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[Shinobi]

Wow, the NHL gets absolutely zero breaks on US TV.

It's not like they've done anything to earn them...

8,000 deposits (including at least 60 suites) is kinda looney. After this Hamilton had better get this team...God knows they've been put through the ringer enough times.

 

[Foil]

I'm glad I'm not a Flames fan...

Mike Keenan going to Calgary.

"****ing hell..."

 

[The Internet]

"****ing hell..."

He should take out his anger by getting some of his teamates to help him gang-rape a girl like he did during the lockout season.

 

[Reilly]

He should take out his anger by getting some of his teamates to help him gang-rape a girl like he did during the lockout season.

Was he convicted for that? If not, shut the **** up.

 

[The Internet]

Was he convicted for that? If not, shut the **** up.

Why the hell would the clubs release all 3 of the players and not defend them? They did something wrong, the organizations knew it. I even read the Swedes wouldn't even let them play on any of their national teams for a year.

He wasn't convicted of anything, but they did something wrong. I don't see them getting harsh penalties like that, and no appologies when they weren't convicted in court.

And I appologize for making fun of your favorite player in the whole wide world.

 

[calder]

Why the hell would the clubs release all 3 of the players and not defend them? They did something wrong, the organizations knew it. I even read the Swedes wouldn't even let them play on any of their national teams for a year.

He wasn't convicted of anything, but they did something wrong. I don't see them getting harsh penalties like that, and no appologies when they weren't convicted in court.

And I appologize for making fun of your favorite player in the whole wide world.

They weren't "not convicted" dumbass they were never charged. If you're going to make a joke that ****ing stupid at least know the basics about what happened.

But hey, go back to your even less tasteful Dan Snyder jokes. Those were just full of class and wit.

 

[calder]

Bruins fire head coach Dave Lewis
Canadian Press

6/15/2007 6:31:21 PM

BOSTON (AP) - Dave Lewis is out as the Boston Bruins coach after just one season.

General manager Peter Chiarelli announced Friday that Lewis will be relieved as head coach and reassigned to another position in the organization. Associate coach Marc Habscheid also will be reassigned.

"Since the season has ended I have completed a thorough review of the team and the coaching staff, and I have determined that Dave Lewis and Marc Habscheid are not the proper fit for the Bruins at this time," Chiarelli said, before adding: "I have a short list of candidates in mind."

Lewis was 35-41-6 in his lone season on the Bruins' bench. He also was the head coach in Detroit from 2002-04, where he had a 96-41-21-6 record.

The Bruin haven't won the Stanley Cup since 1972 and have missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons.

"Having come from organizations where you're used to winning, that's been very difficult," Chiarelli said after the season. "But I also know quick fixes don't work and so I have to be patient. I have to balance the two things because I know our ownership demands a winner and I know the city demands a winner."

Chiarelli was the assistant general manager of the Ottawa Senators last season, when they finished second in the NHL with 113 points. Lewis was an assistant coach on three of Detroit's Stanley Cup-winning teams.

The Bruins underwent a major housecleaning last summer, bringing in Chiarelli and Lewis. They flirted with the playoff race for a while but went 1-10-1 in their last 12 games and played shoddy defence, allowing 289 goals - the second most in the league.

Boston also was short on offence with 217 goals, seventh fewest in the league.

Chiarelli said with several weeks remaining in the season that Lewis would return for a second season. "We've moved along the learning curve and you just can't throw that away," the GM said then.

Lewis said after the season that his history with the Red Wings may have blinded him to the work that needed to be done.

"I probably took a number of things for granted that I shouldn't, thinking that the players understand," he said then. "Where I came from, it's just sort of natural, which it really isn't natural. It's a learned process, so that's where I have to improve."

Lewis was hired by Boston on June 29, 2006. Prior to joining the team, he served as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings from 2002-2004, where he amassed a record of 96-41-21-6.

Habscheid was hired last July after spending a couple years coaching Canada's national men's team.

Wow, GM's are being even less patient than normal with first year coaches. Gotta love the way coaches react when fired, they are so polite about it to ensure they don't burn any bridges you'd think they were the ones doing the letting go.

 

[SA-X]

Meh, Dave Lewis is an average at best coach. The Wings were on autopilot during his entire head coaching run here.

Good move by the Bruins I guess. It shouldn't be very hard to find someone better than Lewis, although this is the Bruins we're talking about here...

 

[SantaC]

He should take out his anger by getting some of his teamates to help him gang-rape a girl like he did during the lockout season.

he wasn't charged nor convicted, so shut the **** up

 

[Socreges]

just to demonstrate how much of a non-scandal that was, i dont even know who or what TheInternet is talking about

though i WILL guess that the guy must be swedish :lol

 

[Reilly]

It's not like they've done anything to earn them...

8,000 deposits (including at least 60 suites) is kinda looney.

Not really, it should have been sold out.

 

[Alucard]

Congrats to Sid for winning the Hart, Pearson, and Art Ross this year.

Oddly enough, I'm currently in Halifax, Nova Scotia and not too far from Cole Harbour where he grew up!

 

[ShutEye]

Not really, it should have been sold out.

To be fair no one is 100% certain that Balsillie even owns the team yet, and the NHL has already torpedoed his first plan (Penguins).

Sales will have to draw from the western suburbs of Toronto and the towns east of Hamilton to be successful though.

They sold out the corporate boxes (~65 @ $5K deposit) which is the impressive figure here.

As for the Bruins they have bigger problems than their coach.

 

[calder]

I'm kind of torn, because as much as I want Canada to get another team(s) there's really no denying that Balsillie does seem to be a pretty big knob about the way he's going around trying to get his team. He's pissing off the league and other owners left and right and just seems to not know how to go about his business.

At least he's pretty clear about his intentions to move whatever team he gets: none of that bullshit pretending to consider keeping the team in town if the current fans to x and y before next season. Pretty cold comfort, but it's better than being teased.

 

[rs7k]

Samsonov is out of MTL!!

 

[TemplaerDude]

chicago?

poor them.

 

[DopeyFish]

I'm kind of torn, because as much as I want Canada to get another team(s) there's really no denying that Balsillie does seem to be a pretty big knob about the way he's going around trying to get his team. He's pissing off the league and other owners left and right and just seems to not know how to go about his business.

At least he's pretty clear about his intentions to move whatever team he gets: none of that bullshit pretending to consider keeping the team in town if the current fans to x and y before next season. Pretty cold comfort, but it's better than being teased.

sorry? balsille isn't being a knob, Bettman is.

He's the one who keeps saying wah wah you can't move any team. I want Balsille to fight this and win so owners can have franchises wherever the **** they want them (read: Canada)

Do you honestly think it's fair that someone buys a team, they're not allowed to touch it? That's bullshit.

Don't you notice the lingo? When there's talk of US markets, it's like "That could be a good hockey market" but when there's talk of a Canadian market it's all silence from the NHL (except the statement about winnipeg a while back)

and look at the nashville fans crying that balsille could buyout the lease! where the **** were you guys when the predators were tearing up the league this year? Obviously not supporting your team. Damn tools.

 

[scissorfight]

ive been out of the country for a month so i haven't posted, but just wanted to say that Lidstrom > God. 5 Norris tophies in 6 years, and even the 3 he lost in the last 8 years were arguable.

also, what a ****ing boring awards show. can't any NHLers have a little personality? Crosby has the all the stage presence of a plank of wood. he also called Roberto 'Marty' during the Pearson speech :lol

 

[ForzaItalia]

Samsonov is out of MTL!!

Last year at this time you guys had his nutsack drenched with a frothing amount of saliva...

 

[Reilly]

To be fair no one is 100% certain that Balsillie even owns the team yet, and the NHL has already torpedoed his first plan (Penguins).

Doesn't matter. If Hamilton wants a team that bad, everyone should be lined up. You get your money back at any time. You think fans in Winnipeg would be doing the same if there was a possibility of the team relocating there?

Anything less than a sellout is bad.

Don't "wah wah wah" me and tell me more teams need to be in Canada when they aren't selling out deposits.

 

[ForzaItalia]

Interesting article on Iginla and Kipper maybe clashing with Keenan:

Link

 

[BigJonsson]

When Hamilton actually gets a team it will sell out

 

[Kabuki Waq]

Interesting article on Iginla and Kipper maybe clashing with Keenan:

Link

:SHOCK!


Iginla gets traded to Edmonton for a Shawarma!

 

[TemplaerDude]

i can see the keenan effect already. iginla plays poorly. keenan benches iginla. iginla gets angry. keenan argues with iginla. keenan tells sutter that iginla is a "bad dressing room player". sutter is afraid to trade iginla. keenan speaks out to the media against iginla. flames fall out of or barely make and are kicked out of the playoffs. management fires sutter for not "doing what is needed" and makes keenan the gm. keenan trades iginla to some team for a bum.

 

[calder]

i can see the keenan effect already. iginla plays poorly. keenan benches iginla. iginla gets angry. keenan argues with iginla. keenan tells sutter that iginla is a "bad dressing room player". sutter is afraid to trade iginla. keenan speaks out to the media against iginla. flames fall out of or barely make and are kicked out of the playoffs. management fires sutter for not "doing what is needed" and makes keenan the gm. keenan trades iginla to some team for a bum.

:lol

I can just imagine you typing that, sighing, then looking up to heaven and murmuring "please please Hockey Jebus make it happen!"

"Hate to burst your bubble princess but it's not ****ing happening! Who the bloody hell do you think I am!"

 

[ShutEye]

Don't "wah wah wah" me and tell me more teams need to be in Canada when they aren't selling out deposits.

I didn't "wah wah" shit. I pointed out why people might not want to let go of there money (even if they can get it back later).
Would you put a $500 dollar deposit for a ticket you might, maybe use in 2008 or 2009 as a gesture to a league that has shown it doesn't give a shit about what you want?

Nor did I say there absolute should be more teams in Canada.
Personally I think this league needs to contract by 8 to 12 teams, **** Ottawa and Edmonton and most of US markets as well.

 

[NickP786]

So glad Dave Lewis is gone, it was unbelievably frustrating to watch the bruins this year, and by the end of the year I just gave up since I knew no one would step up and make an attempt at getting that outside shot at the playoffs. Peter Chiarelli was on local radio today and basically sidestepped anything having to do with how bad the team was

Host: So, did the fact that the bruins were so highly penalized this year play into your decision?
Chiarelli: Welllllll
Host: What about the uninspired play down the stretch?
Chiarelli: Welllllllllllllll Dave's a great coach and blah blah blah

 

[Mike Works]

i cannot believe a team willingly traded for sergei samsonov

 

[Crazymoogle]

i cannot believe a team willingly traded for sergei samsonov

These days, the Blackhawks are as much a team as the Clippers were in the NBA, so trading for questionable players and missing the playoffs seem to be staples for their season plan.

 

[BorkBork]

Haven't been keeping up with the hockey news, but why did Muckler get fired?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=211070&hubname=nhl

 

[FightyF]

They weren't "not convicted" dumbass they were never charged. If you're going to make a joke that ****ing stupid at least know the basics about what happened.

They were charged actually. The case was dropped because it couldn't be proven that it was rape.

But the actions of those players was a source of shame, yadda yadda yadda, they were punished by their teams.

Haven't been keeping up with the hockey news, but why did Muckler get fired?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=211070&hubname=nhl

Wow. News to me. Maybe there was friction between Murray and Muckler?

 

[Pochacco]

Hmm. If true, then Bob Mckenzie was dead on.

Something is imminent in Ottawa

Bob McKenzie
6/15/2007 10:33:16 PM

On a day when the Boston Bruins came out of left field with a coaching purge, we should not be shocked or awed if the Ottawa Senators soon make a move of their own involving their hockey staff.

But figuring out precisely what that move will be, well, we can guess, we can speculate, but until it happens, we don't really know for sure. But the sense is certainly that something is imminent, if not sooner if you catch the drift.

What we believe we know is that the Sens' main hockey men - head coach Bryan Murray, general manager John Muckler and president Roy Mlakar - all had meetings this week with owner Eugene Melnyk and it seems reasonable to think all three men are aware of where they stand going forward with the Senators.

The Senator employment speculation became so intense on Friday that Melnyk cryptically responded to TSN's request for clarification as follows:

''We are continuing to have ongoing discussions with management on the future direction and therefore the roles of everyone at the senior level. We had a great year and I am very proud of what my team has achieved. Saying that, I am always evaluating what we can do, both short term and long term, to continue the momentum and lead us to a Stanley Cup victory next year and for years to come.''

That doesn't exactly squelch the sense change is imminent, if it hasn't happened already, but is far from enlightening. Which leaves us back at square one - speculating.

For some time now, the rumours have been Murray assuming the dual role of gm-coach at the expense of Muckler. Until we are presented with hard info to the contrary, that one seems to make the most sense, but right now that and five bucks will get you a latte at the fancy coffee shop across the road.

So we wait, but it sure doesn't feel like we'll be waiting long.

 

[Solo]

Thank god we got rid of Samsonov.

 

[Malakhov]

Great move by Gainey, the team is buying out Cullimore's contract so they will have a 600k cap hit for 2 seasons instead of having to buy out Samsonov :lol

 

[calder]

They were charged actually. The case was dropped because it couldn't be proven that it was rape.

It took you this long to come to your friend's defense and make his argument for him?

And from what I read about the case back when they were never charged. It certainly never went to court (which The Internet claimed), with the special prosecutor clearing the players of even the non-rape charges she was investigating, although we could just be talking about the differences in Swedish law and how they define things versus how we do it in NA. I really doubt it though.

And, if we want to get technical, the special prosecutor who reopened the case indicated it was not rape but a lesser crime of "sexual exploitation" she was investigating.


EDIT: ah **** it, I finally decided to google it for 5 seconds and came up with...

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — A Florida Panther and two other NHL players once accused of rape were cleared Thursday to play for the Swedish national team again after the 2006-07 season.

The Panthers' Kristian Huselius, Andreas Lilja of the Detroit Red Wings and Henrik Tallinder of the Buffalo Sabres were banned from international play for a year June 1 by the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation after a 22-year-old woman accused the trio of raping her Feb. 9. The players reportedly told police they had consensual sex with her in their hotel room after meeting her in a bar.

The trio was questioned by police the next day before the Swedes' opening game in the Sweden Hockey Games, which is part of the European Hockey Tour. They missed the game against the Czech Republic and quit the team the following day.

Police dropped their investigation two days later because of a lack of evidence. A special prosecutor reopened the case a few weeks later, but the trio was cleared in June when the prosecutor said there was no evidence they forced the woman to have sex.

"Let's hope the federation and the players can leave this behind and go forward," federation chairman Christer Englund said Thursday.

Huselius, who was stopped when he wanted to practice on ice with other Swedish NHL players in Stockholm a week ago, apologized to the federation during a meeting Thursday.

One of the top scorers in the Swedish Elite League last season during the NHL lockout, Huselius also gave the federation a written apology from Tallinder. Lilja apologized to the federation a few weeks after the incident.

Huselius and Tallinder were released by Swedish club Linkoping, which they joined during the NHL lockout, and moved to Swiss teams. Lilja was suspended by Swedish club Mora for the rest of the season.

 

[Socreges]

how much longer does malakhov have to use that avatar :lol

 

[TemplaerDude]

:lol forever i hope. best avatar ever.

 

[calder]

Bouwmeester to plead guilty
By TONY BLAIS -- Sun Media

Edmonton NHL hockey player Jay Bouwmeester - an All-Star defenceman with the Florida Panthers - intends to plead guilty to impaired driving this fall.

Bouwmeester, 23, had been slated to go to trial yesterday afternoon on a charge of impaired driving after earlier entering a plea of not guilty, however his lawyer had the case moved into Edmonton's provincial court in the morning.

Prominent defence lawyer Alex Pringle and Crown prosecutor Robert Palser agreed before a judge to have the trial adjourned to Sept. 4 for summary disposition.

Outside court, Palser explained summary disposition is where accused people agree to plead guilty, sometimes on lesser charges, and the two sides agree on the facts. "It will be a guilty plea," said Palser.

No reason was given in court as to why the case was put over until September, however Bouwmeester recently underwent successful surgery on his injured right hip.

Bouwmeester was arrested Aug. 12 near Whyte Avenue, a popular nightclub area, which gained nationwide notoriety when drunken revellers rioted there during last spring's Stanley Cup run by the Edmonton Oilers.

The smooth-skating, six-foot-four, 210-pound blueliner was later charged with impaired driving and operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of more than .08.

Police say Bouwmeester was nabbed around 4 a.m. on 104 Street and 79 Avenue by an off-duty police officer who "observed his vehicle swerving."

The former Medicine Hat Tigers star was chosen third overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and was awarded a two-year, $4.35-million US contract in July.

Huh I totally missed this news.

In a selfish vein, as someone who just can't stop drafting this guy in all my leagues every damn year, I wonder what if anything a brush with the law like that will have on him next season.

 

[fallout]

and look at the nashville fans crying that balsille could buyout the lease! where the **** were you guys when the predators were tearing up the league this year? Obviously not supporting your team. Damn tools.

It was a lack of corporate support that hurt them. They've got a dedicated fanbase.

 

[ForzaItalia]

I agree man. Best avatar ever. Just proves how pathetic the majority of Habs fans are on GAF...

P.S. If Muckler can get canned...then how can JFJ survive in Toronto?

Lame Leafs management...

 

[Mike Works]

i didn't even hear abotu bouwmeester getting charged in the first place.

oh belfour :lol

 

[DopeyFish]

It was a lack of corporate support that hurt them. They've got a dedicated fanbase.

what? Take away the corporate ticketholders in Toronto and Montreal and they'll still sellout night after night. (ACC holds 4000 more fans than Sommet, Bell Center holds 5000 more than Sommet)

It's not corporate support, it's support in general.

Nashville had their best season in franchise history and one of their worst attendance wise in their history. With the price of their tickets (read : extremely low) it's no excuse.

 

[Karakand]

what? Take away the corporate ticketholders in Toronto and Montreal and they'll still sellout night after night.

Maybe if they lowered prices... but at the rates they charge right now the only people that can afford the best seats / boxes are corporations.

 

[Barrage]

Yeah, let's compare Toronto and Montreal's attendance to Nashville's....that's sensible.

 

[Pochacco]

Drinking and driving is a serious offense.
I hope the Alberta Government makes an example of and comes down hard on Bouwmeester, and sentence him to a 5 year term with the Edmonton Oilers.

 

[fallout]

what? Take away the corporate ticketholders in Toronto and Montreal and they'll still sellout night after night. (ACC holds 4000 more fans than Sommet, Bell Center holds 5000 more than Sommet)

It's not corporate support, it's support in general.

Nashville had their best season in franchise history and one of their worst attendance wise in their history. With the price of their tickets (read : extremely low) it's no excuse.

The Predators haven't even been in the league for a decade and they're not exactly in the best place to be selling hockey. To echo what Barrage said, I can't even believe you're comparing them to 2 teams where people grew up with their teams.

No team in their conditions is going to get by without some amount of corporate support. Blame the media, the owner (though, he seemed like a good guy), the local businesses, whatever ... but the fans that are crying right now are the fans that were showing up to every game.

 

[sefskillz]

Nor did I say there absolute should be more teams in Canada.
Personally I think this league needs to contract by 8 to 12 teams, **** Ottawa and Edmonton and most of US markets as well.

Why? The league seems to be doing fine financially. Ratings in the states and the TV deal is all that is lacking, contracting the US markets isn't going to fix that.

but the fans that are crying right now are the fans that were showing up to every game.

that's dead on. the media is finally getting behind us too. chamber of commerce committee has stepped up to try and get corporations in. music groups are throwing benefit concerts around town to raise money to buy tickets for big brothers/big sisters charity, there's a lot of stuff going on and it's great to see.

 

[The Internet]

But hey, go back to your even less tasteful Dan Snyder jokes. Those were just full of class and wit.

I didn't make any Dan Snyder jokes, I made a joke about Mike Keenan making another one of his terrible trades and it involved Dan Snyder.

If it offended you, sorry. I didn't realize you were a softie.

Anyways, why is Muckler getting canned (supposedly)? Is getting to the Finals not good enough?

 

[dem]

The Muckler firing is going to ruin the Oilers master plan of getting Wade Redden from the Sens..

 

[The Internet]

The Muckler firing is going to ruin the Oilers master plan of getting Wade Redden from the Sens..

Do we really want Redden at $6.5 million or whatever it is?

Did he just have an off year? He looked terrible in the Playoffs.