Support NeoGAF

[Takeda Kenshi]

To be fair, I made the statement that Malkin was better than Crosby on this board and people said I was wrong, so it's not just the media.

I honestly believe the reason Malkin lost that badly is because people looked too much at the team he played on. Playing alongside Crosby probably took away a lot of votes--especially from those who don't watch him all the time.

You are absolutely correct.

Another facet is the fact that Ovechkin is so great at selling himself to both the media and the fans. His antics on the ice may irritate some, but it really helped solidify his name worldwide. Malkin has some serious catching up to do.

 

[Hari Seldon]

Meh I don't care that Malkin didn't win the Hart. The Conn Smythe is the best trophy an individual can win.

 

[Takeda Kenshi]

Meh I don't care that Malkin didn't win the Hart. The Conn Smythe is the best trophy an individual can win.

This is true. Mario Lemieux once stated that the only two trophies he ever carried about were the Art Ross and Stanley Cup, because neither were voted upon. He may have had a point.

 

[Alucard]

I <3 the Stanley Cup. How about you guys?

 

[The Internet]

Two Winter Classics this year?!

Why are they even thinking of Calgary? They should do one in Florida before they do one here.

I guess some rumours have the Canucks playing in this game rather than the Oilers who already hosted the first one in 2003.

 

[Doytch]

God I hope all of Quebec's papers aren't that fugly. It's like a grade nine art project.

 

[Takeda Kenshi]

I <3 the Stanley Cup. How about you guys?

There's one thing I like more; two Stanley Cups.

 

[R_GILL]

Reinprecht traded to Florida for Meyer and then signed for 3 years 6 million. Meh.

 

[CrazedArabMan]

There's one thing I like more; two Stanley Cups.

No repeat for you.

 

[OnPoint]

That fact that he's on the Stanley Cup champion team and won the Conn Smythe says to me that he's out of the shadow. Who cares about what people who don't follow hockey think?

I was just participating in the conversation. If I cared about what people who don't follow hockey thought I probably wouldn't follow the sport

When I said ESPN I meant the Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon's of the world, two people who probably don't even get a vote in the matter anyway.

Yeah, I figured as much, hence my disclaimer. I really do wish ESPN would make a greater effort to cover the sport, though. I'm sick of hearing about where Brett Farve may or may not sign during the NFL offseason when there are playoffs in another major sport to be covered.

Spoiler

Yes, I realize I'm stating the obvious and bitching to the converted

Then again, the only time I really watch ESPN is when I'm at Applebees haha

 

[Takeda Kenshi]

Yeah, I figured as much, hence my disclaimer. I really do wish ESPN would make a greater effort to cover the sport, though. I'm sick of hearing about where Brett Farve may or may not sign during the NFL offseason when there are playoffs in another major sport to be covered.

Spoiler

Yes, I realize I'm stating the obvious and bitching to the converted

Then again, the only time I really watch ESPN is when I'm at Applebees haha

ESPN will only start to really cover the sport once the NHL accepts the fact that Versus isn't helping their audience expand and goes groveling back hat in hand. The NHL simply isn't going to get the kind of money the NBA and NFL do with their current ratings. Until then, pariah status.

Speaking of pariahs, if I have to hear Skip Ballsless talk smack about hockey one more time, I'm gonna need to smack a bitch.

 

[OnPoint]

^^

It would just be nice to have a network that most people get covering the sport.

 

[May16]

No repeat for you.

 

[GuessWho]

Molson are the new owners of the Montreal Canadiens. What a fuckn relief. How much did it cost? 550 million dollars......

 

[Solo]

So, Molson Centre -> Bell Centre -> Molson Centre, is it? :lol

 

[Kifimbo]

Molson are the new owners of the Montreal Canadiens. What a fuckn relief. How much did it cost? 550 million dollars......

Yeah, they were the best contender. Passionate but low profile. Journalists won't be able to whine that the team isn't own by Quebeckers. The usual suspects will probably cry because they are not francophone, exposing their dirty nationalism even more.

So, Molson Centre -> Bell Centre -> Molson Centre, is it?

The team has a contract with Bell. The only way it's happening soon is if the Molson familiy breaks the contract, which will cost money.

 

[NetMapel]

Molson are the new owners of the Montreal Canadiens. What a fuckn relief. How much did it cost? 550 million dollars......

Man, I was hoping for Celine Dion.

 

[X26]

Man, I was hoping for Celine Dion.

There's still hope, the $550 million is for 80% of the team. 20% for Celine? A stanley cup under her leadership? Believe it.

 

[android]

There's still hope, the $550 million is for 80% of the team. 20% for Celine? A stanley cup under her leadership? Believe it.

That might be for the remaining 80%. The Molson's already owned 20% of the team.

 

[ForzaItalia]

Man, I was hoping for Celine Dion.

I'm sure Manics was too...he would have had a field day.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Gives a new meaning to "Molson Canadian!". Rename it to "Molson Canadien!" and you got yourself free marketing!

 

[NetMapel]

Gives a new meaning to "Molson Canadian!". Rename it to "Molson Canadien!" and you got yourself free marketing!

Or, rename the Canadien to Canadian, the proper way

 

[CrazedArabMan]

Molson Canadiens would be a much better name. :lol

Spoiler

way off topic, but to Alucard, I didn't know you were on the hockeytown forums also, been thinking about signing up since I just lurk there but haven't bothered to yet.

 

[Futureman]

Remember when the Pens won the Cup?

 

[Buba Big Guns]

Remember when the Pens won the Cup?

Stop living in the past.

 

[jacket320]

:lol

 

[vatstep]

The only thing I remember from the 2008-09 season is Tim Thomas winning the Vezina. Everything else is a blur.

 

[aidan]

God, I was trying to trade Thomas in the GAF league for the first half of the season... and no one wanted him!

 

[Alucard]

Molson Canadiens would be a much better name. :lol

Spoiler

way off topic, but to Alucard, I didn't know you were on the hockeytown forums also, been thinking about signing up since I just lurk there but haven't bothered to yet.

Yeah, a lot of the Wings fans seem reasonable. I was kicked off the Caps board pretty quickly, due to talking about the Pens and being a Pens fan, which is different than talking about the Pens and being a Caps fan.

 

[CrazedArabMan]

Yeah, a lot of the Wings fans seem reasonable. I was kicked off the Caps board pretty quickly, due to talking about the Pens and being a Pens fan, which is different than talking about the Pens and being a Caps fan.

:lol That's why I like to read the boards over there on the Wings forum, you get both sides and most people are nice or aren't too "over the top, gonna kill you if you don't support their team".

 

[Acid08]

Totally forgot to post any State of the Sharks details. Well apparently when the players/coaching staff walked out about half the people gave them a standing ovation while the other half sat there arms folded looking pissed off. 2400 people this year which I guess was much more than last year.

Boyle said goaltending was their biggest problem without a doubt. I love how he isn't afraid to say anything.

Marleau looked like a scared puppy most of the time.

Thornton made a comment that one day the team will be his. He's coming to training camp early this year as well.

One guy actually asked in Marleau's C was safe.

McLellan said in a roundabout way that JR is too old to come back.

Doug Wilson and Boyle still extremely and vocally pissed off about their playoffs. The rest didn't show the same emotion.

"We spent 95 percent of the time developing hockey skills and systems and power plays and penalty kills," the coach added. "How can we help our players be mentally tougher to deal with the pressures that come with being a top team? And I'm not sure of those answers.... We'll look outside the organization at professionals that can maybe help us." - McLellan

"Is this the final time we have to get kicked in the ass to realize we're going to commit to whatever it takes to get to the next level?" -Doug Wilson

 

[gcubed]

Um, isn't Ovechkin a blown knee away from being a huge failure as well?

the post didnt quite make sense to me either.

 

[Dr.Guru of Peru]

Jesus guys, the draft is only a few days away and no-ones posted anything about it? Bob Mckenzie just released his draft rankings (based on the opinion of NHL scouts):
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=11891

1. Tavares
2. Hedman
3. Duchene
4. Kane
5. Schenn
6. Ekman-Larsson
7. Cowen
8. Kadri
9. Kulikov
10. Paajarvi-Svensson

 

[Plinko]

Jesus guys, the draft is only a few days away and no-ones posted anything about it? Bob Mckenzie just released his draft rankings (based on the opinion of NHL scouts):
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=11891

1. Tavares
2. Hedman
3. Duchene
4. Kane
5. Schenn
6. Ekman-Larsson
7. Cowen
8. Kadri
9. Kulikov
10. Paajarvi-Svensson

Bob Mckenzie's column about the Islanders' fans threatening anarchy if they don't draft Tavares is hilarious. I don't see any circumstance where he's not the #1 pick. They need him badly.

 

[Crazymoogle]

Bob Mckenzie's column about the Islanders' fans threatening anarchy if they don't draft Tavares is hilarious. I don't see any circumstance where he's not the #1 pick. They need him badly.

Hasn't stopped weeks of TSN coverage trying to say "wait, maybe he isn't #1!" :lol

 

[KilledByBill]

So Brent Sutter is apparently going to take the Flames head coaching job? I figured he was going to at least sit out one year to keep the charade going!:lol

 

[Spectral Glider]

I really hope the league doesn't fuck up the winter classic. Though, who am I kidding, they will.

Remember when the Pens won the Cup?

I sure do. And let's relive the season, shall we?

http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/emptynetters/archive/2009/06/22/2008-09-a-game-by-game-recap-6-22-09.aspx

 

[R_GILL]

Bob Mckenzie's column about the Islanders' fans threatening anarchy if they don't draft Tavares is hilarious. I don't see any circumstance where he's not the #1 pick. They need him badly.

Meh honestly I think Hedman is better. Tavares is basically Danny Heatley, not saying Danny Heatley is bad or anything but Hedmans potential is so hard to pass up. He is already put up great numbers in the SEL as an 18 year old and his combination of size, speed and offensive skill is rare.

 

[SA-X]

Totally forgot to post any State of the Sharks details. Well apparently when the players/coaching staff walked out about half the people gave them a standing ovation while the other half sat there arms folded looking pissed off. 2400 people this year which I guess was much more than last year.

Boyle said goaltending was their biggest problem without a doubt. I love how he isn't afraid to say anything.

Marleau looked like a scared puppy most of the time.

Thornton made a comment that one day the team will be his. He's coming to training camp early this year as well.

One guy actually asked in Marleau's C was safe.

McLellan said in a roundabout way that JR is too old to come back.

Doug Wilson and Boyle still extremely and vocally pissed off about their playoffs. The rest didn't show the same emotion.

"We spent 95 percent of the time developing hockey skills and systems and power plays and penalty kills," the coach added. "How can we help our players be mentally tougher to deal with the pressures that come with being a top team? And I'm not sure of those answers.... We'll look outside the organization at professionals that can maybe help us." - McLellan

"Is this the final time we have to get kicked in the ass to realize we're going to commit to whatever it takes to get to the next level?" -Doug Wilson

So whats the chance that this team will actually be good again next year or will finally implode and spiral down the toilet like the Sens and all the other what could have been contenders of the last decade?

 

[Barrage]

Jesus guys, the draft is only a few days away and no-ones posted anything about it? Bob Mckenzie just released his draft rankings (based on the opinion of NHL scouts):
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=11891

1. Tavares
2. Hedman
3. Duchene
4. Kane
5. Schenn
6. Ekman-Larsson
7. Cowen
8. Kadri
9. Kulikov
10. Paajarvi-Svensson

God save us if we take Kadri (I know we won't, but still.)

And yes, the Sharks are pretenders.

Just like the Sens and Sabres before them.

Oh, and of course the Wings.

 

[Alucard]

Just a reminder...

Hoooooooooooooooooooo!

 

[Alucard]

Awesome article and stats which show how lucky Detroit has gotten with drafting, and how their scouts actually suck...

http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2009/6/21/920352/detroit-isnt-that-great-at

BAM! Also features plenty of drafting stats for all teams in the league.

 

[aidan]

Apparently Gaborik bought a house in Vancouver.

 

[toro5741]

Meh honestly I think Hedman is better. Tavares is basically Danny Heatley, not saying Danny Heatley is bad or anything but Hedmans potential is so hard to pass up. He is already put up great numbers in the SEL as an 18 year old and his combination of size, speed and offensive skill is rare.

I'll be happy with either one - my only issue would be if they go off the reservation and pass up both and take Matt Duchene, which some people actually think might happen...

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/blog/2009/06/greg_logans_prediction_matt_du.html

 

[CrazedArabMan]

Awesome article and stats which show how lucky Detroit has gotten with drafting, and how their scouts actually suck...

http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2009/6/21/920352/detroit-isnt-that-great-at

BAM! Also features plenty of drafting stats for all teams in the league.

The problem is that it is consistent and I don't think their scouts suck, sounded more like someone was angry at how they get those good draft picks late in the draft. Quite frankly, I scimmed through the article but I don't feel like wasting my reading eyes on that article. Yes I said my reading eyes, they would rather read video game material.

 

[jacket320]

Golden Brett going to the Hockey Hall of Fame:

Hull will join his father Bobby, who was inducted in 1983, and become the first father-son player entries.

Hull has been honored plenty of times for his career, which includes 741 regular-season goals. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008 and has had his No. 29 jersey retired at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and his No. 16 jersey retired by the St. Louis Blues.

2 Cup wins: Detroit/Dallas. Article here:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/062309dnspostarshull.352acc3.html

 

[Acid08]

So whats the chance that this team will actually be good again next year or will finally implode and spiral down the toilet like the Sens and all the other what could have been contenders of the last decade?

I definitely think you'll see the same dominating regular season team next season. The playoffs will once again be the elephant in the room all season long.

 

[May16]

Apparently Gaborik bought a house in Vancouver.

Probably cheaper than the hotel rates during Olympic times. He's thinking ahead--smart man.

 

[pringles]

Awesome article and stats which show how lucky Detroit has gotten with drafting, and how their scouts actually suck...

http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2009/6/21/920352/detroit-isnt-that-great-at

BAM! Also features plenty of drafting stats for all teams in the league.

I'm not sure their scouting team is that exceptional apart from Hakan Andersson. He's the one who discovered Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Ericsson, Franzen etc.
But it's no surprise less of the Wings draft picks make it to the league than any other team's. They've had the worst drafting position in the last 15 years, as well as a habit before the lockout to trade away their early picks.
One pick in the top 20 in the last 15 years (Jakub Kindl, promising d-man).
Also it's probably the hardest team in the league for a young player to get a spot on.

I'd be interested in seeing the same statistics if you take out the 1st round picks of all teams.

 

[Plinko]

Awesome article and stats which show how lucky Detroit has gotten with drafting, and how their scouts actually suck...

http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2009/6/21/920352/detroit-isnt-that-great-at

BAM! Also features plenty of drafting stats for all teams in the league.

I think you're overlooking the fact that overall, for ALL teams, only 10% of players drafted play more than 200 games, which is horrendous. It really shows how hard drafting is in the NHL. Detroit is at 4.3%, which isn't that far behind when taking into consideration their constantly low 1st-round draft picks (as pringles said, 1 top 20 pick in the last 15 years).

To show how much this stat really matters, though--In comparison, look at the teams who have some of the highest drafting percentages. I think I'd much rather be Detroit with multiple Stanley Cups in the last 15 years and a bad drafting percentage than the NY Islanders (12%), Ottawa (17%), Minnesota (11.5%), LA Kings (10.3%), or Florida (12.9%) with 0 Stanley Cups and WAY less playoff appearances.

Thankfully Holland works his magic in the free agency market.

Speaking of free agency: Chelios is gone (*dances happily*--he's played well for us and helped bring the Cup to Detroit, but his time is done) and Holland begins talking to Hossa and others today. If the Wings sign Hossa and it results in them losing Leino: no thanks.