the hockey thread

[Jaimoe]

There's nothing cool about what the Leaf organization does. They are only in it for the money and have very little integrity. Montreal is one of the classiest organizations in all of sport. The Leafs only care about the bottom line.

there's just something about montreal, that i just don't like. i really don't have a reason, but i just do. the leafs, need to get there money set on getting to the playoffs. i need a leafs jersey badly. i had  capitals and senators jersey. for some reason i never get a jersey of teams of any sport i really like.

Montreal is all class. Just watch the way they treat their alumni during team/player tributes and jersey retirings. Once a Hab always a Hab.

There's always been talk that the Leaf management and ownership doesn't want the Leafs to be anything but mediocre since it breeds relentless support. If they won, the mystique would be over. Of course all of this is horseshit, but the Leafs haven't had a top-flight GM since the 60's and have never had the best player in hockey... ever. The Leafs and the Rangers are the wealthiest teams in the NHL, but no team has the fanbase that the Leafs have, and you can include teams worldwide too.

[joey_rogo]

It's that time of year again. CBC doubleheader tonight plus my Rangers take on the Panthers. Anyone else as excited as I am?? :D

[Jaimoe]

It's that time of year again. CBC doubleheader tonight plus my Rangers take on the Panthers. Anyone else as excited as I am?? :D

I believe you are American, Joey, thus I love seeing you give a shout-out to HNIC. I'm glad you'll be watching. The Rangers have a great mix this year and will be a contenter for the Cup. I can't wait for the two CBC games: The Battle of Ontario (Toronto vs Ottawa) and the late game, Calgary vs Philly (two teams loaded with players I love).

[joey_rogo]

I believe you are American, Joey, thus I love seeing you give a shout-out to HNIC. I'm glad you'll be watching. The Rangers have a great mix this year and will be a contenter for the Cup. I can't wait for the two CBC games: The Battle of Ontario (Toronto vs Ottawa) and the late game, Calgary vs Philly (two teams loaded with players I love).

true story jaimoe, for I am american. but i live so close to canada that i get CBC on my local tv. i also get MSG so i can watch my rangers. i watched them come from behind to pounce on them panthers. i also watched both cbc games because i have 2 tvs in my place. they were all pretty close games, except for my rangers owning them panths towards the end. i guess what im trying to say is that hockey is awesome, and i love every hockey fan.... even if you like the sabres (not you that you like them, but some of my buds do)... goodnight.

[ManNamedTruth]

Penguins all the way!!!!!!

[.Walt]

and just because



favorite minnesota hockey team...

[red]

My Capitals are 2-0 baby!

[joey_rogo]

ok, so yeah, the rangers suck.  :(

putting that aside, i just watched the greatest ncaa hockey game i've ever seen. clarkson 5 slu 4 in OT. ....talk about a change in momentum :o

[.Walt]

ok, i got into a very very heated argument with a buddy. Living in minnesota, i have to deal with a bunch of homers daily. here's the argument:

he was saying that Marian Gaborik is a great player. I said its too early to be saying that. especially when he's never healthy and career high in points in only 66. that isn't great. sure i love him on NHL 08...when i take the injuries off. sure 5 goals in one game is great, but it is what it is...one game. let's be real. he has everything to become great, but he really hasn't done anything...yet.

agree or disagree?

[Jaimoe]

Gaborik is a great player, but injury-prone. It's that simple. That fucking weasel of all weasels Martin Havlat is a great player too, but he's really soft and gets injured just by putting on his shoulder pads. Gaborik has shown more than just flashes of brilliance. When healthy, he can put big numbers up in bunches. Marian gets groin injuries, which is indicative to the poor ice conditions in mulit-purpose arenas like in Minnesota and virtually everywhere else in North America. Gaborik ain't no Cam Neely, but Neely still a trailbalzing power-forward even if injuries really shortened his career. You should argue with your buddy about whether Eric Lindros should get into the Hall of Fame. I don't see why there's an arguement regarding Gaborik. He's still only 25. Another good arguement is whether Sergi Federov should get into the Hall. I say no. Lindros yes, and he was more injuried than Gaborick by a long-shot.

[ManNamedTruth]

speaking of injuries, not sure when Crosby will return. the injury came right when we were on a great role. i'm hoping the penguins can do alright without him and keep a playoff spot.

[.Walt]

Gaborik is a great player, but injury-prone. It's that simple. That fucking weasel of all weasels Martin Havlat is a great player too, but he's really soft and gets injured just by putting on his shoulder pads. Gaborik has shown more than just flashes of brilliance. When healthy, he can put big numbers up in bunches. Marian gets groin injuries, which is indicative to the poor ice conditions in mulit-purpose arenas like in Minnesota and virtually everywhere else in North America. Gaborik ain't no Cam Neely, but Neely still a trailbalzing power-forward even if injuries really shortened his career. You should argue with your buddy about whether Eric Lindros should get into the Hall of Fame. I don't see why there's an arguement regarding Gaborik. He's still only 25. Another good arguement is whether Sergi Federov should get into the Hall. I say no. Lindros yes, and he was more injuried than Gaborick by a long-shot.

the reason that there's an arguement, is because i don't feel that he has done anything great. his carreer highs aren't great. sure when he plays he does great things. and you're right he's only 25. again 66pts carreer high is not great. he must prove to me that he can stay heathly, and also put up numbers. i'm not going to crown him yet.  its simple...put up numbers, be a league leader, and stay heathly for a couple of years.  in my opinion, he hasn't even had one great year, so how does that make him great? too bad there isn't a stat for potental. or a stat called "if he played every game".

[Jaimoe]

the reason that there's an arguement, is because i don't feel that he has done anything great. his carreer highs aren't great. sure when he plays he does great things. and you're right he's only 25. again 66pts carreer high is not great. he must prove to me that he can stay heathly, and also put up numbers. i'm not going to crown him yet.  its simple...put up numbers, be a league leader, and stay heathly for a couple of years.  in my opinion, he hasn't even had one great year, so how does that make him great? too bad there isn't a stat for potental. or a stat called "if he played every game".

I respectfully disagree with some of your points regarding Gaborik. His points-per-game totals through his career are really good if not great. He plays hurt and is the offensive linchpin on a defense-first heavy trapping team. Gaborik got 66 points in 65 games playing hurt in '05-'06. He also got 57 points in 48 games the year after and he has 51 in 44 this year. Internationally, Gaborik is a force for Slovakia (and international hockey is as respected as the NHL, like the World Cup, Canada Cup, IIHF World Championship and World Junior Championships; compare that with the apathy felt towards international baseball and basketball). Ignore the stats for one second and just watch him play. You can easily tell he's better than most players on the ice. He's better than Demitra and Bouchard, the latter will be a great player; right now he's a pretty darn good young player, as are Koivu and Burns. That Sheppard kid is going to be a good one too. He was a fantastic player in the QJHL.

[rugbird]

Blackhawks hangin in there. Toews still out for 2-3 weeks.  Havlat back but not doin much.  Might have to admit Jaimoe was right on him.  Not ready to yet though.

[joey_rogo]

Watching the Brian Leetch ceremony. Tie Domi just rode an ATV onto the ice. The Rangers better win tonight...

[Jaimoe]

Blackhawks hangin in there. Toews still out for 2-3 weeks.  Havlat back but not doin much.  Might have to admit Jaimoe was right on him.  Not ready to yet though.

Havlat is a dirty weasel, but really talented. He's also one of the softest players in the league. Gaborik isn't soft, but he's been really unlucky with groin injuries. For the record, I'm not even a fan of Gaborik.

Too bad about Toews, but he's shown to be durable in college and at the international level. Chicago is on the rise. I love their defense too.

[red]

Anyone tuning into the All Star Game?  I love Kathleen Edwards even more now.  

[Jaimoe]

Anyone tuning into the All Star Game?  I love Kathleen Edwards even more now.  

The only all-star game worse than the NHL's no-hitter is the NFL Pro-Bowl. Both are unwatchable. That being said, The Hives ripped it up to kick things off tonight and I loved seeing and hearing Kathleen Edwards singing the Canuck anthem. After that, I turned the game off and watched a GREAT documentary, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. It's funny, full of suspense and has a great villain. It's also sad and uplifting. Who would've thunk trying to beat the high score in Donkey Kong could be so compelling?

[red]

I almost threw up when last night when I saw the replay of what happened to Zednik.  

[Jaimoe]

I can't bear to watch the Zednik footage. I know I'll see it tonight on TSN or during the Raptors half-time show.