Hockey's Back

[Blue56]

Finally it's over!!!!
What are your thoughts.

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/cba050713.html

[LesPaul]

Happy. Just wanna see some NHL again. Hopefully they don't go bankrupt before they get going again.

[PissedPrincess]

:sleep:

[I Are Baboon]

I'll watch because I am a consumer whore.

[awefullspellare]

Freaking awesome. Hockey is my favorite sport so I will definitely be following as closely as I can. Not much TV coverage I assume but tsn.ca has great stuff.

[Timberwolf]

Jacqui's reaction is basically my reaction.

With that said, I am very happy for people like the ushers, custodians, announcers, PR people, and others that work for the NHL teams. They got their jobs back and I am sure there will be more jobs to come from the NHL teams. Those folks have taken a huge hit in the lockout. Also business around the arenas like the one at Reids which is right by the Xcel Energy Center should prosper again. I read where several bars and restaurants had to close down because of the lockout in several cities. They rely on the NHL to get fans to come to the bars and restaurants during or after the game.

This sport has a lot of work to do. Even if there was no lockout, the league has to do so many things to make the sports relevant to the mainstream fans and media. The only way the sport will get better is if they get good players.

Already though the NHL is off to a rough start IMO. First off, why should there be a lottery for any team to win the rights of Sidney Crosby (think of him as the NHL's version of Lebron James). Reward Crosby to the team who had the worse record of the NHL two years ago. Why should teams like the Avalanche, Red Wings, or another successful team win the rights to Crosby? The one thing that really worries me is the fact the draft could be rigged in which the New York Rangers wins the rights of Crosby. If that's the case, I am never going to follow hockey ever again. I am not kidding either. Why should the Rangers be rewarded for ineptcy over the years? Why? I hear the NHL needs NY to succeed. I am so sick and tired of the saying about how the 4 big sports need NY to succeed for the sport to be successful. That's such a myth. I really hope it's not rigged to the point that the Rangers win the rights for that kid. It's bad enough everyone in hockey hate the Rangers for their arrogance and greed. Why piss hockey fans that are already ticked off as it is?

Also, I hear playoff spots could be expanded. What for? Eight is enough. In fact, I think eight may be too much. Why should bad and mediocore teams be rewarded? Over the years, there were some bad teams in the playoffs (Blues from two years ago) that had no business making the playoffs. Expanding playoff spots is not the answer.

I don't have the answers to be honest, but Bettman's idea is not even working. Shootouts, expanding the nets, increasing the ice, rewarding bad teams playoff spots, and likely rigging the lottery for a big-market team like the Blackhawks or the Rangers to get Crosby does not even make sense. What the sport need is better players not the other garbage that Bettman is throwing out there.

Game on!

[Royce]

Geez..you hate everyone NY that much?



Speaking of the Rangers, they only have 4 players under contract right now. Jagr, Holik, Kasparitis, and one I'm forgetting. This should be good for them to pretty much start fresh with a young team.

And why reward Crosby to the team with the worst record? There's always been a lottery in the NHL for the top 5 draft picks.

[Timberwolf]

You sure, Royce? I could have swore the worst team in hockey won the first pick hence why teams purposedly lose. I recalled in the early 80s the Penguins purposedly lost games just so they can get Mario Lemieux. Devils and the Pens were the two worse teams in hockey back then, but the Pens apparently thought it was cute to lose a lot of games on purpose.

I think the Coyotes need to get Crosby. For one thing, Phoenix desperately need an hockey audience in the worst way especially with the Suns dominating the sports landscape in the winter. Second, I think Crosby could help the Coyotes be a contender. Coyotes need all the help they can get. That franchise is a mess.

[renuszm]

Yes there is a lottery in hockey. If we gave the Washington Capitals the first pick again, they would end up with Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.

[Timberwolf]

WOW! I thought NHL and MLB are the same thing as far as draft goes in which the worse team gets the first pick.

Having Overchkin and Crosby in the nation's capital would not bother me.

I am rooting for Phx to get him because I would love to see the Coyotes do well. I think Phoenix is a good hockeytown. Unfortunately, they have nothing to cheer for in recent years.

[Chisox73]

Here's what will happen in Chicago.

Bill Wirtz will raise ticket prices again,continue his decades old policy on not televising any home games,while struggling to get at least 8,000 to see his sorry product.

Oh,and they will lose 50 games again,and will be out of the playoff hunt by December. :tongue:

Blackhawks 2005-06 Marketing Slogan;Our goalie will have the worst sunburn in the NHL.

[Timberwolf]

Is Jocelyn Thibault still the #1 goaltender for the Blackhawks? This guy is so maddening to watch. He is either very good or very bad.

Bill Wirtz is an embrassment. Even worse than Red McCombs if I can believe it.

It will be interesting how Dave Tallon does as a GM. I think he is better off in the TV booth with Pat Foley. Hawks need professionals to do their job not being people from the minor leagues.

[Chisox73]

As far as I know,Thibault is still there.

Those remaining Blackhawks fans that are left know that if Dale Tallon is unable to get the job done,Bob Pulford won't hesitate to take over the reins again. :angry:

I think it will be interesting to see what kind of job new coach Trent Yawney will do.He coached all those young players that the Hawks have now.He coached them in the minors.

Trust me when I say this.Wirtz makes McCombs look like Steinbrenner.

[Blue56]

rotoworld**

If Colorado can't find the cap room to re-sign Peter Forsberg, don't be surprised if the Bruins take a run at the 32-year-old superstar.
Boston is one of the NHL clubs that has almost $20 million in free agent money to spend. Also look for the Bruins to look into re-signing Glen Murray at a bargain price and to promote Hannu Toivinen to be Andrew Raycroft's understudy.

HUH?

[Baseball Guru]

:sleep:

uh huh:sleep:


Screw the NHL :doublefin

[Plastic Bat]

Freaking awesome. Hockey is my favorite sport so I will definitely be following as closely as I can. Not much TV coverage I assume but tsn.ca has great stuff.

Mine next to Baseball.... :banana:

[Blue56]

It's going to be a busy and really crazy summer.

[Trots]

The reason the league is allowing all the teams into the Crosby lottery, in theory, is because so many teams have so few players signed. It's hard to figure out which teams are really the worst in the league when some teams have 16 or 20 guys under contract and others have less than ten.

To offset some of the pre-lockout good teams from getting the first pick, the draft is weighted. I don't necessarily agree with the entire premise, but the league is in such a state of flux that its hard to determine what to do about much of anything.

From the moment the CBA gets approved, it's going to be free-for-all. Especially when some teams are forced to buy out veteran, high paid players just to create cap space. I'm guessing lots of familar faces will be in new places on Opening Night.

James, I thought you might embrace the owners pounding of the union. Guess I was wrong.

Timberwolf, I'm not convinced that a single city south of the Mason-Dixon line is a good hockey town. San Jose is fine and LA is stronger than most give them credit for, but beyond them? Okay, Colorado is very good, but this is their second chance and they inherited a championship level team.

I'd like to believe Phoenix is, but I'm not convinced. I guess I'd need to see local tv ratings amongst other things before making a decision either way. Selling out an arena in the playoffs is possible anywhere, Carolina being the best example.

I like hockey and will watch about as much as I always have. Which is far less than baseball, football, basketball and maybe another sport or two, but I'll still watch. Every other sport has had labor disputes, I'm just getting used to them.

[Baseball Guru]

James, I thought you might embrace the owners pounding of the union. Guess I was wrong.


No, you know me well and I do embrace it but I am just bitter overall about losing a WHOLE season... Strikes really leave me bitter... It did for about 2 years with baseball, I still dont watch the NBA since their strike and I think I feel the same way about the NHL as I do the NBA:(

[Royce]

Just give Crosby to the Rangers. I've endured enough torture since 1994.

[Plastic Bat]

Never, he should got ot the Bruins!!!!

[Blue56]

Never, he should got ot the Bruins!!!!
Another Bruins fan here? I'm A bruins fan :D
I'd love to see Crosby and Bergeron on the same line once again :D

[Royce]

Wow, now that I think of it, I barely remember what players are on what teams in the NHL. I just tried to think of players on the Bruins and all I came up with is Throtan and Knuble (if he's even still on them). I have some catching up to do.

[Blue56]

Knuble signed with phiadelphia in the offseason last year :( F*ck O'connel couldn't have signed him for 900 000$$$!!!!
WHat I hate the most is that They Lost Nylander to Washington and might lose Gonchar, after trading all kinds of pics. :angry:

[Royce]

Knuble is the man. He was awesome for the Rangers. Another great move letting him go.

[Blue56]

I loved Knuble with Boston. Big guy on the first line. He was amazing.

[patchyfogg]

Here's a little interview that we did with Newsday's Alan Hahn this past Thursday night. Hope you enjoy!


http://hosted.filefront.com/patchyfogg

[awefullspellare]

Colorado is a great hockey city. I believe they have a freaking huge sellout streak.

Crosby lottery is in 15 minutes. I'm hoping for Pittsburgh or Columbus because both can have bright futures. Rangers worry me with screwing up Crosby's future and Buffalo is an interesting situation. I hope it's not some team with 1 ball though.

[awefullspellare]

My bad lottery is tomorrow. For some reason thought it was Friday lol.

[patchyfogg]

[QUOTE=awefullspellare]Colorado is a great hockey city. I believe they have a freaking huge sellout streak.QUOTE]

Wait, Colorado's a city?????

[BPBlueSox]

wooooooooooooooooooooo penguins!! :D :D :D

[Dream machine]

Habs get 5th baby!Not bad for a team with only 1 ball.

[Chisox73]

Here's how the 2005 Draft order will shape up;

1. Pittsburgh
2. Anaheim
3. Carolina
4. Minnesota
5. Montreal
6. Columbus
7. Chicago
8. Atlanta
9. Ottawa
10. Vancouver
11. Los Angeles
12. San Jose
13. Buffalo
14. Washington
15. NY Islanders
16. NY Rangers
17. Phoenix
18. Nashville
19. Detroit
20. Philadelphia
21. Toronto
22. Boston
23. New Jersey
24. St.Louis
25. Edmonton
26. Calgary
27. Colorado
28. Dallas
29. Florida
30. Tampa Bay

[Dream machine]

I feel kinda bad for the Panthers.They have 3 balls and they are 29th.

[renuszm]

Habs get 5th baby!Not bad for a team with only 1 ball.
and Crosby will come to Montreal when he hits unrestricted free agency (at 25 :D )

[BPBlueSox]

and Crosby will come to Montreal when he hits unrestricted free agency (at 25 :D )

keep dreaming! :D

[Cyberlibrarian]

I feel kinda bad for the Panthers.They have 3 balls and they are 29th.

The Rangers had 3 balls and they were 16th. And their fans were on the radio all afternoon yesterday whining about it. :hmm:

[renuszm]

keep dreaming! :D
Enjoy him in Pittsburgh, he's a great player. I like to think of him as a Hab someday since he is a Habs fan, and with UFA set so low, I could see it happening. But I'm not going to make a gaurantee either.
By the way, Pittsburgh will win a cup in the next 2-3 years. Malkin, Crosby, Whitney, Flerury= championship. I think the only one of those that could be a bust is Whitney, but I doubt that.

[Dream machine]

By the way, Pittsburgh will win a cup in the next 2-3 years. Malkin, Crosby, Whitney, Flerury= championship. I think the only one of those that could be a bust is Whitney, but I doubt that.
:nono1: Just because they got Crosby doesn't mean he will be a force to be reckoned with.They still have horrible defence.A rookie cannot make a team into a cup contender just like that.It takes lots of retooling especially if it's a team like the Pens.And Fleury is a good goalie but he's still not good enough to lead a team to a cup.

[renuszm]

:nono1: Just because they got Crosby doesn't mean he will be a force to be reckoned with.They still have horrible defence.A rookie cannot make a team into a cup contender just like that.It takes lots of retooling especially if it's a team like the Pens.And Fleury is a good goalie but he's still not good enough to lead a team to a cup.
I said in the next 2-3 years. These 4 players will be a major boost for them, and with the new salary cap system it allows to go out and get a defensemen and possibly bring back Alexei Kovalev. Pittsburgh will be a top team soon.

[Dream machine]

Even then I still can't see that team doing too well.Maybe a berth in the playoffs at the 7 or 8th seed,but that's all.