General Hockey Thread v3.0

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Originally Posted by claviculasolomonis

Semin for the Caps looks good - i wondered if/when he was going to start being able to put it together.

He looked good after they purged the team in '03-04 and he finally started getting minutes on the top 2 lines and the PP. I'm just glad he was able to realize that when the Caps sued him, they were really suing his agents and the Caps were able to get him back over here.

[Bronx33]

I thought this was kinda funny.


Hey John,


I'm being released from prison tomorrow after serving a long sentence for assaulting the organ player at Boston Garden. His Muzak version of The Dead's "Bertha" was too much for any man to take. I only meant to scare him when I tossed my hot dog his way, but the next thing I knew, mustard and relish everywhere. Oh, the humanity. Anyway, now that I have paid my debt to society, and will once again have access to the outside world, I have two questions for you:

1. In your opinion, what has been the biggest change in the NHL since I was locked up 10 years ago?

2. How do you think my Whalers will do this year?

Thanks John!
Bleeding Green,
Gordie (Danbury Federal Penitentiary)


The Boston Bruins have a European captain. The Earth remains on its axis. Look for the Whale to make a run at the Eastern Conference this season. Pat Verbeek inexplicably grew 6 inches. Look for him to score 40-50 goals this season and become eligible for ALL rides at Six Flags in Agawam, Mass.

Follow me. Follow me to freedom.

[Nuggets4]

I love Bucci's columns.

I know Theodore's not real popular around these parts, but if he keeps playing like he has the first two games this season, will you guys still be unhappy with his contract?

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by Nuggets4

I know Theodore's not real popular around these parts, but if he keeps playing like he has the first two games this season, will you guys still be unhappy with his contract?

If he plays up to his contract, there's nothing to be unhappy about.

Go Theo!!

[Mtbrncofn]

Originally Posted by Nuggets4

I love Bucci's columns.

I know Theodore's not real popular around these parts, but if he keeps playing like he has the first two games this season, will you guys still be unhappy with his contract?

I have a good nickname for him, but I can't use until the time is right. I'm not the basher of Jose everyone thinks I am. I really want the guy to succeed, I just get disappointed very easily with him it seems. It's got to be this whole second or third crack at quitting smoking. It's getting to me.

I wasn't trying to be an a-hole with the Forsberg question. I was being serious. Is there a reason that they don't let his number be used? Are they going to wait and retire it when he retires?

[Breck Bronc]

Originally Posted by Mtbrncofn

I wasn't trying to be an a-hole with the Forsberg question. I was being serious. Is there a reason that they don't let his number be used? Are they going to wait and retire it when he retires?

Have you heard that the Avalanche organization isn't allowing players to wear #21? If not, I'm sure every current Avalanche player knows that #21 probably isn't the best number to choose since Forsberg was so popular in Denver. Plus, there's so many numbers to choose from for a hockey player, unlike in the NFL were you're always going to have guys like Javon Walker and Darrent Williams wearing famous numbers due to the NFL's uniform restrictions.

Peter Forsberg will certainly have his #21 in the Pepsi Center rafters after he retires from hockey. It'll be up there with 33, 77, and 19. I think #52 should be up there at some point, too. Rob Blake has no chance now; Milan Hejduk needs to finish his career in Denver and have about 5 more good seasons to get consideration.

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by Mtbrncofn

I wasn't trying to be an a-hole with the Forsberg question. I was being serious. Is there a reason that they don't let his number be used? Are they going to wait and retire it when he retires?

They're not issuing the #21 because they're saving it for when Forsberg comes back to the Avs next season.

OK, wishful thinking aside, they're likely not issuing it because they figure he's going to retire very soon and after that happens, they'll be raising that number to the rafters at Pepsi Center.

[Mtbrncofn]

Have you heard that the Avalanche organization isn't allowing players to wear #21?

No, I have never heard anything like that. Just an observation. I guess I equated it to the NFL. They gave up TD and Eddie Mac's #'s so quickly. The TD one really pained me.

I'm surprised Shannon's 84 wasn't retired by the Broncos, but I'm very happy with how it's being used these days.

[alkemical]

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/...11/detail.html

ERG: Isle Of Capri Will Likely Win Pittsburgh Casino Bid

PITTSBURGH -- According to Equity Research Gaming published by the Susquehanna Financial Group, there are new odds predicting the applicants to operate a stand-alone casino in Pittsburgh.

It comes in the wake of the recent buyout offer for Harrah's and the new ownership of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

According to ERG, the odds for the Isle of Capri bid have increased, the odds for the Station Square gaming has decreased, and the odds for PITG have stayed the same.

This puts the Isle of Capri in the lead.

The winner is expected to be announced in December.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Looks like the Caps 1st rounders from this past draft are doing ok so far. Backstrom leads the Swedish league in points, and apparently has had no help in the process. Varlamov is starting for his RSL team at 18, which apparently is a big deal, and it also looks like he'll at least be one of the goalies on the Russian WJC team, if not the starter.

[chadta]

Originally Posted by Bronx33

Defense takes a hit..

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid...e&service=page

Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Mike Rathje sidelined by herniated disc



PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Flyers defenceman Mike Rathje is out indefinitely because of a herniated disc in his back and will find out next week if he needs surgery.

"I had symptoms all last season and basically I can't skate as well as I can," Rathje said before the Flyers game Saturday night against the Rangers. "I can't shoot as well as I can, and it really drops my play down."

Rathje will have more tests Monday to decide if he needs surgery or rehabilitation. Flyers trainer Jim McCrossin said surgery would keep Rathje out about four weeks. If not, he could miss up to two weeks.

"Our goal is for Mike to have no symptoms when he comes back," McCrossin said.

Rathje had three goals and 21 assists in 79 games last season.

This is a good thing not a hit, rathje is nothing more then a big friggin pylon out there, if only we could get hatcher to hurt himself too.

On the bright side we finally won a game last night.

Final note, hamilton will never get an NHL team because then toronto would want one too.

[Bronx33]

Well the nucks juggernalt drops another game to the wild.

[24champ]

Some good news, after seeing the Coyotes play tonight...Im not worried about the Kings finishing last in the Pacific.

[broncocalijohn]

After watching the Ducks in person tonight i came to the conclusion that it is a different year but same results. Ducks make first shootout goal then proceeded to miss the next 5 shots. Of course that means the Islanders didnt do so hot either making 2 of 6. This is how the Ducks got a lower seed last year as they couldnt get the extra points and proceeded to give those points in the Western Conference. At least Avs caught the same bug and NY is in the East. Dallas coming in Sunday. That wont be watched while in Mile High.

[Bronx33]

Aebischer doing well......


Aebischer stopped 27 shots, and Michael Ryder and Alex Kovalev scored goals to lead the Canadiens to a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.

The Canadiens only needed the standard three periods to put this one away after opening the season with two straight shootouts. They split those, and now head home for Saturday's opener against Ottawa with two victories on their trip.

''We've played really well all three games,'' Aebischer said. ''There's always a period of adjustment in a couple of areas, but I thought we've worked really hard and that's the key.''
Related Info

* Highlights: MTL 2, PHI 1

Montreal owes this one to Aebischer, who was stellar in earning his second win of the season in another hostile environment. The Flyers couldn't slip one past on the power play, wasting all eight chances, including an 0-for-4 effort in the first period.



Philadelphia went 1-for-5 on the power play in a 4-2 win at New York on Tuesday.

''This is a really frustrating loss because we really could have built something,'' Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock said. ''We could have built from the momentum of the last two games and we didn't.''

The Flyers trailed 2-0 going into the third, but R.J. Umberger scored nearly 2 minutes into the period to energize the crowd. It had no impact on Aebischer. He stopped 13 shots in the third and kept the Flyers winless at home this season (0-1-1).

Fittingly, the Flyers came up empty playing the final 1:53 on a power play. Chris Higgins added a short-handed, empty-netter in the final seconds.

''We did a lot better job to take care of our end in the third period, and we played a lot better defensively,'' Kovalev said.

Starting his third straight game and second in two nights, Antero Niittymaki had 20 saves for the Flyers. Even with a torn labrum in his left hip, Niittymaki seems to have edged out Robert Esche as Philadelphia's No. 1 goalie. Niittymaki decided to have a cortisone shot instead of surgery to repair the tear, and it appears it was the smart move, even though he has only one win, so far.

Niittymaki said his hip has not been a problem since his shot.

''I feel something once in a while, but nothing major,'' he said. ''It doesn't bother me at all.''

The Canadiens scored only 38 seconds into the game on Ryder's second goal of the season. Montreal jumped on a loose puck, and worked it around the boards before Ryder knocked it past Niittymaki.

''It's not fun to get scored on in the first minute,'' Niittymaki said.

The Flyers were all over Aebischer early in the period, firing one shot off the post, but wasted just under seven minutes of power-play time. They had a two-man advantage for 58 of those seconds, but Aebischer never flinched.

Montreal caught a break early in the second on Kovalev's goal. The puck caromed to the left circle, and Nolan Baumgartner momentarily had his stick on it before the puck slid away from him. It came right to Kovalev who sent a quick wrist shot over Niittymaki's left glove to make it 2-0.

The Flyers skated off the ice to boos, a little quieter than usual because of a surprising number of empty seats.

Notes: Flyers D Mike Rathje was tentatively diagnosed with piriformis syndrome on Wednesday, and not a herniated disk as originally thought, trainer Jim McCrossin said. Rathje, sidelined since playing in the opener, will be examined again in the next two days to confirm the diagnosis. McCrossin said Rathje will only need an injection and not surgery. ''In a best-case scenario, we are hoping Mike can be back on the ice late next week,'' McCrossin said. The Piriformis is one of the small muscles deep in the buttocks that rotates the leg outwards.

[Bronx33]

Huh! i never knew klee had a place up in morrison.


CENTENNIAL - Ask an Indiana native to name his favorite sports movie and odds are he'll pick the basketball film Hoosiers.

Miracle on Ice would seem more appropriate for Ken Klee and John- Michael Liles, even though both were born in Indianapolis and are well aware of the hoops hysteria that exists in their home state.

They just happen to play hockey for a living as Avalanche defensemen.

"It's kind of funny that we've got that Indiana connection, and now he's my defense partner," Liles said.

Washington Capitals forward Donald Brashear is the only other active NHL player born in Indiana, but he was raised in Montreal.

In a way, Klee, 35, feels as if he has come back home after signing with the Avalanche in July as a free agent. He and his wife have had a house in Morrison since 1998, when he was playing for the Capitals, but until this year, it was empty during hockey season.

"We used to travel around the summer a lot and look at different places to live," Klee said. "Denver offered so much outdoor life with hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing. We just kind of took a chance. We knew we wanted to live on the water or in the mountains, and we decided the mountains were where we wanted to be."

Klee was a Capitals rookie in 1994-95 when veteran Dave Poulin gave him what he still regards as a practical piece of advice.

"He said, 'Buy a house where you want to live, not where you play.' That's something I'll never forget," Klee said. "Thankfully, we did it. We found a place where we wanted to live. No matter what happens with hockey, you always have a place to call home.

"Now we're thrilled to be able to stay at home and be down to one house. We have three kids, and it's nice to not have to move them all over the country and to Canada like we did the last couple of years. We made a lot of friends here over the years and it's real exciting for us to be home."

Liles, 25, was born and raised in Indiana, but Klee was a toddler when his family moved to Broomfield, where he learned to skate and play hockey.

The family moved back to Indianapolis when Klee was 6, then to Kansas City seven years later. Klee continued to play hockey and progressed enough to leave home at 17 to play Junior B hockey at legendary St. Michael's in Toronto alongside a teenage star named Eric Lindros.

From there, Klee earned a scholarship to Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Klee was a freshman when Rob Blake was a senior there, making it all the more interesting that he has supplanted Blake as Liles' defense partner.

When Blake left Colorado in July to sign with Los Angeles, Klee and his agent contacted Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere, and they eventually agreed on a one-year deal for $700,000.

"I was excited for a fresh start, and with Rob Blake leaving, that opened up a lot of minutes," said Klee, who spent his first nine seasons with Washington and most of two seasons with Toronto until a trade in March sent him to New Jersey.

Through three games with the Avalanche, Klee is averaging 22 minutes of ice time, second on the team to Brett Clark's 24:25.

"Kenny is a real experienced guy, a real good pro," coach Joel Quenne-ville said. "The fact that we use him a little bit on special teams is a compliment to what he can do. He's probably playing more than we initially anticipated."

That could change once Jordan Leopold is cleared to play after recovering from hernia surgery, but Klee is making the most of his opportunity.

"I just have to keep making good decisions and playing smart hockey and, hopefully, I'll keep getting rewarding with ice (time)," he said.

Klee's fellow Hoosier is happy, too.

"I had the privilege of playing with 'Blakie' for two years - a big, solid, dependable defenseman - and Kenny's been very good for me," Liles said. "Anybody that's played in the league this long has a lot of knowledge, and I try to pick his brain as much as I can."

[SoCalBronco]

Jordan Staal with his first NHL goal. Shorthanded.

Great to see him steal it and breakaway.

Fleury having another great night.

PIT 1 NYR 0 in the second period.

[SoCalBronco]

Jagr scores to tie it up.

[SoCalBronco]

Rookie Kris Letang also with his first NHL goal from Crosby to tie it up at 2-2 after Cullen scored earlier to give the Rags the lead.

[SoCalBronco]

Hall with a one timer on the PP, ****.

[SoCalBronco]

Crosby with a sweet pass to Oullet on the other side of the net to tie it at 3.

[SoCalBronco]

Sweet......Armstrong to Crosby to Whitney on the PP for the goal.

Penguins, 4-3.

3 assists for Sidney, tonight so far.

[SoCalBronco]

Come on PK'ers, kill it off

[SoCalBronco]

****, 2 man advantage

[SoCalBronco]

Nylander ties it up.

****