YOUR NHL 2008-2009 THREAD (INCLUDING DETROIT CUP HANGOVER OFFSEASON SHENANIGANS. HOCKEY IS THE BEST)

Nikki and Osgood were on Leno tonight!

One link I was sent is the Detroit radio call from Ken Kal, who was apparently sick and lost his voice but was brought in to do the last 5 seconds? Not sure how accurate that is but it's still pretty good.

http://www.971theticket.com/episode_download.php?contentType=36&contentId=2520235

Also, Hasek retires. I figure it's about time to go find a Marc-Andre Fleury clone.

Also also, I see at that link above the Chicago Wolves won the AHL. The Blackhawks should steal a few of their players.

caps sign jose theodore to two-year deal

rumors abt edmonton pursuing hossa have me excited

avs sign andrew raycroft lol

The Wings signed the Pens' backup goalie and re-signed Lilija. No other big moves. I understand the rationale behind getting veteran goaltending but I still think it's time to develop a younger player.

conklin is cheap and decent. wings resigned brad stuart too.

welcome home, cujo

fuckin why would carolina unload erik cole

fuck that shit, people around here are gonna be pissed, he is very well-loved

fuckin tampa needs to stop signing penguins

huet to chicago! cory stillman to florida!

I am like more pissed about this than I have been about a trade in a long time. we'll just dish away the heart of the team for a defenseman with 8 goals. fucking GREAT. I mean OK Brind'amour. But Erik Cole is kinda the "local" kid because he came up with the 'Canes.

sometimes I really hate the offseason

Wheeler could turn out to be somethin' for the Bruins though

where will Hossa end up

HOSSA

how do the rangers have cap space for these contracts

I'm happy we signed Brad Stuart. He showed in the playoffs that he wasn't going to be the massive liability many (myself included) thought he might be. Picking up Ty Conklin is interesting and shows that we're going to make an honest attempt at repeating considering Osgood will likely taper off before the playoffs putting Jimmy Howard in his first starting role.

I should add, Jimmy Howard is completely underrated and I'll make a bold prediction: he'll have a hype train within the next year or two. As a Maine fan I had the opportunity to watch him quite a bit and loved when he played for Grand Rapids. I was also impressed with the few minutes he got last year and in '06.

how do the rangers have cap space for these contracts

My Rangers question for the day: anyone know someone in Bern that will be at the Rangers/Magnitka match? Should be an exciting one to end the preseason. I only have cap space for one non-Boston match a year and that spot will soon be filled by the Winter Class in Chicago.

hossa to detroit (!) for one year (?) at $7.4 m (?)

GAY

fucking Detroit

lol

so much for celebrating the Habs' 100th anniversary with a Cup

How is Pitkanen a good enough player for a straight-up trade for Cole? Is it a cap space thing?

goddamn, Avery and Ott on the same team - Dallas will be fun to play against

I wonder if Bryan Murray in Ottawa's got anything planned, as it stands there are some gaping holes in the team. Auld's a good backup (or maybe tandem, if Gerber flops back to bad) goalie, but we need another top 4 defenseman desperately, and some energy wingers who aren't from the isle of misfit toys (sorry, McAmmond / Donovan)

you will have one line and like it

The $7.4 million that Hossa will earn next season, is the most Detroit would pay anyone - even an unrestricted free agent. The Red Wings were insistent that no one earn more money than six-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom.

Kudos to the classy Red Wings organization

I'm loving it!

Kudos to the classy Red Wings organization

I'm not sure if this was sarcasm, but ... Hossa could’ve gone elsewhere and earned more, but does this mean he really deserves more? Especially when put next to a four-time Stanley Cup winner, a nine time All Star and winner of six Norris trophies and one Conn Smythe trophy? The Wings are correct, Hossa does not deserve the highest salery if on the same club as Nikki Lidstrom—the best defenseman to have ever played the game. End of story.

Really, what does Hossa have to say for his career? Some odd W and CHL trophies? He’s overvalued in the market and he went with a club where he could actually prove something.

Blah, blah, blah.

I’m still loving it!

No sarcasm - I think it is very commendable that they held their ground at the risk of scaring off a highly-sought free agent. It is very respectful of Lidstrom and his contribution, and a message that this is who the franchise is built around.

In light of all the madness, Detroit once again proved why they are a class above all other teams.

I think it's a testament to the organization, too. Players want to go there and the team brass has shown they'll be loyal to those who stick around. Everyone knows McCarty was playing beer league hockey before Ken Holland went and got him back on the team, and then they go win the Cup.

ottawa just signed jarkko ruutu

if the pens can't re-sign orpik i'm gonna poop or something

ruutu, seriously? i was looking at all of the remaining right wingers a second ago thinking "i guess there's ruutu, but what's the point?"

at this point i am REAAALLLLLY ohping they trade antoine vermette to the habs, because he's pretty much the only part of that organization i still like and i am ready to assimilate into the habs fans.

well, ruutu's certainly an energy winger, and he actually has decent hands (and is curiously good on penalty shots). he's an asset if he doesn't take too many dumb penalties. pittsburgh will miss him.

you got your orpik back, mookie. <3

hail satan

miro's not better than hossa but all you really need is someone to be a trigger man for crosby i.e. shut up and shoot; occasionally go to net.

so Naslund left Vancouver for the rangers, Morrison may leave, Linden retired, and if this crazy Sundin gamble goes belly up we will have exactly... what?

Our big picks ups are Johnson, Baumgartner, and Hordichuk, who I am confident will become the nucleus of a major Cup run this year or next... or something. Luongo's under contract for 2 more years and we've got the Sedin twins up front. Just the Sedin twins.

god bless mats sundin, but $20m/2yrs is insane. and if he doesn't take it, there aren't too many guys left to pick up.

http://gfhl.net/Images/Canucks/Snepts.jpg

make the call

Ha, try to run over our stars now, Chris Neil!

is that in ref. to the laraque deal?

cos he can't watch jarkko AND neil.

which reminds me: the sens are a fucking gong show, i need a new team.

your ontario options are limited to say the least, my friend.

http://www.guelphstorm.com/

I think I'll just watch Angelo Esposito play in Verdun this year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3473421

Jags to Russia to live life as farmer, mob pawn

Thierry Henry knows what the fuck is up.

http://cdn.nhl.com/images/upload/2008/07/Thierry%20Henry%20store.jpg

(they could at least have hooked him up with the real cup, but that picture is so great I'm not going to complain)

fuck that guy

lol I was expecting that

Holy shit! Who knew?

http://sidowsky83.com/music/images/snoop_pens.JPG

g's up, wings down

This has probably been posted on another thread, but it's my favourite hockey-related Snoop moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTa3h7pN8J0

The HNIC on HNIC.

I think this year, even more than last, I'm going to be a Hawks fan. Khabibulin Out

err he isn't ACTUALLY out i am calling for it to happen, just fyi

Is there a fuckin' moratorium on this thread until Sundin signs or something?

I've been too busy mourning the loss of Scotty Bowman.

grrr

I've also been busy welcoming Brad McCrimmon back!

So, seriously ... FAP after the Winer Classic on New Years, right?

wonder if they'll ever have one of those in canada :|

Didn't they already, in Edmonton? Oh wait, that wasn't the "Winter Classic" was it...

Is there an outdoor stadium with the capacity for the "spectacle" they're trying to go for? (honest question, the only one I know of is BMO Field and it's like 20,000)

Actually, Edmonton is probably the only place that can host something like that. I can't remember the name of the stadium, but for soccer I think it's Canada's only 5-star.

oh man I don't know if this has been posted before but LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOEEk01OCFY

Oh Mats Sundin...

...I can't decide if being a Leafs fan is funny or tragic. How is it even possible that their front office is more dysfunctional than the on-ice "product"? I'm sensing another very long year which will end with them hitting the links early again.

Mr.Balsillie, please come and save me. I will even buy a couple of Blackberrys if that will help. Then I'll be like every other suit-wearing jackass in the Air Canada Centre eating roast beef and taking up a seat that could go to an actual fan.

vancouver's been in this weird state since this new GM came on. everyone thinks he's crazy, but we want to believe so much that we're not really naming it yet. i don't think anyone is expecting sundin at this point...

and apparently mark parrish is our plan B. huh.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9863/screwsundinmb9.gif

aaaargh.

Mats, just get it over with and sign with the Habs. No other team is a more perfect fit for the guy right now.

I can't decide if being a Leafs fan is funny or tragic. How is it even possible that their front office is more dysfunctional than the on-ice "product"? I'm sensing another very long year which will end with them hitting the links early again.

It's going to get worse before it gets better. Much, much worse.

Anticipation is building. I saw a story that Hossa deferred his usual number 18 to Kirk Maltby and is going with 81 instead. Dude knows his place!

Did you hear about the 82-0 women's game?

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Finally-video-evidence-of-Slovakia-s-82-0-slaug?urn=nhl,107581

good start ><

Blues defenseman Erik Johnson injured his right knee in a golf-related incident on Wednesday and will miss the start of training camp, which begins Friday.

"This is a hard one to believe, but it's the God's honest truth . . . he was playing golf and he pulled the golf cart up to where his ball was," Davidson said. "And he took his left leg and put it on the ground and the right leg, he sort of reached back and put it on the brake. A lot of us do it . . . I do it all the time myself. As he pushed the brake, he missed a little bit, his leg got caught under there and he slipped and that wrenched his knee.

The gay Sean Avery interview on ESPN is pretty sweet. Also I did not see him at Marc Jacobs when I was there!

wow, Zetterberg-esque

http://hockeyhype.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/hayden-panettiere-stanley-cup-01.jpg

(for the record that's the second img in thr gis for "stanley cup")

i hope she's licking the '94 rangers

I'm not going to read too much into one win, or delude myself into thinking that this team is going anywhere this year, but last night the Maple Leafs played like they haven't in years. This new, younger version is fast, and they play with heart (something that has been sorely lacking around these parts for a while now). They were forechecking, backchecking, blocking shots, and generally played as though they cared about the outcome. Toskala was very solid and Moore, Kulemin, Toskala as well as (18 year-old) Luke Schenn all looked great. It's likely to be another long year, and at this point, nobody sane would pick them as a playoff team, but Toronto fans could be in for some entertaining hockey played by a bunch of kids who should only get better. I can't think of the last time I've been able to say that.

Looked like a pretty good game, tho I didn't catch the whole thing. Homer looked like he's on form already. How 'bout that banner-raising ceremony eh? Brings a tear to m'eye.

Am I going to be the first to step up?

2008-2009 Predictions

Stanley Cup: Detroit Red Wings

Repeating is not impossible.

Most Valuable Player: Zetterberg

Boring.

Hart Trophy: Ovechkin

Crosby plays for the Pens, Zetterberg won’t be on the Datsuk line. This could be a lock (if Ovechkin somehow disappears, my money is on Ignila).

Norris Trophy: Lidstrom

As a Bostonian, I declared Lidstrom to be the greatest defenseman in the history of the sport. A strange move considering Orr picked up the trophy eight times. Yet, here we are. Lidstrom will pick up his seventh and come just two trophies away from surpassing Orr. By the way, at this point I can say with certainty that Lidstrom is not only the best defenseman to have played the game, he’s the best player of my lifetime.

However, I expect we’ll hear some crying from Phaneuf supporters.

Selke Trophy: Datsyuk

The line split should secure the trophy to either Datsyuk or Zetterberg. My gut says Datsyuk.

Rookie: Stamkos

Boring.

Coach: Carbonneau

The Canadiens will secure the Northeast with ease. Too bas this will be their only metal.

Regarding Toronto: We’re one week in and everyone’s already proclaiming them to be spoilers. Toronto fans need to pack their bags, move to Chicago and take up baseball. Nothing to see here, move on.

Am I going to be the first to step up?

2008-2009 Predictions

Stanley Cup: Heart says MTL -- they've won at east one a decade... but I go Pens. Detroit Red Wings' goalie-go-round starts again.

Most Valuable Player: Fleury

Boring.

Hart Trophy: Ovechkin

This could be one of those things where Ove and Backstrom and Crosby and Malkin split the vote 4 times tho.

Norris Trophy: Lidstrom

He basically has it until he quits.

Selke Trophy: Datsyuk

Rookie: Drew Doughty (LAK)

CONTROVERSY

Coach: Carbonneau

second to step up, obv.

Also, Ro-Lo gets the Vezina

Ro-Lu

what has 9 arms and doesn't understand hockey?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/No-one-gave-Def-Leppard-the-Stanley-Cup-instruct?urn=nhl,113984

omfg

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/images/2008/10/14/hockey_2.jpg

i hope you're happy now dan

My Red Wings weekend update:

- Pavel Datsyuk is unquestionably the best player in the NHL right now.

- Tomas Holmstrom is 35 and was a mid-200’s draft pick. His eleven goals in the playoffs hinted at him peaking late, but now I’ll say it: he’ll be a top 10 player this year.

League wide:

The Sabres rebandwagoning began yesterday.

Picture and twenty-five votes aside, both the Michigan 11th and 12th are safe.

Also, the Bush and McCarty exchange was sort-of endearing. Especially considering that alcoholism still plays a major role in the sport.

I know we’ve joked about it in previous threads but hockey does play a significant role in Michigan. Mike Cox, Michigan’s attorney general, who will likely be the 2010 GOP gubernatorial candidate gave the entire RNC Michigan delegation custom RNC jerseys. Actually, those jerseys were mistaken for Red Wings jerseys during the convention.

One more piece of trivia: Cox’s date for the convention was Gordie Howe.

My mom is a Hockey Mom, but just like everyone who grew up in the Southeast, she’s a Union Mom first, therefore this shirt: http://www.zazzle.com/hockey_mama_for_obama_shirt-235503521659165850 would be more appropriate.

bruins not looking too good so far :/

2x Allen re: Datsyuk & Homer

The Michigan 1st is safe, too afaik.

Mike Cox can suck cox.

What a difference a couple years and one dead owner makes. The Wings are in Chicago tomorrow night, 3rd-tier tix are ~$50. Two years ago they could be had for $15.

(I mean, the Hawks have come a long way, but still -- I used to be able to go to those games and buy a ticket 10 minutes before the puck dropped)

can't minnesota just hurry up and trade gaborik and get it over with already?

http://chicagoist.com/2008/10/29/winter_classic_ticket_prices_announ.php

o_O

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2989262058_053e2ce818.jpg

also, nick zherdev is kind of awesome

The Winter Classic tickets are absurd. Apparently my cousin is roommates with one of Rocky’s daughters so I might have an in … eh.

the Canucks - Ducks game last night was incredible. 2-1 Ducks after the first period, I figure it's going to coast to the end like this, nothing special. Then the Canucks take a 4-2 lead on a shorthanded goal from Burrows. The Ducks pull Giguere, and the Canucks promptly score on their first shot against Hiller, it's 5-2. Ok, it's over! Then, in the last 5 minutes of the second period, the Ducks score three goals to tie it. 5-5. Canucks go up 6-5 midway through the third, but Perry scored with less than 1 minute to go, 6-6.

Ok, overtime. Then the shootout. they go through 13 shooters apiece before Ohlund scores the winner for Vancouver. End score is 7-6.

^yeah that sounds awz

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fw7iF68JR8k/SQ_TpHetj7I/AAAAAAAAWcA/uTJGzFZm3tw/s1600-h/-1.jpg

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8766/jokeje5.jpg

how about those penguins

jesus fucking christ of all the games to be on the nationwide broadcast

just as i was saying 'detroit is a machine, nobody is beating them this year'....

I might be starting to believe my friends that want to say Osgood is on the way out. They're the same people that were supporting Hasek last year. Either way, what a crazy game.

UH

stopping was and should continue to be illegal

lol barry melrose

guys: http://atdhe.net/

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=258182&l...s=topStory_nhl

they just wanted to avoid a situation where phaneuf killed him

sundin to vancouver... lol?

definite lols: Wings 6-0 Sharks, Hawks 9-2 Oilers

outdoor hockey is the best gimmick the NHL came up with out of a whole grab bag of gimmicks

also A+ for singing O Canada

ty conklin, outdoor hockey hero

lol at newfie dan cleary saying he used to skate on the ocean

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3290004848_78e240f08b_o.gif

thought this was interesting

I've got to admit I haven't been paying attention to the league lately

also this one: now including Canada!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3290010442_f9cc5f2ee1_o.png

the other day i added the nassau mausoleum to my collection of hockey arenas i've sat in the top row of

I call bullshit on both florida and minnesota numbers.

i call bullshit on the entire southeast division

geez the canucks have been a horrible rollercoaster this year.

u crazy fo this one rick

ryan whitney to anaheim
chris kunitz and eric tangradi to pittsburgh

two big trades of don't give a shit.

sorry, the kings haven't made any important deals in twenty years

unless you count acquiring or getting rid of rob blake

real talk :\

Further, I'm not even 50% sure that trade is going to do anything for the Pens' offense in the near term, which is sort of a problem, because it's not like last year when they were more or less secure in their PO positioning and could afford to break Hossa in.

yeah, i'm not sure it really gains the pens much besides getting rid of an underperforming and overpaid defenseman, which i'm okay with

Oh, btw, Brodeur becomes only the second goalie in history to break triple digits in shutouts.

also, the cocksucker who put Ava/Isles on as a national game should be tried for crimes against humanity

ugh bill guerin

au revoir, guy carbonneau

YEAH SON PLAYOFFS WHAT

THIS SEASON I HAVE BECOME WHAT I SO LONG HATED: A PLAYOFFS-ONLY FAN

maybe I should just give up and start following the hawks... but it seems so dirty

just don't root for the blue jackets.

For some reason MSG isn't coming in for me and I can't watch the Rangers game and the Pens and Devils games are basically forgone conclusions @ this point...

GOBLOOZ

blooz looz

i was at the canucks game! it was great, aside from the inordinate amt of penalties on both sides.

so the sedins are unrestricted free agents this summer. do they only come as a package?

i am very envious, derrick

has anyone else been to a real, live PO game?

i went to some caps playoff games in '98

and a canada cup game in montreal in '91

Let's go Sharks, c'moooooonnnnnn

I am going to see Carolina-NJ on Sunday night. If Carolina is down 2-0 at that point I am gonna be pissed.

Calgary/Chicago all tied up with 4 to go...

Overtime...

wau

kind of awesome, but maybe should have been interference on ladd

okay, back to the sharks game... let's gooooo....

kinda boring game

but i'm only really listening to it, so maybe not

It has been exciting as hell, radio has failed you as a medium.

yeah, sorry

i blame ron wilson

has anyone else been to a real, live PO game?

I saw the Wings get eliminated in 07 :(

Watched the games (det/col and chi/cal) in a bar tonight and caught a LOT of shit for being a Wingfan... to which I said "that just sounds like 46 years of butthurt, guys".

det/col does not equal what it previously equaled

col? clb? wtf

lol @ si.com preview that sez "North Carolina Hurricanes"

playoff hockey is great, and it was wonderful live. a friend might get tickets to the second round as well, if we make it, but i'm working the BC provincial election, and stuck working every evening until may 12th. so my only chance to see more hometown playoff hockey is for us to make the conference finals! am following along on the cbc website now, in between canvassing shifts!

and yep, the sedins come together - it's a clause they want in their contracts, that neither will be traded w/o the other. and naturally, they won't entertain UFA deals that don't include the package deal. this really limits their options in free agency - few teams are able, i imagine, to clear the cap space and lineup room to sign two guys with similar qualities, especially given the difficulties they've had finding a linemate who can take their passes. there's been word that burke wants them in TO - after all, he traded up to draft them. there are big debates here abt whether they're worth keeping, and i want them to stay - they've had a phenomenal year, marvelously both racking up exactly 82 points in the regular season. and i think they are both at 3 pts in 2 playoff games now.

who are you working for, derrick? I want to do some work for the stupid carbon-tax hating lady too...

the sedins have always faded in the postseason before this, but they are still fairly young, and they have looked amazing these last couple days.

4drian d1x in k1ngsway. send me email if you want to help! which riding are you in?

Awww man, Caps down 2 to the NY Rangers.

capitlols

http://www.talk-sports.net/nhl/girlfriend.aspx/David_Backes

http://deadspin.com/5219646/the-vancouver-canucks-have-a-scouting-report-on-your-wife

addt'l coverage

Quick playoff beard question: do we trim? My beard is growing faster than expected and my beard is quickly encroaching into my chest hair and up to my eye. Even with LOLsgood the Wings looking unbeatable therefore I’m getting nervous I’ll be looking like Harry Henderson soon. What’s the protocol?

I was seated against the glass for game three of Carolina-NJ.

It was awesome until Carolina lost in OT.

well you guys got your revenge for that tonight....

Are people really into the Hurricanes? Just curious what their fan base is like.

Oh and btw Columbus is a Suburb of Detroit.

blues deserved win tonight :( (not the series by any stretch)

team will be strong next year

Dear NHL,

I'd much rather watch the Caps for two months than Sean Avery. I say this as an ex-Kings fan and as a fan if real talk*. Ovetchkin is out of his mind.

Best,
--RG

*cf. "...Sloppy seconds" and etc.

BRUINS YO

i haven't seen any b's games :\

i'm like the most casual hockey fan ever but they're a really fun team to root for

tim thomas is pretty great.

well you guys got your revenge for that tonight....

that was like the most awesome thing.

fanbase here is cool! really supportive, into it, the atmosphere was HYPE the other night. I mean, bear in mind that it's not like there's people who've been following the team for generations, but it's a good crowd.

big demerit is the "let's go canes" song which is the lamest thing you ever heard, but on the plus side, Ric Flair goin' "Wooooo! that's another Carolina Hurricanes goal! Woooooo!"

didn't know you were into the 'canes, john. hope they can take that series from the devils.

suggest ban

they're not generally playing like they expect to see the next round but it's hard to imagine that they won't be pretty fired up after last night. we're going to the game again on Sunday though our seats won't be the super-insane ones we had the other night - my wife took this picture:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/3460411799_6aec6ebb74.jpg?v=0

this is a funny bruins ad imo

yo is correct.

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/8241/1240861480695.jpg

joe thornton must really like golf

OMG

this is in regards tooooooo...?

the devils end (rip)?

dude the devils gave up two goals in the last 1:35 of regulation to lose

that is pretty rough/awesome

Holy shit. I am a Devils fan and I am in shock at the loss. Inexcusable.The only consolation is the elimination of the Rangers.

I don't know if Hiller plays like Roy or if he plays like Jim Carrey.

Whatever happened to JS Giguere?

riding the pine in favor of the hot goalie.

yeah, I saw that yesterday. We don't get much coverage of the Ducks where I live, surprised he lost his job.

http://deadspin.com/5239289/austrian-hockey-players-will-question-your-sexuality-in-perfect-english

neither van or chi match up well with either det or anah. both van and chi would match up well w/ wash in terms of razzle dazzle.

awesome. so nice to have a good team in DC..
it was just my luck that i went to perhaps the worst/most boring of the caps playoff games so far. oh well. still fun. verizon center is absurd. all this nu metal and flashing red lights.

his ability to be at top speed in two steps is amazing.

all this nu metal and flashing red lights

Daria, by "nu metal" are you referring to the Verizon Center itself or the music played? I was used to hearing r'n'b, rap, and pop hits at Wizards games and elsewhere, but yep, numetal and old haircut metal and bad rock at the Capitals games.

Gary Bettman is an industrial-sized douchebag for reasons that I'm sure I don't have to get into here. But I am stunned that he is now setting up to fight to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix, when all they have ever done is lose money, and lots of it. He was actually quoted as saying: "We don't run out on cities". Has this ass-hat forgotten entirely about Quebec City and Winnipeg? How has he kept his job as long as he has? This MF has to go!

i was wondering how that man is not only still employed, but still alive.

if his public musings on the issue keep up he will be held down and kicked in the nuts to death as soon as he makes the mistake of entering the 905.

j-rock otm

the music played @ the games is actually ridiculous aggro WWE style nu metal, no kidding. i found it kind of scary when i realized i'm in a packed arena with thousands of people who don't have any ironic distance from this stuff.

"Has this ass-hat forgotten entirely about Quebec City and Winnipeg? "

Or Hartford. Those folks still walk around with jerseys on and put bumper stickers on their cars. You even see some Hurricanes memorobilia, which i find bizarre.

not to mention the entire state of Minnesota still wants to stab him even though they got a new team

canucks why u brake hart

Thank god the Blackhawks won. They are the only thing I have going right now in any sport.

Capitals not looking good

http://multimedia.heraldinteractive.com/images/b5aa0a6adf_max.jpg

how lame is the nhl? versus is showing indianapolis 500 qualifying rather than the wings-ducks?! of course qualifying will probably draw 10x's the audience that the wings-ducks would have. now i'm stuck listening to paul woods and having nightmare flashbacks of nick polano, willie huber and reed larson.

It was on the NHL network which you have to pay extra for. I agree, pretty lame.

I've been told to believe that dacica patrick is quite a dish.

wau patrick kane

amazing finish to that game

canucks why u brake hart

― Nasty British and Short (hmmmm), Thursday, May 7, 2009 10:22 PM (4 days ago) Bookmark

they're already talking about a Detroit/Chicago series on the TV here

hell I wouldn't be surprised if people were chanting "Detroit sucks" at the game

Caps still alive, somehow.

They should be chanting Detroit Sucks. Detroit does suck. Go Hawks!

hawks caps would be IN SANNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE

yup Bill they suck all the way to the Cup, as opposed to the Hawks who have sucked since 1961

No, I meant the City of Detroit sucks. Hockey team's ok. Sorry about the Lions though. Better luck next year.

yeah I don't give two shits about the Lions

Once the Black Hawks kick your ass, you won't have the RedWings to worry about either.

well unlike some fans, I'm not looking past the opponent they're currently facing

but it would be interesting to see how Chicago's "let's not play defense and give the puck to Kane/Toews every time" strategy works against a team that's geared to shut down the transition game

I'm already looking forward to the caps.

Feeling for Dan M. today

Caps have been cursed in 7th game's against the Penguins over the years. Will tonight be different?

If I could do that html thing, I would cross out a part of your post to make it read "Caps have been cursed over the years".

at 1:38 Scott "Father Time" Niedermayer shows why he is the classy captain of the loose-knit gang of hacks known as the Ducks

if you can't beat them, BEAT them

...and then drops his gloves but leaves the helmet on, of course, what a piece of shit

That was actually quite enjoyable. Looks like the Wings can't defend themselves, which is fucking hilarious.

If you're calling Scott Niedermayer, of all people, dirty, you must really not be taking the loss well.

I thought you were rooting for the Hawks, Bill? Oh I get it, just like every other bandwagoning Hawks fan, you're rooting against Detroit.

Although I guess I should expect this from a Scott Stevens fanboy.

Yes, rooting for Hawks. Second choice is anybody playing Detroit.

To explain, I grew up in Chicago as a big Hawks fan, watching them play in the Norris in the old Madhouse on Madison. My Detroit hate was ingrained in me a good 30 years ago, and is nothing personal against you, Chief.

I've lived in Jersey for the past 14 years, and I like them. If you want to say I jumped on any bandwagon, it would be the Devils'.

One last thing-if you don't like Scott Stevens, you don't like hockey.

Oh man, I should have recognized the distinct tang of Chicago fan anti-Detroit butthurt a mile away, as I've been living amongst it for the past 5 years. Kudos for sticking with your team, Bill, they've actually got a little bit of history. Maybe if/when they actually win something you guys can stop blaming your problems on other teams.

Scott Stevens is still a no-talent scumbag.

So just to get this straight, you're not a big fan of Scott Stevens?

ao, ever classy

(4:50 mark)

jesus h christ.

i flipped away 4 like 2 minutes! wtf

that was very satisfying

argh, another round of sydney crosby crying. scott neidermeyer will score the winning goal tomorrow. wings just don't look all that enthused this year and it is so frustrating to watch them dominate a game and then see the ducks get one chance and score. are jimmy howard or thomas mccollum ready or what?

Scott Niedermayer: dirty, lying son of a bitch.

Niedermayer, a terse quote who generally goes for the safe answer, was outright verbose on the topic.

“There was a lot going on,” he said. “I don't know how it all started, and next thing you know, my gloves are off. That doesn't happen too often. You guys could probably tell that.”

Asked what led him to drop the gloves, Niedermayer replied, “I took a couple shots. I didn't even know who it was at first. A couple punches to the face, and after a couple I figured I'd try a couple myself.”

funny he didn't mention his elbow

"Scott Niedermayer: dirty, lying son of a bitch."

With what, 4 Stanley Cups? That seems to be your only criteria for quality. See your quote here:"Maybe if/when they actually win something you guys can stop blaming your problems on other teams." So stop blaming Niedermayer for the fact that you have to play a goddamn Game 7.

Anything goes in the playoffs, you should know that.If you dont like it, go watch Metallsgursk SA or whatever fucking Russian team all the Wings come from.

Also, re: Stevens. Get over his destruction of Kozlov. It was 14 years ago for god's sake.

You're a strange man, Bill Magill.

i've been called worse. Part of me wants the wings to win tonight, so that the games against the blackhawks aren't on so damn late.

yo i am going to b's/canes game 7 tonight! def biggest sporting event i've ever seen i person.

That will be awesome. I'm definitely jealous. Nothing better than a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

tension in detroit

There's only one Dan Cleary!

^^^i want you wearing a red wings jersey everywhere for the next two weeks

I have a #5 with the C and everything

tension in beantown

hate the red wings but sending niedermayer home is A+++

Niedermayers!

The Niedermayer hate makes no sense. But whatever. Congrats Dan m, I think a friendly wager is appropriate for the next round.

he is the brett favre of the nhl

That makes absolutely no sense to me, but i trust that you are operating on a way higher plane than I am, so I won't quibble.

http://www.talk-sports.net/nhl/sucks.aspx/Scott_Niedermayer

I'd just like to say to the people who told me "Boston will annihilate you": enjoy the offseason!

The Sharks losing to the Ducks seems a lot less humiliating after watching the Ducks take the Wings to seven.

xpost--canes played harder, skated harder for most of the series. they deserved it.

oh man I don't know. when the canes lost game 6 they were not lookin good. last night was an AWESOME game though, so enjoyable. hoping to catch at least one canes/penguins game down here!

bnw-the posts on that Niedermayer website are some of the most inane things I have ever read. I am now even more confused about how Niedermayer is the Brett Favre of the NHL.

For the record, I didn't start hating Scott N. until he threw a roundhouse elbow at Datsyuk's head, and especially not until he played dumb about it. I did, however, hate Chris Pronger since he played for St. Louis.

The Ducks know how to play the type of hockey that frustrates the Red Wings: they dump and chase, grind it out, and (most importantly) don't put themselves in position to make mistakes too often. If they tried to play a more creative and attacking style they would be brutalized.

btw I listened to updates of the Wings/Hawks game while on a bus back to Chicago from Toronto that was filled with Hawks fans, and they weren't happy -- the Wings beer cozy that I bought at duty free in Port Huron was a nice touch

<3

finals rematch seems inevitable

Dennis Seidenberg got juked out of his shorts for basically no reason at all...

finals rematch seems inevitable

"Bettman's pulling the strings, it's all a conspiracy"

(note: I wouldn't put it past him)

I fully expect all Scott Stevens fans to support Nick Kronwall's pwnage of Head-down Havlat.

seriosuly, DO NOT PUT YOUR HEAD DOWN IN NHL

Canes need to win one imo

i liked how when the blackhawks went after kronwall, they knocked him down on top of havlat

All those skate blades coming scarily close to kronwall's throat while he's lying there practically unconscious

it's not too often that you see a regular goal after an empty-netter

wooooooooo

It's weird to me, after watching the first couple series I was convinced the Pens weren't going to make it very far, but they've come alive against Carolina. Never would have predicted it.

Havlat's throat, make that

xxpost

How come the 'canes spectators always shout "...YOU SEE!..." in unison during the national anthem? Or is that meant to be "U.C.", like they're paying tribute to UNC minus the "N"?

Anyone??

Former NHL forward Peter Zezel dead at 44‎ :(

"Zezel's career would end controversially at the trade deadline late in the 1998–99 season. Zezel's niece Jilliann was terminally ill with cancer in Toronto, and Zezel requested a trade from the Canucks (who were far out of the playoff race) to an Eastern Conference team so he could be closer to his family in their time of need. Instead, Vancouver General Manager Brian Burke dealt him to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, the furthest stop from Toronto in the league. Zezel promptly retired from the NHL and returned home, with Burke and Canucks' management receiving heavy criticism from a media and public sympathetic to Zezel's situation and for the callous way he was treated."

wow never knew about that. screw brian burke.

http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/mookieproof/300.jpg

yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaah they all died in that movie

In anticipation of Detroit closing out Chicago, a team whose performance and conduct has been historical for being hilariously slipshod in this series, let us compose a list of current NCAA or OHL teams that would’ve provided greater competition:

1. Windsor Spitfire

http://new.windsorspitfires.com/gallery/albums/userpics/Spits%20Mem%20Cup%20Parade%202009%20018.jpg

2. Amherst College

https://www.amherst.edu/media/view/98538/original/NESCAC%2BCHAMPS_cropped.jpg

the red wings make a lot of teams look terrible. that is why they must be destroyed

lol etaeoe

Well, if the Hawks lose tonight, hopefully they take a pound of flesh, and some Russian or Swedish Red Wing leaves the ice feet first on a backboard.

Classy as always Bill.

Hey you never commented on Nick "Mr. Sandman" Kronwall laying out Havlat. Good old-time hockey, eh?

He had control of the puck. Perfectly clean hit. I'm sure if it was by S. Stevens on some commie Red Wing, you'd be calling for the death penalty.

Nah dude I know how the game goes.

Curious about your hate for Stevens, the greatest open ice hitter in hockey history. He was not called for a penalty on any of his famous annihilations: Lindros, Kozlov, Francis, Kariya.

Playing for the 1995 Devils is more than enough reason to hate him.

Well, if the Hawks lose tonight, hopefully they take a pound of flesh, and some Russian or Swedish Red Wing leaves the ice feet first on a backboard.

I'm sure if it was by S. Stevens on some commie Red Wing, you'd be calling for the death penalty.

Excellent Don Cherry impression! I’m looking forward to your performance at the next Nationalist Party of Canada rally.

lol and who's going to do it?? Toews? Kane?

Excellent Don Cherry impression!

^Thanks

But, but, but … the Red Wings are soft!

They've been soft for a long time.

Kane v. Franzen would not be a fair fight.

Considering he has 5 inches and 50 lbs. on him, probably not. However, its possible Kane could take Jonathan Franzen.

Kane v. MULE would not be a fair fight.

Scratch that. Kane would surely find Jonathan Franzen's perma-first round playoff beard intimidating.

http://magazine.washcoll.edu/2006/summer/images/10.jpg

This is no disrespect to Kane however, I bet he was lighting up the boards in the OHL!

rofl

Stanley Cup Finals repeat repeal May 25, 2009
It's not really a positive that the Pens and Wings are on the fast track to meeting again for the NHL title.

^this guy is v. dumb.

Ducks, Hawks, Penguins: The Wings will have faced all three avian NHL teams this playoff season.

BEAT THE BIRDS

how could u forget the thrashers

So. How about those Pens?

They were lookin' like sore losers the other night.

Damn, forgot about Thrashers (forgot they even EXISTED)

"They were lookin' like sore losers the other night."

You are still "lookin' sore" from a four game, ass-kicking your team got back in '95, chief.

I can never forget that they exist after seeing this picture a few years ago:

http://cache.deadspin.com/images/2006/04/moreliljon.jpg

xp go fuck a whore

lol

srsly tho Malkin should be suspended for instigating here but he hasn't b/c the league's tongue is so far up his team's collective ass that they can do no wrong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfrHdSjZZcA

but all of that will make this cup even sweeter than the last one (last ten?) -- also seeing Hank own him was worth it

"also seeing Hank own him was worth it"

You must have posted a bad link or something. I don't think a Red Wing has won a fight since the Joe Kocur days.

Yeah you know they don't allow that shit any more in THE NEW NHL or haven't you been watching?

that was the girliest fight ever, thank god that ted lindsay dropped the puck in the first game, he might have jumped over the boards and kicked both of their asses.

Very silent on this thread this morning.

OMGZ NOOOOO THE RED WINGS NEVER EVER LOST A GAME

happy now?

yeah, quite happy. I'd be happier if the Red Wings charter pulled an Air France in the middle of the Atlantic, but I'll settle for this.

OK you could have at least said Lake Erie

best-of-three

Fleury is a catastrophically bad puck handler

hard to imagine, but he's actually better than he used to be

pens 4th goal was sickkkk

The fucking penalty kill!

Also did anyone else rage at Bettman during the intermission?

the officiating in this series has been awful. i guess it pretty much evens out, but is this really the best crew the nhl has to offer?

"Also did anyone else rage at Bettman during the intermission?"

No I set up a shrine to him in my back yard.

What did Bettman have to say? (CBC had Don 'n' Ron instead)

Looking forward to hearing Dan M "rage at" Scott Stevens if the Wings blow this series.

Bill your trolling needs work dude.

Also, what mookieproof said.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v4493/21/79/12101141/n12101141_40868673_6242757.jpg

Sure- whatever you say. Nice job "raging at" me.

¯\(°_o)/¯

enough with the shit-talk and more lolz about Malkin on Talbot - "leetle beet.. bad hands?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN28CYsbw8A

being a leaf fan, i rarely have that "oooh can't wait! going to be an awesome game!" feeling, but i have that feeling about tomorrow...

it started off unbelievably but then oops. strange to see the red wings have an advantage in net although admittedly there have been a few off of sticks but fleury sucks. why does everyone get sucked in by the butterfly goalies?

because there is no other kind these days. If you want a stanup goalie go back to 1994.

REVIVE BABY!!!

I think that was the first hockey game I have been entertained by. Was it good that it looked like a rolling brawl for most of it?

Not really, the referees have been so back and forth in this series it makes my head spin sometimes.

"Was it good that it looked like a rolling brawl for most of it?"

it was a great game. and yes, the refs should let the teams play in a stanley cup finals.

Consistency is all I ask for, whether it be calling the series tight or letting them play. It has not been so in this finals for both sides.

At least their inconsistency is inconsistent :/

So looking forward to Friday, fantasizing the Pens winning 4-3 in double OT.

All in all, fantastic playoff season, best I've seen since '94

http://images.dailyradar.com/media/uploads/ballhype/photos_large/2008/06/12/minime_stanley.jpg

...glad I am only a bandwagon Pen fan or else I would be dead

Is there a game tonight Y/N

wow that last save

i am so happy holy shit

lol hossa

yah last 2 saves were like whoa good job pens

man nothing on the planet like the stanley cup

lol beards

this is an A+ sport fwiw, and an A++ trophy

pirates world series for the trifecta.

dope game

marc andre fleury is like a tennis player, basically <3 dude

I am feeling that the bar severely undercharged us in honour of our brave boys.

i love max talbot so much

fucking fuck fuck

Great effort by the Pens in games 6 and 7 can't be denied. You can't win if you don't show up for 3 full periods.

That's class post dan m. It was a great series, and a whole lot of fun to watch. Nothing better than a game 7 in a Stanley Cup finals.

Will Max Talbot ever have to buy a drink in Western PA for the rest of his life????

holy shit - glad for the victory, but dammnnnn! To come within seconds/crossbar width of OVERTIME GAME 7

loved the clip of Fleury patting the crossbar afterwards!

ruslan fedotenko can't grow a playoff beard . . . because of chernobyl?

wtf Hossa

Wednesday, July 1, 2009
BREAKING NEWS
Report: Marian Hossa signs with Blackhawks
Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

Detroit -- Marian Hossa just added more fire to the Red Wings' rivalry with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hossa, who became a free agent after one year in Detroit, signed a 12-year contract with Chicago worth $5.2 million a season on Wednesday, Canadian sports network TSN is reporting.

did you really want him for 12 years?

twelve YEARS?!

makes me feel young, that a pro athelete born in the same year as me has 12 more years to play. go hossa

Were the Wings trying for a 12 year deal? I don't know. I thought he might have given it another shot but evidently they're doing something right at the United Center.

I don't really care much for mercenary players though, the one year deal was iffy from the beginning.

its a way to spread the 70 mil over more years than he'll be there. like the Dipietro contract. what'd he make last year?

wings were reportedly offering a significantly shorter deal for $1 million less per year.

i can't fault hossa for his contract choices either this year or last (and as far as mercenary goes, he's no dany heatley) but dag it would be hard to piss off more people if you were trying.

god bless the blackhawks, but they're going to have to pay kane and toews here shortly, and they're still paying campbell an ungodly amount. twelve years is an awfully long time, especially if the cap is only going up 100k a year.

it worked really well with DiPietro

A 12 yr deal sounds insane tbh.

i agree, seems kind of silly.

"and they're still paying campbell an ungodly amount"

I love campbell.

MARIAN HOSSA WILL BE YOUR MILLSTONE: THE NHL 2009-2010 THREAD (INCLUDING PITTSBURGH CUP HANGOVER OFFSEASON SHENANIGANS. HOCKEY IS THE BEST)