Yep, The NHL ended April 13th, 1997.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joust Williams
Heh... He is still in the league? I remember when he was in Hartford, I have a signed rookie card of his somewhere..Quote:
Originally Posted by Error
A week after he signed it, he was traded to STL for that crybaby Shanahan.
He's only 30 years old. But then thats what happens when you start playing in the NHL at 18.
Today's been even crazier than yesterday. Vancouver re-signed Naslund and trade Sopel to free up cap room for someone. I think and hope it is Forsberg. He would do them more good, because it helps them and hurts their divisional power, Colorado. If they take Forsberg, they have no room left for Niedermayer, and I'd be shocked if he signed anywhere besides Vancouver or New Jersey.
Scratch that. Forsberg is headed to Philadelphia for 2 years and $10.7M. Add him to torn up knee list. I hope all these idiots enjoy going to a city that never wins shit.
Who's your team anyway Yoshi?
And wow, Mike Peca for Mike York. Oilers are going nuts with trades.
And I guess Roenicks days are numbered in Philly now. Maybe he'll go to Dallas to replace Modano.
New Jersey. That's where I was born.Quote:
Originally Posted by Error
The Isles were freeing up money for Satan.Quote:
And wow, Mike Peca for Mike York. Oilers are going nuts with trades.
LA is the word.Quote:
And I guess Roenicks days are numbered in Philly now. Maybe he'll go to Dallas to replace Modano.
no shit? id love for him and roenick and belfour to be back in chicago. eddie still with toronto for now? and is hasek playing this year?
Belfour is still with Toronto, but I dont think he'll be there for long if they cant sign anyone else. Hasek is signed and delivered to Ottawa for the year.
Apparently $17.5 million isn't enough for Mike Modano. :curse:
wow, boston got leetch. my bro is stoked.
Modano would have been nice. I like the Aucoin signing, though.
Modano wound up signing with Dallas afterall. Even though I don't care about the Stars, I am glad to see someone play his whole career for one team... hint hint Niedermayer...
Forsberg, Hatcher, and Radnji to philly. I'm shocked, but I'm not shocked about Yoshi liking NJ. I used to like NJ, but that stupid Zone defense sucked the life out of the game. Add to the fact that if you live ijn Northern NJ, you like NJ. Southern NJ you normally like Philadelphia.
lol, Colorado is 0 for 2. First Foote, now Forsberg.
Though I am happy for LA. With Roenick, Pavol Demitra, Craig Conroy, and Robitaille, they'll have some experience up front. Now they just gotta keep them healthy, avoid having another Deadmarsh/Palffy/Allison situation.
South Jersey is not affiliated with New Jersey in any way, thanks.
(but if you're a Devils fan I'll allow it.)
Niedermayer is a mother fucking Duck. That dumb shit gave up a bigger contract and a chance to win in order to play with his no talent brother. What a schmuck.
To make matters worse, he held the Devils hostage for three days so they couldn't go after Gonchar, Leetch, etc.
Fuck you beat me to it.
I agree, what an assclown. He was probably the most talented player we had left too.
FUCK.
Speaking of, I saw him at the championship game of the World Cup last year, he was sitting a few hundred feet in front of me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
Nice to see the Leafs asleep on the transaction front again, who needs change...
They signed someone: right winger Jeff O'Neill from Carolina
Our new theory: Because of the large draft pool and the Salary Cap, Lamoriello's strategy is to pick up players on the cheap as teams look to drop players and/or run out of roster space.
If Rafalski leaves, NJ is really fucked in the ass. And what with Philadelphia's lineup only getting stronger, and the penguins too, it's looking like we might not make the playoffs. (Remember we have to play 8 games against each team in our division.)
If I had to place a bet now, I'd be split between Vancouver (Bertuzzi's back in the lineup), Philadelphia, and Ottowa to win the cup. And what the hey, add the Lightning to that list too.
It's funny to see other Leafs fans go ape**** crazy on boards, calling for the GM's head, etc. as though free agency would end by midnight Thursday. Nevermind foolishly hoping for players we weren't going to sign thanks to cap space/needs, I'm surprised the idea that we'll announce our signings at once escapes some.Quote:
Originally Posted by outRider
I wasn't asking for the GM's head, I wasn't hoping for unrealistic acquisitions, nor for a signing per minute.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geohound Omega
The Leafs however, have a lousy front office. If it's not trading away good draft picks for crappy players, it's trading good players for crappy players, letting good players walk away and signing crappy players.
Wasn't referring to you, actually.
Devils signed Rafalski, Malakhov, and McGillis. Their D might still be the best in the NHL if Stevens doesn't retire. It's just not as good as it has been in previous years.
:\ :| :) :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
Malakhov. lol.
Colin White is atrocious. Watch him carefully, he makes far too many puckhandling mistakes, many of them costly. He also makes some very poor decisions.
White should never be handling the puck. Rafalski, Malakov, and Martin are the puck handlers. Stevens, White, and McGillis are the muscle. That's the way good teams build defense.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowutopia
True, but guys like Domi know how to not pass the puck directly to the other team when trying to clear the zone.
He's back with the leafs, btw.
my beloved hawks just signed khabibulin to a 4 year deal. i guess thibault will be the backup, as good as he is. this year should be a turnaround for my team (hopefully).
Great coup on signing Khabibulin! Hawks are going to try to move Thibault, though.
Yeah the Devils always had defensive pairings like that. Niedermayer/Stevens together were unstoppable :evil:Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
Yeah you've made quite a few big signings. Good luck.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonmaster Dyne
A few friends and I are going to try to start our own Fantasy Hockey league, where building an actual team instead of a dream stat team will be the focus. PM me or something if you're interested in joining. (this is crazily premature to be mentioning now.)
That was a long time ago though. They haven't played together this millennium.Quote:
Originally Posted by piku
Yeah, bet you cut and pasted that from your wife's last letter she left with your lunch, douche.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
Anywho,
Compare ratings, compare crowds, compare television programs, personalities, what have you.
NFL shits all over the NHL, always has, always will.
And the strike has ruined them, hardcore (meaning real, not bitchtards like yourself) gave up on the sport.
They won't sell out in Detroit, New York, or Boston anymore.
Boo-hoo, bitches, face it, hockey is over after this year, they won't be able to pay the bills, 7.3 million for some 38 year old toothless russian just makes me laugh even more.'
Wow... you really don't know about hockey in any of those cites at all do you?Quote:
Originally Posted by Daddy Warbuk$
As long as Roloson holds up for the Wild this year, I'll be watching. Otherwise I'll stick to college hockey. More pride involved.
Ah but heres the funny thing...they don't have to worry about paying them the full amount. They only have to worry about paying them 53% of whatever they make this year. Linkage my friend, linkage.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daddy Warbuk$
My Red Wings got Osgood back. Just hope he doesn't let those red liners past him anymore.
thibault went to pittsburgh.....he's tainted to me :(
thats better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wildkat
College will be fun this year, but I think I'll have to kick the non friday and sat night games to the wild to see how they do..plus the rule changes intregue me..even if I don't agree with them all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Carter
I really wonder how the Gophers will do this year..then again I'm not sure how many of the other wcha schools have returning players....
I love most of the new rule changes. Makes it more like college/international hockey, which is faster and more fun to watch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spammy
The Goofs should do ... decently. They lost a few names, but they've retained a lot of talent. Most of the WCHA schools have retained their names so far. CC lost Stuart, but that's okay. SCSU lost nobody so far... whether that's good or bad is beyond me. And MTU lost Connor or whoever, so they're screwed.