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Thread: The Official NHL Thread

  1. #1241
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    Originally posted by Full Bug
    Whats wrong with that? Its not like Buffalo sells out every game, not even close.....With them in the Playoffs I'm sure the bandwagon jumpers will come out in full force....
    Nope. Not like the old days...

    Actually, they do sell out almost every game in the regular season now.

    I couldn't get tickets when I was back in town.
    Some are irritated that season tickets holders now sell them to Torontonians while the average Joe here that can't afford season tickets, or can't make the commitment, now has a hard time seeing a game...
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    Almost every game?
    http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/s...183&hbx=e_vert
    "The Sabres played to 18 sold-out games at HSBC Arena this year compared to 12 in 2003-04."
    I will admit its an improvement....
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  3. #1243
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    Dude, those are last years attendance figures...

    They (presumably) sold out every game...

    http://sports.canada.com/default.asp...ENDANCE122.htm
    Last edited by Nickdfresh; 04-09-2007 at 05:34 PM.

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    All I know is, Buffalo will outsell Toronto about 18,000 to zero for the remainder of the post-season!

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    Want to talk about bullshit, I suffer through the worst season in Flyers history and we can't even get the #1 pick in a fucking weighted lottery!

    Fuck this lottery shit! Give the worst team the #1 pick!
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    You can thank Ottawa for throwing games way back...

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    Cherry Joins NBC's Cup Coverage

    Joanne C. Gerstner for The Detroit News

    Will America go crazy for a sharp-dressed man from Canada?

    We'll know soon, as CBC icon Don Cherry joins NBC's Stanley Cup Finals coverage.

    Details have yet to be ironed out, but Cherry and NBC analyst Brett Hull, a former Red Wing, will guest on each other's networks.

    It's a shame it's taken this long for the outspoken Cherry and his unique wardrobe to migrate across the border.

    We've been lucky in Metro Detroit, as "Hockey Night in Canada" and Cherry's staple "Coach's Corner" have been available for decades.

    "A lot of people have written that what I say up here, I'd never get away with it down in the States," Cherry said during a conference call Tuesday. "I'll just go on and do what I have to do. In the States, they wanted me to go on one time in Pittsburgh. Jaromir Jagr had the long hair and he was with Mario Lemieux, and I said, 'There's Mario and his daughter.' That didn't go over too good. That was maybe my last time in the States."

    That's Cherry in a nutshell. He doesn't care what people think about him. He's going to do what he wants, whether that's kissing Dougie Gilmour, opining about "soft" European players or going off on a tangent that requires serious intervention from moderator Ron MacLean.

    And let's pray he brings out the whole arsenal on NBC, from a tartan plaid suit with a polka-dotted tie to a nice rant on why the NHL needs more fighting.

    I asked Cherry why some reporters wondered if he could connect with an American audience.

    "I don't know," he said. "They tell me I'm great at it but I've always, when I went down there (U.S.), I seem to have a lot of problems somehow, like in Pittsburgh. I think the Jagr thing got people upset.

    "But I love Detroit. One time I went down there for the (Bob) Probert-(Troy) Crowder fight, and I got a standing ovation from the crowd."

    Things could get interesting -- Cherry will be on NBC without MacLean's calming presence. But no worries if Cherry hits it big in the U.S. He's vowing loyalty to MacLean and CBC.

    "I'll always stick with Ron. He and I have got something going," Cherry said. "He keeps me on the right track."

    The Detroit News
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    I love Don Cherry, even when I hate 'em!

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    I actually agreed with his assessment of the Sens' performance last night....

    They shot their load last night, it's just one game....

    http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hnic...fensively.html
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    For the last couple of years, Cherry has been muzzled quite a bit, due to various insensitive comments (Frenchman and visors)

    There is new leadership at the CBC that wants Cherry to be the old very controversial self.

    This should be good.

    The Canucks look like a charmed team.

    Since Christmas, they are by far the best team in hockey. With Luongo in net, they may win it all this year.

    The Pens looked overmatched. Could be jitters though.

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    Oh yeah, they were jittery as hell....

    I spew about it in my blog...

  12. #1252
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    Originally posted by DavidFlamma
    For the last couple of years, Cherry has been muzzled quite a bit, due to various insensitive comments (Frenchman and visors)

    There is new leadership at the CBC that wants Cherry to be the old very controversial self.

    This should be good.

    The Canucks look like a charmed team.

    Since Christmas, they are by far the best team in hockey. With Luongo in net, they may win it all this year.

    The Pens looked overmatched. Could be jitters though.
    Give me a break with your Canucks shit, man. They've always sucked, always will. 1/2 a good season out of how many? They'll blow it.

    GO FLAMES!!!
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    Its a shame that NBC's east coast biased is gonna prevent them from shownig any of the Predators-Sharks series.

    I know everyone wants to see Sid the Kid, but Preds-Sharks is turning into a war.

    Ron Wilson is already pissing and moaning.
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    Of course, if you had Center Ice, you could watch whatever series you wanted.....

    I've had Center Ice for 5 years now, don't know how I lived without it... Missed one Pens game in that time (pre-TIVO)....

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    Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
    Of course, if you had Center Ice, you could watch whatever series you wanted.....

    I've had Center Ice for 5 years now, don't know how I lived without it... Missed one Pens game in that time (pre-TIVO)....
    I get Preds games. I just wish the rest of the country could see this series. If the first 2 games are any indication, this series is gonna be fun....

  16. #1256
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    Well, thank God Versus network is finally carrying Hockey here (they were blacked out for a while)...

  17. #1257
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    I think the Preds were on Versus once this year.

    Oh well, they are on Monday... If you want to see and old fashioned grudge match, I'd tune in...
    Last edited by SilvioDante; 04-14-2007 at 10:03 AM.

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    I'm not totally happy with the refereeing, but a much better job this year in the playoffs than last.

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    I agree the officiating sucks. Guerin tripped Forsberg last night. They called Guerin for a trip and a dive on Forsberg. How can that happen!!

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    Originally posted by SilvioDante
    I agree the officiating sucks. Guerin tripped Forsberg last night. They called Guerin for a trip and a dive on Forsberg. How can that happen!!
    Very easily.

    I didn't see the play, but it is a good call when the player being tripped embellishes by acting like he has been shot by a sniper.

    This isn't soccer...

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    Still sucks balls...Oh well, we won, Wilson's pissed...

    All's right with the world again.

  22. #1262
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    I actually love that call.

    It is possible that there is a tripping infraction and a dive on the same play.

    Soccer is basically unwatchable because they allow those pansies to flop around the "pitch".

    Give me a sport where a guy breaks his hand and doesn't want to miss a shift.

    Ryan Kesler did exactly that in the Canucks 7-period overtime win.

    He had surgery yesterday and is out 4-5 weeks, with pins inserted in his hand.

    Hockey is the best sport on the planet.

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    Originally posted by DavidFlamma
    Give me a sport where a guy breaks his hand and doesn't want to miss a shift.

    Ryan Kesler did exactly that in the Canucks 7-period overtime win.

    He had surgery yesterday and is out 4-5 weeks, with pins inserted in his hand.

    Hockey is the best sport on the planet.
    I agree. Unequivocally. I only wish more people realized that.
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    Didn't Kjell Sammuelson get like 80 stitches during a playoff game one time and still played in the game afterwards.

    I am not gonna say hockey is my favorite sport, but there is NOTHING like playoff hockey, end of story!

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    Check out what I just bought...I only paid 75 euros (~90 dollars?) for this CCM replica jersey...it's got JAGR #68 on it...I know he wasn't at his best in the Capitals, I know they're not in the playoffs, and I know he doesn't play there anymore...but Caps have a very cool jersey...and it's JAGR we're talking about...these usually cost at least 160-180 euros plus mail if you order them from the North America...

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    Jagr looked like he was in his prime last night with 4 assists versus Atlanta.

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    The Canucks are a team of destiny. They will win the Cup this year.

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    No one's biting?

    Ok, every team in the NHL but the Nucks sucks ass.

    Seriously, I can't believe the mugging Crosby is getting.

    Some serious no-calls there.

    Good defence too, with layers of defenders if Crosby happens to get by the first, he is stopped soon enough.

    Where's Malkin?

    Too soft, I think.

    Maybe next year.

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    Originally posted by DavidFlamma
    The Canucks are a team of destiny. They will win the Cup this year.
    I've actually betted on New Jersey from the East and either San Jose, Calgary or Vancouver to play against them in the Finals...I'd win hundreds of euros if it happens...

  30. #1270
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    It will be Vancouver or Anaheim from the West

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    I missed part of period 1, but of what I've seen so far, Pens don't look too hot. If it weren't for a couple of Fleury saves, it would be a lot worse than down 1.

    As a team, they just seem in over their heads right now. A couple of players are doing well (across the board), but in general.

    Hell, 2 shots in the final 16 minutes of the 1st period is not all that hot, especially when you're playing a do or die game.

    I hope they catch a lucky break (screw it, I'll take what I can get!) and then maybe that'll light a fire underneath them.

  32. #1272
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    I just typed a novel on the Pens on my blog....

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    Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
    I just typed a novel on the Pens on my blog....
    Too bad you don't post here much anymore

    I'll go read it anyways

  34. #1274
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    From VA's Blog:


    Game 5 - Sens 3, Pens 0; Hold your heads up high boys, the future is bright….
    Posted: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 01:31:59 +0000
    All good things must come to an end, or so they say.

    Yes, the Penguins’ season frustratingly ended last night in Ottawa. Understandably, an athlete’s competitive nature makes it a difficult pill to swallow that his season is over, and ended in defeat.

    A big tip of the hat goes to the Ottawa Senators. You can’t play much better than the Sens did these five games, absolutely every aspect of their game was outstanding. The execution of their penalty kill clears out of the zone, against one of the best powerplays in the NHL, was at times nearly flawless. Their physical play gave the Pens a rude awakening into what playoff hockey is all about. Can the Sens win the Cup ?? Quite possibly, but let’s see what the Sens do against a team with better defense and a powerplay that’s not tipped to the left (more on that later).

    However, that group of mostly very young men in the Pens’ locker room has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. If you would have asked them before the season started what their goals were, and after the prerequisite answer of winning the Stanley Cup was glossed over, you would have heard most of them say, “make the playoffs”.

    Well, not only did the accomplish their goal, they did it in overwhelmingly grand style. The Pens were the toast of the NHL. Selling out nearly everywhere they went, including rare sellouts in places like Phoenix. An amazing season series sweep of the Flyers. A 14-0-2 points streak.

    But the Pens got what some would call a bad break when it came to playoff seeding when they had to meet Ottawa, arguably the best team in the NHL since the new year (the Pens were right up there as well). The alternatives weren’t much better, in reference to how the Pens had played against other playoff teams such as Tampa Bay or New Jersey. In hindsight, a slight Pens slump at the end of the season may have had the Pens facing Atlanta in the opening round.

    But that was not to be, and the Senators really slapped the Pens around for the vast majority of the series. With the exception of the 3rd period of Game two, and stretches of Game 4, the Sens totally stymied the Pens.

    However, more importantly for the future success of the Penguins, the Senators made it painfully obvious what the needs of this team are. Moreover, those in the Pens’ management really need to watch tapes of this playoff series closely, as I’m sure they will, to see how the Pens can not only be a playoff team, but a Stanley Cup contender, and soon.

    It doesn’t take Scotty Bowman to see what is the Pens bread and butter, of course that’s the powerplay.

    However, even with world-class talent like Crosby and Malkin along with powerplay specialist Gonchar on the 1st powerplay unit, they became woefully stale, and teams eventually realized their weakness.

    The Pens started around the beginning of the new year on the powerplay to experiment with Crosby going backdoor to Whitney, and it was very successful. For about three weeks, I should say. It didn’t take too long for teams that were scouting the Pens to quickly take that backdoor pass away. Once they took that pass away, the Pens’ opponents realized that Whitney, although a good passing defenseman, was no threat at all in terms of shooting the puck from the point, especially as the 5th left-handed player on the Pens #1 powerplay unit. So because they had nothing to worry about with Whitney, what the penalty killers started to do was fall back on the PK, basically making it a 4 on 4, and therefore leaving virtually no room for Sid to work his magic. That’s why during the playoffs you saw so many of Sid’s passes be deflected before reaching their destination.

    So, as most Pens fans have been screaming for years now, for the Pens powerplay to become lethal, they must go out and get a right-handed defenseman. Kris Letang may be one answer. Letang played seven games for the Pens before being sent back to Juniors, and had two goals (one nice goal, one fluke). Alex Goligoski may be another, although he hasn’t decided whether he’ll continue at the Univ. of Minnesota or turn pro. Goligoski led the NCAA in points for D-men this year. While having the youngsters with the big boys would be great, a free agent coming in to fill that void would be much welcomed as well.

    The question on the defense becomes; If Ray Shero brings in a free agent D-man, as well as Letang and/or Goligoski going pro, does that finally mean that Pens fans can say goodbye to Rod Scuderi and Joe Melichar ?? Not to be critical, but I sure hope so.

    I’ll get into the free agents in a second.

    Improving the powerplay would help the Pens out a lot, but not as much as it would if they had some punch on the 1st line with Crosby. Having a sniper on Crosby’s wing lessons the chance that the defense could double-team Crosby on his many rushes down ice. I just can’t see the Pens continuing to sputter around with “character guys” on Crosby’s wings.

    So I think most Pens fans would love to see some help to come in, but can the team afford spend big bucks to fill in those holes ??

    First and foremost, the Pens will very soon have to start dishing out some major cash to young stars such as Whitney, Fleury, and next year, Crosby. In reference to the defense, the Pens only have 3 D-men signed for next year (not including Letang, and not including Whitney, who is a restricted FA), those being Gonchar, Orpik, and Eaton. Both Fleury and Crosby both become RFA’s after next season (just take 20% of the salary cap and assign that to Sid). Malkin and Staal both become RFA’s the year after Sid. Role players such as Armstrong, Talbot, Ouellet, and Christensen are all RFA’s this offseason. In addition, Thibault is a UFA now as well, and there’s a feeling he may explore other avenues to attempt to become a starting goalie once again. Good luck with that.

    There are several other prominent unrestricted free agents that could very well be out the door, such as Ekman, Petrovicky, Melichar, Kwiatowski and Scuderi. Then of course, you also have veterans Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts who are both UFA’s now. Recchi has indicated his desire to return once again to the Pens, while Roberts hasn’t given any hints as of yet. While I’d love the Pens to resign Roberts, something just tells me that he’s going to head north, whether that means Ottawa or Toronto. Recchi could be interesting, he really seemed to lose some steam late in the year.

    Obviously, just by looking at that list of potential free agents, in addition to Shero’s possible desires to reshape the makeup of this team, there could be a lot of new faces next year.

    If the Pens were to remain in the Igloo for several more years, I would say that their prospects for a significant increase in their payroll would be slim to none. But with the new arena coming in a couple of years, with season tickets sales sure to increase as well, the Pens should surely be in the upper portion of the NHL’s salary cap in the near future.

    So Pens fans will watch the remainder of the Stanley Cup playoffs, most likely with a little scowl on their face, and countdown the days until the draft (with a low pick, finally), the start of free agency, and the start of training camp.

    Great season boys, can’t wait to get it going again.

  35. #1275
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    Alot of the Pens success depends on how much the cap goes up.

    The Pens are in trouble down the road with the cap. I say, lose Fleury. Staal is going to be better than his brother. I just don't see Fleury - as cool as his pads are - as being an elite goalie.

    Malkin needs some off-season conditioning for strength.

    As you said, the PP was predictable. Crosby was mugged this postseason. Basically, there were no calls because the Pens weren't carrying the play...necessary to get calls in today's playoffs.

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    And now we find out that Crosby played the last two months of the season with a broken bone in his foot....

    Amazing.....

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    I worry about Malkin a bit.

    For some of his ilk, it is a very long season.

    By the time the post-season rolls around, his heart is just not in it.

    I hope he comes around.

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    He admitted that he was really tired, he didn't realize how intense the playoffs would be...

    The Russian Super League isn't physical at all, and even their playoffs aren't much different....

    He'll improve next year...

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    Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
    And now we find out that Crosby played the last two months of the season with a broken bone in his foot....

    Amazing.....
    That kid quits his whining and he'll leave a lot bigger legacy than just the stats he puts up.

    This was definitely a step in the right direction, though. His biting his lip in the last few playoff games was another good sign.

    Talent's there. So is heart. Mind's just about there. Other pieces are starting to fit into place. A good off-season and we should still be talking about how Sid led the Pens through this time (and a lot further) next year.

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    Anyone got a take on the "no goal" in the Sabres/Rangers game last night that might have a HUGE part to do with the series' outcome?

    I watched a quite a few shows, listening to the different opinions. Was there white ice between the goal line and the puck? The WHOLE puck?

    I vote good call. Not conclusive. The puck was on it's side and there was clearly white. Just not between the ENTIRE puck and the goal line. At least to these eyes. Anyone else see it/have a call?

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