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Thread: The Official NHL Thread

  1. #521
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    Hell yeah man!
    How many seasons did Gretsky play together with Mcsorley? Yzerman with Probert? They need to let the guys play the damn game the way God intended. With goal scorers and tough guys..
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    Therrien - what if...

    Pittsburgh would have been in great shape had Therrien had the opportunity to start the year. Olczyk was a poor choice, questioned by many.

    Now Crosby has opportunities in 2nd and third periods to to make a contribution where the Pens were usually down by 3 or more.

    Hard to believe there isn't room for Crosby on Canadian team, but it is important to have good team chemistry and a balanced team with role players.

    He is looking determined...probably best thing to happen to him, not being selected...
    Last edited by Romeo Delight; 01-04-2006 at 04:12 AM.
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  3. #523
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    Have to agree, it's a night and day difference how they're playing....

    Defense is playing much, much better....

    Just LOVED hearing the Habs fans' jeer Theodore last night....

    As for Sid, I've run out of adjectives, it's just a treat watching him every game...

    And the thing is, I think eventually he's going to be even more agressive with his shot-taking....

    Even if this year only turns out so-so, next year brings Malkin as another Center to go along with Crosby.....
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    Just another indication that Theirren isn't fucking around....

    Ham-n-eggers will not be tolerated !! Being from Pittsburgh probably won't save him....

    http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/artic...05_143019_3900

    Penguins shopping Malone

    Sportsnet.ca-- After scoring 22 goals in 2003-2004 and being named to the NHL's All-Rookie team, Pittsburgh Penguins winger Ryan Malone has struggled to return to form this season. In fact, the 26-year old Pittsburgh native has had a hard time holding a regular spot in the lineup. As a result, general manager Craig Patrick is putting out feelers to see if there's any interest in the young forward.

    Sources tell Sportsnet Malone's availability has been announced via email. A move that isn't entirely surprising based on the fact he's been a healthy scratch in three of Pittsburgh's last five games and has scored just six times in 35 games played this season.

    Malone, still considered a marketable talent, will surely lure offers as he's also in the final year of a contract that pays him $750,000 this season.

    The Penguins have struggled in the standings. Despite winning three of the last four games, Pittsburgh sits second from the bottom in the Eastern Conference with a 11-19-9 record for 31 points.

  5. #525
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    http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/news_sto...name=world_jrs

    Canada wins 2006 World Junior title

    VANCOUVER (CP) - Canada's relentless defence and the superior coaching of Brent Sutter was no match for Russia in the final of the world junior hockey championship as Canada defended its gold medal with a 5-0 victory on Thursday.

    Sutter has now coached Canada to back-to-back world junior titles. Canada had not accomplished that feat since 1996 and 1997 when the country completed a run of five straight. It was Canada's 12th world junior title.

    Sutter, the coach, general manager and owner of the Red Deer Rebels, is 12-0 in the world junior championship and is the winningest Canadian coach in the history of this tournament.

    Michael Blunden of the Erie Otters scored two power-play goals for his first two of the tournament, and Blake Comeau of the Kelowna Rockets, Steve Downie of the Peterborough Petes and Kyle Chipchura also scored for Canada in front of a full house at GM Place. Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Cam Barker had two assists.

    Canadian goaltender Justin Pogge collected his third shutout of the tournament. The Calgary Hitmen netminder stopped 35 shots and helped hold off Russia in the first period when Canada was getting outshot 15-3 at one point.

    Pogge tipped his new world junior champion baseball cap to the crowd during the post-game celebration to acknowledge the regular chanting of this name throughout the game and the tournament.

    "We came out and played our game," Pogge told TSN. "We're in Canada, the gold stays here in Canada."

    Sutter's philosophy of an aggressive defence, hard work and attention to detail has proven successful with both the star-studded team that won the 2005 championship in Grand Forks, N.D., and this squad, which was considered an underdog in this tournament because it was younger, more inexperienced and had less talent at the forward position.

    Canada allowed only six goals in six games and only one of them was an even-strength goal.

    "I really felt comfortable with the team that we had," Sutter told TSN. "They stuck together as a team, played hard, competed and stayed with the program. Tonight showed their commitment.

    "A lot of people underestimated the skill we had on this team."

    Russia did not get good goaltending out of Anton Khudobin as he showed poor technique on Canada's first two goals of the game.

    Canada worked harder and was more willing to pay the physical price around the Russian net than the Russians were in defending it.

    And Canada's special teams were better with two goals on seven power-play chances while holding Russia scoreless on six opportunities.

    Russia outshot Canada 15-8 in the opening 20 minutes, but the Canadians emerged with a 2-0 lead on goals by Comeau and Downie. They were also buoyed by the defensive effort of Eric Staal, who shut down Russian star Evgeni Malkin, and Pogge, who made some tricky saves during three Russian power plays.

    Television replays in the opening minutes of the second period showed the puck getting across the goal-line behind Pogge. The Russians had a long discussion with American referee Brian Thul, but the score remained 2-0.

    Blunden shovelled a loose puck that squirted loose in a goal-mouth scramble over Khudobin at 14:44 of the second period. He pounced on a rebound on a Cam Barker shot from the blue-line at 12:02.

    The Russians began to show their frustration at that point with roughing and tripping penalties in the second period, which didn't help their cause. Canada carried the play outshooting them 19-9 in the second frame.

    Chipchura made it 5-0 with less than three minutes to play in the third period when he beat Khudobin on the short side.

    The Canadians were outshot by a large margin in the first period, but kept a lot of those shots to the outside.

    Pogge made two tough saves on off-speed and deflected shots in on Alexei Yemelin and Vyacheslav Buravchikov during a penalty kill.

    Staal found Comeau near the faceoff circle as he drove the net and banged in his own rebound when Khudobin lifted his right pad at 18:56.

    Downie wheeled out in front of the net and somehow got the puck under Khudobin's pad at 17:13.

    Alexander Radulov of the Quebec Remparts rang a shot off the crossbar during Russia's third man advantage of the game.

    Canada had lost to Russia on home soil by one goal in the final of the 1999 tournament in Winnipeg and the 2003 final Halifax. The last Canada had won gold as the host team was in 1995 in Red Deer.

  6. #526
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    Originally posted by Takeem5
    Hell yeah man!
    How many seasons did Gretsky play together with Mcsorley? Yzerman with Probert? They need to let the guys play the damn game the way God intended. With goal scorers and tough guys..

    Yup...THe CAPTAIN was unscratched for the first 10+ years of his career...he had PROBERT...and KOCUR...and JERRY GALANT ridding shot-gun........


    Let 'em play.....
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  7. #527
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    Ok...I am really starting to hate The Atlanta Thrasher's Kovalchuk. It's one thing to hot dog after a goal with a great celebration. But to call out Crosby like that...dude is going to pay a price.

    Crosby does have to stop embellishing (diving). It is un-Canadian and he doesn't need to do it. I really want him to get over on Kovalchuk...Help him VA.


    Anyone see Vancouver v. Calgary? Like a playoff game. Unreal! Game turned when Vancouver went down 3-1 in 3rd and team started hitting everything that moved. Outstanding game! Calgary is looking like favourite for Cup though. So strong on D, goal, and 4 strong, hard-working lines. Wait until Iginla starts to get his shit together...

  8. #528
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    Crosby needs someone on his line who can pummel some sob who wants to cross-check him.

    Fucking NHL and their Instigator rule. I say fuck it and lay waste to pussies who want to cheap-shot Crosby. Season is done anyway. Fans will love it and cowards will learn a most valuable lesson.

    Has to be done.

  9. #529
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    He got called for diving last night on an absolutely BULLSHIT call.... It was fucking HORRIBLE....

    Then, the ref stares down Crosby in the penalty box until Crosby says something, and gives him another 2 minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct...

    As far as the retaliation, I agree 100%.... I was so disappointed (but not surprised) that no one got in Kovalchuk's face at all last night... Talbot tried WITH 1 SECOND LEFT IN THE GAME, ridiculous...

    They've got a couple of decent enforcers in Andre Roy and Vandenbussche (on injured list), but Roy was only on the ice for a handful of shifts....

    But I agree, this treatment is going to continue until it becomes clear that it won't be condoned....

    I was actually surprised this morning that it looks like Don Cherry is coming around in his comments about Crosby;

    http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=149860&hubname=nhl

    Cherry slams Kovalchuk for taunting Sid

    TORONTO (CP) - For once, Don Cherry came to the defence of Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby during his Coach's Corner segment Saturday night.

    Cherry, the popular Hockey Night in Canada commentator, has long been critical of Crosby. But on Saturday night Cherry criticized Russian Ilya Kovalchuk for taunting Crosby during Atlanta's 6-4 win Friday night over Pittsburgh.

    Kovalchuk scored three goals in the game. Following his second goal, which came after Crosby was sent off with his second slashing penalty of the game, Kovalchuk turned and pointed a finger toward Crosby stepping back on the ice.

    "I've seen a lot of things in my life but I've never seen a guy pointing to a guy in the penalty box," Cherry said. "Someone should've broken his (Kovalchuk's) arm but they didn't."

    During the segment, Cherry also showed film clips of Crosby having to fend for himself against a lot of extra attention from the Thrashers.

    "I'm starting to like Crosby more and more because he doesn't back down," Cherry said. "They (Pittsburgh) absolutely have to get somebody to ride shotgun with him.

    "He's an 18-year-old kid...this is ridiculous."

    Cherry has often been critical of Crosby.

    Last month, he questioned the logic of the Penguins making Crosby, 18, an alternate captain in his first NHL season.

    During the 2003-04 season, he called Crosby a "hotdog" after showing video of a trick goal he scored while playing for the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

    Cherry also questioned Crosby's decision to skip the Top Prospects game in January and earlier this season accused him of being a diver.

  10. #530
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    The kids is 18.

    Kovalchuk is having a good season after a slow start, but how about some sportsmanship.

    This was obviously out of jealousy of the attention the kid is getting from the league as it's "savior".
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  11. #531
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    Rangers obtain Petr Sykora from Anaheim for Maxim Kondratiev

    January 8, 2006

    NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Rangers obtained forward Petr Sykora and a 2007 fourth-round draft choice from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in exchange for defenseman Maxim Kondratiev.

    Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather announced the deal Sunday.

    The 29-year-old Sykora has scored at least 20 goals in each of his last six NHL seasons. He appeared in 34 games with Anaheim this season, with seven goals and 13 assists.

    The move adds yet another Czech native to the Rangers, who already have Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka, Martin Rucinsky and rookie Petr Prucha. Sykora will be eligible for unrestricted free agency after this season.

    The 22-year-old Kondratiev appeared in 29 games with the Rangers this season, with one goal and two assists.


    http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

  12. #532
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    What a shocker, another Czech for the Rangers...

    Sykora was a frickin' sniper when he played for the Devils, this trade should help out the Rangers a lot....

  13. #533
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    not a hockey fan but just saw this on sportscenter...
    http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2285908
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  14. #534
    " Littering and...."
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    great shit..guy just dressses up ang starts shooting at the goalie

  15. #535
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    Yeah, I read that on one of the Canadian sites...

    Of course, they razzed him that he finally made a save.....

  16. #536
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    Originally posted by DavidFlamma
    Leafs suck balls

    That's right!

  17. #537
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    Originally posted by guwapo_rocker
    January 10th, I'll take the Leafs for $20.00 Flamma.

    Looks like I've stumbled upon a new money-generating opportunity for the site.


    http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=260110022


    VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Alexandre Burrows scored his first career goal to help the Vancouver Canucks beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 on Tuesday night.

    The Canucks fourth line of Burrows, fellow rookie Ryan Kesler and Matt Cooke drew the assignment of checking the Maple Leafs top line and not only shutdown the trio of Mats Sundin, Tie Domi and Alex Steen, but outscored them in the process.

    The Canucks trailed 2-1 after the first period, but battled back on goals by Cooke and Burrows, playing in just his fifth NHL game, to take the lead heading into the third period.

    Vancouver goalie Alex Auld, who picked up his 16th win of the season, held the Leafs at bay in the third period, allowing just one goal on 17 shots as the Canucks were outshot 38-19 on the night.

    Chad Kilger, Alexander Khavanov and Steen scored for the Maple Leafs (24-16-3) while Jarkko Ruutu and Anson Carter had the other goals for Vancouver (24-14-5).

    Carter gave the Canucks a 4-2 lead eight minutes into the third period. Steen answered to cut the lead to one.

    Burrows' goal came with 3:15 to play in the second period after the 24-year-old came out from behind the Toronto net and fired a shot on Ed Belfour. The Maple Leaf goaltender got enough of the puck to prevent it from going in but couldn't stop the rebound that bounced off the chest of Steen and into the open net.

  18. #538
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    Originally posted by DavidFlamma
    Looks like I've stumbled upon a new money-generating opportunity for the site.


    http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=260110022


    VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Alexandre Burrows scored his first career goal to help the Vancouver Canucks beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 on Tuesday night.

    The Canucks fourth line of Burrows, fellow rookie Ryan Kesler and Matt Cooke drew the assignment of checking the Maple Leafs top line and not only shutdown the trio of Mats Sundin, Tie Domi and Alex Steen, but outscored them in the process.

    The Canucks trailed 2-1 after the first period, but battled back on goals by Cooke and Burrows, playing in just his fifth NHL game, to take the lead heading into the third period.

    Vancouver goalie Alex Auld, who picked up his 16th win of the season, held the Leafs at bay in the third period, allowing just one goal on 17 shots as the Canucks were outshot 38-19 on the night.

    Chad Kilger, Alexander Khavanov and Steen scored for the Maple Leafs (24-16-3) while Jarkko Ruutu and Anson Carter had the other goals for Vancouver (24-14-5).

    Carter gave the Canucks a 4-2 lead eight minutes into the third period. Steen answered to cut the lead to one.

    Burrows' goal came with 3:15 to play in the second period after the 24-year-old came out from behind the Toronto net and fired a shot on Ed Belfour. The Maple Leaf goaltender got enough of the puck to prevent it from going in but couldn't stop the rebound that bounced off the chest of Steen and into the open net.
    Ya got lucky!!:p
    Paid in full.
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  19. #539
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    Leafs played better in last half of game, but it was closer than shots indicated.
    Leafs blocked 14 shots, so play was more balanced than reported.

    Would have ben nice to see what would have happened if McCabe and Jovo were playing...

    Nice to see Auld hold the fort

  20. #540
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    Messier joins New York championship icons



    Perhaps, Mark Messier was too naive to understand the pressure he faced upon arriving in New York.

    Or perhaps, he was simply as good as the legend that has grown exponentially in the Big Apple since he delivered a long-awaited Stanley Cup to the city's desperate hockey fans.
    Not even Messier is sure which is the case as he prepares to watch his No. 11 raised to the Madison Square Garden rafters Thursday night before a game against the Edmonton Oilers, the team with which he began his legendary career. It will be a final tribute for all Messier gave the Ranger franchise — and the city of New York — in his two tours of duty on Broadway.

    Messier's second tour of duty with the franchise ended this summer without fanfare when the 44-year-old Messier decided the lockout was too long a layoff to overcome.

    Wednesday, Messier talked about his career with the Rangers during an emotional press conference at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Throughout the press conference, an emotional Messier dabbed repeatedly at his eyes, trying to stem the tide of tears that refused to be held back as he recalled a decade of life-defining memories in New York.

    ''I was ready for just about anything that anybody could throw at me,'' Messier recalled of his arrival in October 1991, the centerpiece of a trade that sent three Rangers to Western Canada. ''I was ready for the challenge of winning the Stanley Cup. I was ready for this city. I wasn't intimidated about coming to New York.

    ''I was a little naive (about) exactly what I was getting in for even though I thought I knew what I was getting in for.''

    Messier, who won five Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, arrived in New York City in early October of 1991. He was billed upon his arrival as a charismatic leader and consistent point producer capable of carrying the long-suffering Rangers to the Stanley Cup, a trophy the franchise last claimed in 1940.

    Figuratively, the weight of the world was placed upon the considerably broad shoulders of the man they called "Moose." Amazingly, Messier never broke stride under the weight of such expectations.

    He remembers receiving an unexpected ovation — both thunderous and sustained — upon taking the ice at MSG for the first time as a Ranger.

    "I remember saying to myself, 'I will die trying to bring a Stanley Cup to the fans in New York,' " said Messier. "I didn't expect the ovation I got in my first game because, I thought, 'I haven't done anything here in New York.' "

    That's the thing about New York fans. They are full of love, but it is a conditional love. Consequently, New York can be a cruel place for sports heroes that fail to live up to their potential, suffocating under the scrutiny of the city's rabid fans. It has ended the careers of more than a few elite athletes — unwilling or incapable of handling the heat.

    But, the city can also be paradise for those that deliver the goods, as promised. Rightly, or wrongly, New York superstars seem to shine brighter than their counterparts in other cities.

    Heck, Phil Rizzuto — a slightly above-average shortstop for the New York Yankees during their dynastic run — is still larger than life here and has somehow earned his way into baseball's Hall of Fame. Joe Namath, the brash quarterback for the New York Jets who delivered the unlikeliest of championships to New York Jets fans remains a living legend in these parts. Willis Reed, still pictured unexpectedly limping out onto the Garden court for a playoff game, will always be one of the faces of the New York Knicks.

    It didn't take Messier long to realize the reverence residents of the self-proclaimed "Greatest City in the World" have for greatness in their midst. As he stated, it happened in his first game.

    The trick, however, was to stay on the good side of the team's fans.

    Messier did just that, joining New York's pantheon of heroes almost immediately as he revived the Ranger franchise, scoring 107 points in his first season with the Blueshirts and embracing the city and the team's fans with that special charisma that had won over so many others before his arrival in NYC.

    Two years later, Messier willed the team to the Stanley Cup title.

    That season, he scored 84 points and was a plus-25 as the Rangers recorded a league-best 112 points in the regular season. Just as importantly, he defused the time bomb that was coach Mike Keenan, uniting the players — his soldiers — in the common goal of securing a championship.


    Mark Messier poses with the Stanley Cup on Wednesday, which he won six times as a player. (Kathy Willens / Associated Press)

    But, that was just the beginning. In the playoffs, he showed why he is often known simply as "The Captain".

    As expected, the Rangers had little trouble in the first two rounds of the playoffs that year, but come the Eastern Conference finals, New York found itself in a dogfight with the New Jersey Devils — the upstart rivals across the Hudson River.

    Suddenly, Game 6 arrived — at the Meadowlands, no less — and the Rangers were on the brink of elimination. Messier boldly asserted that the Rangers would win the game the next night and return to MSG for a deciding Game 7.

    ''All I was thinking was to try to figure out a way how to make the players believe that I believed that we were going to win,'' Messier says.

    The rest, as they say, is history. Messier woke up the morning of Game 6 to find his promise pasted on the back pages of the city's tabloids, painting the player into a corner. He responded with a natural hat trick to earn the victory and force a Game 7, which was won by Stephane Matteau's goal — "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!" — in double overtime.

    Now, the Stanley Cup was in reach, with just the Vancouver Canucks standing in the way. Despite the fact that the series went seven gruelling games, there was little question that Messier — who finished the playoffs with 30 points in 23 games — would lead his troops to the promised land. So, there he was on June 14, again at MSG, leaping to the heavens after a taut 3-2 victory in Game 7, his infectious smile threatening to permanently soften his granite jaw as the Garden erupted in equal parts celebration and relief.

    The image of Messier taking the Stanley Cup — his personal property, it sometimes seems — that night at center ice will never fade. The unbridled joy as he vigorously shook the trophy above his head, beckoning his teammates to join the party will always be one of the game's enduring images. It is the picture of an elite leader at the height of his powers.

    Thursday night, the Rangers will celebrate all that Messier accomplished for their franchise in what promises to be an unforgettable ceremony at Madison Square Garden. At the end of it, his retired number, just the fourth retired sweater in the team's history, will reside right next to the 1994 Stanley Cup banner that symbolizes the greatest sporting triumph in Messier's long and distinguished 25-year NHL career.

    ''That's immediately where your eyes go to every time you come into the Garden," Messier said. "I think that symbolizes so many things to so many people. I don't look at it as my name, I look it as our team.

    ''It's my name on the back of the jersey but I don't look at it as me being raised to the rafters because I don't think any one individual can stand alone.''

    As usual, Messier was dead on. He can not stand alone.

    In New York, he has joined the city's other sporting legends in an exalted place deep in the hearts of New York's passionate and demanding fans.
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    Too bad Messier hung on for so long.

    He was done after he won cup in New York.

    His years in Vancouver were pathetic. A career power forward who decided he was a perimeter player here after he signs $6 million a year contract.

    Still, dude was a monster in playoffs. Played his ass off until Rangers won.

    Kinda weird his number is retired in New York. Shouldn't it be retired in Edmonton?

    I know New York is original six team but somehow the attachment to New York seems a little false.

    I guess a city that helped you score a few nights with Madonna will do that to a guy.
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    I'm trying to hold back with Messier, but I just can't

    It's one thing to have a 1 hour and 20 minute pre-game ceremony to honor a great player and retire his number.

    But it is quite another for said player to lift the hallowed Lord Stanley's Mug in a year when the Rangers did not win the Cup.

    WTF was that? Ummm, that Cup you won was over 10 years ago.

    Only in New York, I guess. Wait, maybe Toronto would have the gall to do such a thing.

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    A joke:

    Wayne GRETZKY is banging his wife doggie-style one night. He remembers that she's skipped a pill, and he's bareback, so he pulls out and blows his load on her back. She looks back and goes, "ohhh, messy, eh?"

    And Wayne says, "NOOOOO! It's WAYNE!!"
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    When Messier came here, Vancouver management thought it appropriate to take C away from Trevor Linden.

    The guy was a better player than messier at the time...Leetch and Richter won them that Cup.

    And to add insult to injury, Team gave Messier a retired number (Wayne Maki). They did not consult family or anything. Brutal.

    Messier had an exclusive deal with some sports company and so would not sign autographs for kids unless at company authorized function. $6 million a year was not enough cash, apparently...

    Brutal.
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    I dunno.' MESSIER still had the intangible of leadership...

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    Originally posted by Nickdfresh
    I dunno.' MESSIER still had the intangible of leadership...
    Not here. Seriously...he was collecting a cheque.

    Only thing I saw was good vision and anticipation.

    In Cup Final he was vicious. Elbowing Linden in the head when he was on one knee, after a hit.

    Dude played his whole life as the ultimate power forward and then comes here and plays like Jari Kurri.

    Not remembered fondly here.

    Stories of life-long season ticket holders, one guy had never missed a single minute of the Canucks since day 1, couldn't take it anymore.

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    I thought the same thing Flamma...about many things...

    1. It should have been retired in Edmonton long before New York...but you know...the fucking cup...

    2. UNFUCKING BELIEVABLE TO ME THAT HE HELD THE CUP...I know that noone won it last year...but that's fucking sacriledge...no way that should have happened...

    3. He was cashing a check the last few years of his career...not even a shadow of his former self...

    He was a great performer in the playoffs though...as he showed when Edmonton won after Gretz left, scoring 129 points that year...and with New York...

    Gretz NEVER won it after leaving Edmonton...

    that says something...
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    Hurricanes had a great week...

    beat Detroit...and Nashville...to tie Philly with 62 points for most in the league...

    and man do they have some quality players that are young...and Rob Brinda'mor is awake from the dead...

    two years ago...I think they had 80 points...already have 60 at the halfway point...

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    Originally posted by DavidFlamma


    But it is quite another for said player to lift the hallowed Lord Stanley's Mug in a year when the Rangers did not win the Cup.

    WTF was that? Ummm, that Cup you won was over 10 years ago.

    Only in New York, I guess. Wait, maybe Toronto would have the gall to do such a thing.
    Why not? The Cup belongs in Toronto anyway....
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    Originally posted by Full Bug
    Why not? The Cup belongs in Toronto anyway....
    Sure, it's only been, what, 38 years now ???

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    Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
    Sure, it's only been, what, 38 years now ???
    Got to give those stinkin' Leafs fans credit for loyalty, I guess.

    Haven't even been close. Ha!

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    Even the lowly Pittsburgh Penguins have two Cups since then.....

    Your Canuck boys are in town soon, right ??

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    Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
    Even the lowly Pittsburgh Penguins have two Cups since then.....
    Your Pens must have a little magic left in them. They came into Chicago the other night and somehow managed to get the Blackhawk's Jagoff owner to lift the home game blackout and televise the game in Chicago. 1st time that's happened in years.

    I think the league wants more kids to see Crosby develop as a player and hopefully help markets like Chicago get some new fans for the future. They even threw a mic on Martin LaPointe for his on-ice conversations with the kid.

    I personally hope the kid fills the net all year gets some big endorsement contract. More power to him.

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    I'm not 100% sure, but the blackout isn't lifted until the game is soldout, which it was.. 20K plus...

    But, as usual, they stunk up the joint....

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    how popular is youn Mr. Crosby, that he sells out the United Center for 2 bottom feeding teams? Oh well. At least my kids got to see it on TV.

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    Why is Sydney Crosby an alternate captain?

    Isn't that rushing things a bit?
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    IMO, it's not necessarily an indication of Crosby's leadership qualities, which certainly are admirable for an 18 year old....

    Rather, I think it was Thierren's attempt at lighting a fire under some of these veterans' collective buttocks...

    Obviously, it didn't work....

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    Originally posted by Alex Mogilny
    Why is Sydney Crosby an alternate captain?

    Isn't that rushing things a bit?
    Probably a scam they put together with CCM to sell more NHL licensed jerseys. Stores can sell a whole lot more Crosby with the "A" sweaters.

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    They're not selling them with an "A" in Pittsburgh yet, I just bought one for my son at XMAS time...

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    Hang on to it, as it might be a collectors item in a few years when he is hoisting the Cup in a Redwings sweater.....

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