the hockey thread

[Taterbug]

Bump,  I had to find this thread buried on the 4th page. I can totally understand you guys that still have refused to forgive the NHL ,  But man,  What my Blackhawks have done is nothing short of amazing.

Nice bump, Taterhosen. Ive been tempted to bump this thread for awhile now. Im glad hockey season is back, and Ive been enjoying this shortened season (less time between games  ).

I really havent watched anyone besides the Pens and their opponent so far, but Im aware of the Hawks record/streak. Quite impressive, even moreso considering the limited practice time prior to the season. Im sure you will be dangerous!

" Taterhosen"  Nice !!!   22 and still going. 

[Jaimoe]

For those that have ever attended an NHL game will no doubt have heard this song at one point. The greatest Canadiana folk singer and Canadian icon died yesterday. R.I.P. Stompin Tom Connors:


Stompin' Tom Connors - The Hockey Song

[LeanneP]

We lost a major treasure yesterday. He was a bit like a Canadian Woody Guthrie - a man of the people, entertaining the people, singing about ordinary lives. 

[Jaimoe]

We lost a major treasure yesterday. He was a bit like a Canadian Woody Guthrie - a man of the people, entertaining the people, singing about ordinary lives.

Stompin was first and foremost a populist and patriot whereas Woody fought the law and thumbed his nose at government. Connors' music also does not translate outside our borders. Both however wrote about people and are national treasures.

[justbcuzido]

Chiming in a bit late. But damn my Blackhawks are just killing it. Of course the year I move away from Chicago and can't watch games regularly, they are killing it. I wouldn't have expected this level of play before the season started.

I'll never forget the 2010 Blackhawks Parade in Downtown Chicago. On the train on my way to work, my boss called me and said, "Hey, if you want to come in late, you can go to the parade. Have fun". The city was crazy that morning.

Any other Hawks fans on here?

[Jaimoe]

I like the Hawks, but they ain't my fav (see avatar). Been a fan since Bobby Orr played on one knee with Chicago. Loved Denis Savard, Steve Larmer and Al Secord too.

[justbcuzido]

I like the Hawks, but they ain't my fav (see avatar). Been a fan since Bobby Orr played on one knee with Chicago. Loved Denis Savard, Steve Larmer and Al Secord too.

I respect that a bunch. My Eastern team has always been the Pens (Lemiuex era inspired me when I played hockey as a kid).

On a side note, I thought the lockout would really hurt the momentum the NHL had been gaining in the past few years; however, the Hawks success has countered that in my opinion.

Cool article,

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324128504578346501110037258.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_sports

[ManNamedTruth]

Wow, my Pens grabbing all the headlines as of late and now we landed Jarome Iginla! Especially surprising after it was rumored he'd go to Boston. Pens all in for a cup this year.

[Jaimoe]

Wow, my Pens grabbing all the headlines as of late and now we landed Jarome Iginla! Especially surprising after it was rumored he'd go to Boston. Pens all in for a cup this year.

The Pens fleeced the Flames. Two college players and a projected 30th pick in the upcoming draft. Bad move for Calgary. They should've started the rebuild a few years ago. The Bruins had a better offer on the table. Iggy isn't the player he once was, but he'll be a demon in the playoffs.

[capt. scotty]

Wow, my Pens grabbing all the headlines as of late and now we landed Jarome Iginla! Especially surprising after it was rumored he'd go to Boston. Pens all in for a cup this year.

The Pens fleeced the Flames. Two college players and a projected 30th pick in the upcoming draft. Bad move for Calgary. They should've started the rebuild a few years ago. The Bruins had a better offer on the table. Iggy isn't the player he once was, but he'll be a demon in the playoffs.

Totally thinking on this, but maybe he wanted to play in Pittsburgh instead?

[Jaimoe]

Wow, my Pens grabbing all the headlines as of late and now we landed Jarome Iginla! Especially surprising after it was rumored he'd go to Boston. Pens all in for a cup this year.

The Pens fleeced the Flames. Two college players and a projected 30th pick in the upcoming draft. Bad move for Calgary. They should've started the rebuild a few years ago. The Bruins had a better offer on the table. Iggy isn't the player he once was, but he'll be a demon in the playoffs.

Totally thinking on this, but maybe he wanted to play in Pittsburgh instead?

Probably true, although he did give his GM a list of three teams he wanted to go to.

FYI, Iggy and Crosby have played together before on the same line at the 2010 Olympics.

I don't know how well people know Iginla in the US, but he's a class act on and off the ice. He has an interesting combo of intelligence and toughness, and remains the best power-forward of his era. Iginla said in the just-finished press conference that he wants to play five more years. This trade will certainly help him out.

[capt. scotty]

Ive been a big Iginla fan for awhile. I think he's been 1 of the most underrated players in his generation. I figured after the Morrow trade, no chance, but wow...Pens are certainly geared for the playoffs, but well see

[capt. scotty]

[Jaimoe]

Ive been a big Iginla fan for awhile. I think he's been 1 of the most underrated players in his generation. I figured after the Morrow trade, no chance, but wow...Pens are certainly geared for the playoffs, but well see

He's not underrated in Canada, not by a long shot.

He was a star for the Kamloops Blazers when he was 17 (his Kamloops team won the 1994 Memorial Cup, which is arguably the hardest championship to win in all of sport) and he was named the Western Hocky League's Player of the Year in 1996. I vividly remember Iggy dominating at the 1996 World Junior Championships in Boston. He's also been a member of Canada's National Team since 1997 (he was on Team Canada in 1997 at age 19, then the youngest member ever to suit up). He was arguably the best player on a loaded 2002 Olympic Gold Medal Team Canada (Lemieux, Sakic, Yzerman etc...).

One frustrating this with Iginla is that he's never had a real standout centre to play with. He's had to carry the Flames on his back since almos his rookie year.

[capt. scotty]

One frustrating this with Iginla is that he's never had a real standout centre to play with.

Well he's gonna play with Sid or Geno, so thats set.

Like i said, really like Iginla. When we got Morrow, I was disappointed bc I figured that meant Iginla wasnt happening.

Right now,if we dont win the cup, Pens fans hang their heads

[ManNamedTruth]

Wow, my Pens grabbing all the headlines as of late and now we landed Jarome Iginla! Especially surprising after it was rumored he'd go to Boston. Pens all in for a cup this year.

The Pens fleeced the Flames. Two college players and a projected 30th pick in the upcoming draft. Bad move for Calgary. They should've started the rebuild a few years ago. The Bruins had a better offer on the table. Iggy isn't the player he once was, but he'll be a demon in the playoffs.

Totally thinking on this, but maybe he wanted to play in Pittsburgh instead?

Probably true, although he did give his GM a list of three teams he wanted to go to.

FYI, Iggy and Crosby have played together before on the same line at the 2010 Olympics.

I don't know how well people know Iginla in the US, but he's a class act on and off the ice. He has an interesting combo of intelligence and toughness, and remains the best power-forward of his era. Iginla said in the just-finished press conference that he wants to play five more years. This trade will certainly help him out.

How pissed is Boston now? From what I understand, Iginla's no trade clause enabled him to basically choose where he wanted to go. Boston offered a better deal, but Pittsburgh had the leverage and didn't give up much to get him. Ray Shero has been robbing teams with these trades, I don't know how he does it.

[capt. scotty]

Truth, Im surprised how cheap we got Iginla, but at first glance I thought we overpaid for Brenden Morrow. Ive always liked Morrow, but trading Joe Morrow for him is a big deal. Apparently Joe M regressed this year and last years 1st round D picks Pouliot and Maatta are considered better than him at this point, but if you dont consider Despres or Bennett as "prospects", Morrow was top 3 and one of our best.

I actually think Brenden might be back next year cheap, I think his game has dropped off moreso than Iginla, but we are all-in for the cup this year. Im just hoping that doesnt mean Shero thinks he cant re-sign both Malkin and Letang after 2013-14 

[ManNamedTruth]

Truth, Im surprised how cheap we got Iginla, but at first glance I thought we overpaid for Brenden Morrow. Ive always liked Morrow, but trading Joe Morrow for him is a big deal. Apparently Joe M regressed this year and last years 1st round D picks Pouliot and Maatta are considered better than him at this point, but if you dont consider Despres or Bennett as "prospects", Morrow was top 3 and one of our best.

I actually think Brenden might be back next year cheap, I think his game has dropped off moreso than Iginla, but we are all-in for the cup this year. Im just hoping that doesnt mean Shero thinks he cant re-sign both Malkin and Letang after 2013-14 

As much as I love Letang, if you can only choose one you have to go with Geno. How much of Letang's success is the system he's in? Maybe Despres could be the next Letang?

[capt. scotty]

Truth, Im surprised how cheap we got Iginla, but at first glance I thought we overpaid for Brenden Morrow. Ive always liked Morrow, but trading Joe Morrow for him is a big deal. Apparently Joe M regressed this year and last years 1st round D picks Pouliot and Maatta are considered better than him at this point, but if you dont consider Despres or Bennett as "prospects", Morrow was top 3 and one of our best.

I actually think Brenden might be back next year cheap, I think his game has dropped off moreso than Iginla, but we are all-in for the cup this year. Im just hoping that doesnt mean Shero thinks he cant re-sign both Malkin and Letang after 2013-14 

As much as I love Letang, if you can only choose one you have to go with Geno. How much of Letang's success is the system he's in? Maybe Despres could be the next Letang?

Totally agree. Talked to my uncle a couple nights ago after the Morrow trade. I said if it comes down to one, who do you want? He said Letang easy, he's "arguably a top 3 D man in the league". No shit, and Malkin is arguably the best forward outside of Crosby, def top 3 IMO. Id take Malkin every day of the week.

Despres is definitely a puck mover like Letang. I like what Ive seen so far, hard to say what he becomes. Talent is def there. Were still stocked on the D line even after these trades, just another reason to keep Malkin over Letang, as much as I love Tanger. If we cant afford him, he's gonna bring us a haul.

Lets keep the hockey thread near the top of the forum man 

[Jaimoe]

Morrow is past his prime, but he's a hard-nosed leader and knows how to win. The depth on Pitt is astonishing. Iginla said that playing for the Pens is like playing for Team Canada in that he'll do whatever the coaches want. Morrow and Iginla have played together too (Team Canada), so they should have chemistry too.

Pitt must find a way to re-sign Letang. He's a one or two defenseman and at age 25 isn't even in his prime yet. If they can't sign him, he'd look great in Boston.