NHL 2003-2004 Season

[JAE]

Well, its right around the corner.
How does your team look in the preseason?

What are your predictions before things get rolling?

And how much does it suck that we may not have the NHL around for a while next year?


My prediction: The Islanders will be in one of the top three spots in their division for most of the season.

[slinger]

Sens have done alright. High expectations for them. I know guys at TSN have them as favourites to win the Stanley Cup and I'm sure others will too after going to Game 7 of the Con Finals and keeping the majority of the lineup. The Northeast Division looks stronger probably one of the strongest so it will tough to win the division.

Interesting to see how the Avs do with their 'cheap' new players. Where's Cujo going to end up? Will Hasek be the goalie he was two years ago?

[Kris Hodgson]

I can't wait for the season to start. I just hope Potvin fits in well with the Bruins. If he plays well, I think Boston has a chance of making past the first round this year. I'd love it if they won the cup, but I have to be realistic. They still need to move some players around. I think the Maple Leafs have a contending team this year. They may make it far.

[Sparhawk]

I can't wait for this season to get rolling. The Leafs have such a talented bunch of forwards, just have to see if the defence can hold their own......

[Shaister]

Habs are 0-3 in preseason thus far but lately they did the opposite and did horrible in the regular season.
Habs should do well this season.
As for predictions:
Detroit over Montreal
but for real Detroit over Ottawa

[Rocketboy]

I live in Michigan, so we naturally have high expectations. :)

[equipe]

Perfect I was about to start a thread about this season...

As for my Leafs, I'm a bit worried about the state of the defense and health issues with the forwards. Nolan's back isn't going to last the whole season most likely and Roberts and Nieuendyk are getting long in the tooth and both have injury issues. If health isn't an issue we can be called contenders only by the fact that we have two monster forward lines. Our defense though has some holes. Kaberle and McCabe make a great duo but after that it get worrysome. Marchment may not be that old but he has knee problems and was never that mobile. Berg is Berg and that will never change. Jackman looks as if his past is behind him which is a bright spot, and we still need one more body back there and it looks more and more that it will be a youngster. There is a lot of talent in our youth on the blueline. Hedin, Coliacovo, Harrison, Bell, Kondratiev but no one knows if any of them are going to be all that this season. My guess is that Hedin and Kondratiev share the young player duties. it would be Coliacovo but he needs some time to heal from a few bang-ups. Goaltending is not a worry for us now or in the future. Belfour is still a solid goalie and with young backstops like Tellqvist, Centomo and Ford we will have plenty of goalies for years to come. As for this season, to begin the year Tellqvist will be the backup as Kidd heals from surgery, but he wil take over his spot unless Tellqvist really shines, and then it may be game over for the Billy Goat.

As for the future forwards for the Leafs there aren't too many bright spots and is cause for mild concern. The problem with having a consistantly high ranking and stable team is that you lose out on any high ranking, high scoring draft picks. We had Brad Boyes but he was traded in the Nolan deal and after that there are a few scorers like Wellwood and Sagat, but those two are the only sure bets to be solid NHLers in the future.

Well that's enough ranting for now. Maybe more later. Cheers.

[sniktawt]

As Always I see nothing on the horizon For My Carolina Hurricanes.But I always hope.

[IamMrDJ]

What esle do I haveto say besides Sakic, Forsberg, Hedjuk, Kariya, Seallane, Blake, Fotte, Tanguay, Morris and Abeschier(sp?)

GO AVS

[JAE]

Just heard on the news that Danny Heatly and another Thrasher player were in a serious one car accident. Heatly has suffered a broken jaw and is in stable condition, yet the other player has a fractured skull and is in serious condition. No word yet on what caused the crash. Thrasher fans must be freaked out today.....I feel for them.

[slinger]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=55659&hubName=nhl For details. Heard about this at 7 today. Like everyone, shocked. And hope the player can get in stable condition.

[slinger]

10/5/2003

ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta Thrashers forward Dan Snyder died Sunday night, six days after he was involved in a horrific car crash with teammate Dany Heatley.

Snyder of Elmira, Ont., died in hospital from massive brain injuries without ever regaining consciousness, the team said.

Police said Heatley was driving his Ferrari at about 80 mph on a narrow two-lane road last Monday night when he lost control, spun off the road and smashed into a brick and wrought iron fence.

The car split in half. The players were thrown into the road.

Heatley already was facing several charges, including a felony - and prosecutors are likely to upgrade the seriousness of the charges with Snyder's death.

[jbailey84]

Well I am going to be in Germany, so I'll have to wake up early in the motning to watch hockey, but I'm rooting for the Devils!

[JAE]

Heatly is done. He will most likely go to jail and have to pay out millions of dollars to the victims family. How could you even at a mental level play hockey again. It sucks. He could have been the next great one.....

[JAE]

Happy Hockey Day!! Tonight kicks off the season....can't wait to see my Islanders in action tomorrow at versus the Caps.

Is your team on tonight?

[IamMrDJ]

I gotta wait till Friday night to see my Avalanche in action. I can't wait. I doubt that Heatley will play this year because of his injuries sustained in the crash. I also wouldn't be surprised to see EA pull NHL 2004 off the shelves and then re-release it with a new cover.

[JAE]

Originally posted by IamMrDJ
I gotta wait till Friday night to see my Avalanche in action. I can't wait. I doubt that Heatley will play this year because of his injuries sustained in the crash. I also wouldn't be surprised to see EA pull NHL 2004 off the shelves and then re-release it with a new cover.

Oh, forgot about that....should get a copy soon just to have it.

[Colorado Cajun]

I'm throwing an Avs party Friday night, and am so stoked for the season to get underway. It's going to be a great year for the Avs I feel

[equipe]

Well, before the season gets underway I'd like to wish good luck to all the teams and their fans. Let us all enjoy the real beautiful game.

*prays for Leafs to succeed*

Let the fun begin!

[Colorado Cajun]

http://www.avalancheboard.com/avalanche/logo.gif

[JAE]

Uhhnn....watching hockey right now.....feels soooo good. Devils and Boston tied 2-2.

Need more hockey.....:)

[JAE]

Originally posted by equipe
Well, before the season gets underway I'd like to wish good luck to all the teams and their fans. Let us all enjoy the real beautiful game.

*prays for Leafs to succeed*

Let the fun begin!
*raises beer glass*

"Cheers to that! Good luck to all!!!"

(Darcy Tucker better watch his ass.....:) )

[slinger]

Jumping on the hockey avatars bandwagon. But I'll use older logos.

http://www.rivercitysports.com/team_logos/heritage_logos/winnipegj.gif

[JAE]

Originally posted by slinger
Jumping on the hockey avatars bandwagon. But I'll use older logos.

http://www.rivercitysports.com/team_logos/heritage_logos/winnipegj.gif

Diggin' the old school Jets logo, haven't seen that in years!!!! :)

[Colorado Cajun]

Originally posted by slinger
Jumping on the hockey avatars bandwagon. But I'll use older logos.

http://www.rivercitysports.com/team_logos/heritage_logos/winnipegj.gif

very nice!!:applaud:

[JAE]

Devils Bruins tie 3-3....thats why I love this sport....hopefully ESPN will give us eastcoasters a west coast game to watch late night....

(PS....does anyone know where I can get a better hockey avatar? It looks like a 3rd grader on smack drew mine)

[equipe]

Honestly, mine's no better. I'll keep my eye out.

[slinger]

Originally posted by Colorado Cajun
very nice!!:applaud:

Also notice the lame pun that's the my custom title.


http://www.rivercitysports.com/team_logos/nhl_logos/newyorki.gif River City Sports logos (http://www.rivercitysports.com/cda/nhl.cfm?league=nhl)

[IamMrDJ]

Originally posted by Colorado Cajun
I'm throwing an Avs party Friday night, and am so stoked for the season to get underway. It's going to be a great year for the Avs I feel
Hey Cajun can I come? Fellow Colroado and Die-Hard Avalanche Fan.

[JAE]

Originally posted by slinger
Also notice the lame pun that's the my custom title.


http://www.rivercitysports.com/team_logos/nhl_logos/newyorki.gif River City Sports logos (http://www.rivercitysports.com/cda/nhl.cfm?league=nhl)

Cool thanx....gotta run, will swap it out soon. Isles play the Caps tonight, hopefully they can break the dismal losing streak in Washington. The Islanders haven't won in that building since the '97-'98 season...blech.

[JAE]

Yeah, my Islanders were craptastic last night in a 6-1 drubbing by the Capitals....at least they are consistent at the MCI center, never winning one freakin game. Hopefully the Rangers lose tonight.....that would make me feel warm and fuzzy....:)

Next game: Islanders vs Buffalo this saturday.

[slinger]

Well the Sens won't budge on Havlat, but they still had a great opener at home, 5-2 vs the Canadiens.

[IamMrDJ]

T-Minus 9 hours until the puck drops on the first game of the Colorado Avalanche season. This is only the beginning of our quest for another 16W ending next June.

[IamMrDJ]

This just isn't fair for the other NHL teams. At 5:40 of the first period Kariya gets his first Goal as an Avalanche. Aebischer was just awesome tongiht. 5-0. I can't wait for the next 81 games to see how many more times we just dominate a game.

[Colorado Cajun]

We will dominate tonight also I bet

It's going to be a damn good year

[JAE]

Islanders wake up, serving a great 6-0 loss to Peca's ex darlings the Sabres.

Oh and the Rangers got shut out by the Blue Jackets....soo happy....:)

[slinger]

This is Hockeytown, not Detroit. (http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/james_duthie.asp)

I'm sure where you live they do a rundown of the number of hockey players from your hometown/home province or state. This is impressive.

[JAE]

Slinger, cool link. I like the avatar, whos is it?

[slinger]

Originally posted by JAE
Slinger, cool link. I like the avatar, whos is it?

California Golden Seals. Who before were the Oakland Seals and then later would become the Cleveland Barons. I think the avatar really fits well.

Oakland 1967-70, Calif 1970-76, Cleveland 76-78

[JAE]

Originally posted by slinger
California Golden Seals. Who before were the Oakland Seals and then later would become the Cleveland Barons. I think the avatar really fits well.

Oakland 1967-70, Calif 1970-76, Cleveland 76-78

Thats awesome....was that NHL, IHL or AHL? Where did you find it?

[Rocketboy]

Originally posted by slinger
This is Hockeytown, not Detroit. (http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/james_duthie.asp)

I'm sure where you live they do a rundown of the number of hockey players from your hometown/home province or state. This is impressive. :applaud: That is funny!
Everyone knows that Detroit is the one and only Hockeytown.
Accept no substitute.

[slinger]

Originally posted by JAE
Thats awesome....was that NHL, IHL or AHL? Where did you find it?

NHL. The NHL doubled size in 67 you may remember. But everyone forgets that California got two teams. Found it in River City Sports' NHL Heritidge section. A few days ago I had the Colorado Rockies.

[IamMrDJ]

Slinger thanks for posting that link for River City Sport's. I finally found my Nordiques logo on the site.

[JAE]

Originally posted by slinger
NHL. The NHL doubled size in 67 you may remember. But everyone forgets that California got two teams. Found it in River City Sports' NHL Heritidge section. A few days ago I had the Colorado Rockies.

Nice...yeah I noticed the Rockies logo you had, classic!

Well, I'm leaving in a few hours for the Islander home opener, they are awesome, I go every year!!

[Watakshino]

Originally posted by JAE

Well, I'm leaving in a few hours for the Islander home opener, they are awesome, I go every year!!

Lucky guy. Let us know if you catch a puck. I'm going to a Wild-Red Wings game in November. :applaud:

[JAE]

Nah, can't catch a puck where I sat. But they won 2-1. Marius Czecrapski now has 3 goals in 4 games!! Not bad considering his horrible season last year with the Habs. He fits nicely on the first line with Kavasha, who had the other goal and Yashin. Also, looks like Rick Diepeatro (sp) has settled in well in goal.

Looking forward to beating Toronto on Monday....that would feel great!!

Oh, and the poor Rangers still haven't won a game.......:)

PS > Did I tell you guys that I worked for the NHL last year? I had a cool ass job. I was the commercial coordiantor. I sat next to the pently box and would coordinate the commercial breaks with the broadcast truck and the Refs on the ice. Best parttime job I ever had!! They paid me to sit down there and flip a light on and off!! Plus I could roam around the locker room area. Awesome stuff, had to give it up 'cause I'm moving this year...:(

Darcy Tucker better watch his ass on Monday.....:)

[equipe]

Darcy should watch his ass? Man that's old news, the islanders couldn't do it last year, and won't this year.

[JAE]

Originally posted by equipe
Darcy should watch his ass? Man that's old news, the islanders couldn't do it last year, and won't this year.

Watch Eric Goddard go after Tucker......kid hasn't lost a fight yet....anyway, yeah your right, you got the bragging rights 'cause we couldn't finish it off. But nothing is old news to Islander fans. It wasn't like some third line winger got taken out, that was our captain. It will NEVER be forgotten. :mad:

See ya on Monday.;)

[Shaister]

Originally posted by Rocketboy
:applaud: That is funny!
Everyone knows that Detroit is the one and only Hockeytown.
Accept no substitute.
Notice how they say Hockey town USA now. Montreal is the real Hockeytown because of the team history. Detroit goes 55 years or something without winning a cup then win 2 in a row and it's hockeytown? Come on they have 10 Stanley Cups 2 teams have more. And once again The habs Beat the wings for the second year in a row. I was glad to witness the spoiling of the banner raising night I Hate The Wings forever and tomorrow when I go to school in Detroit my Montreal car flag will be raised a little higher and my Montreal coat and shirt will be more open.

[slinger]

Originally posted by Shaister
Notice how they say Hockey town USA now. Montreal is the real Hockeytown because of the team history. Detroit goes 55 years or something without winning a cup then win 2 in a row and it's hockeytown? Come on they have 10 Stanley Cups 2 teams have more. And once again The habs Beat the wings for the second year in a row. I was glad to witness the spoiling of the banner raising night I Hate The Wings forever and tomorrow when I go to school in Detroit my Montreal car flag will be raised a little higher and my Montreal coat and shirt will be more open.

deadman walking;)

[JAE]

Originally posted by equipe
Darcy should watch his ass? Man that's old news, the islanders couldn't do it last year, and won't this year.


:grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

See ya on 12/27.

[JAE]

Dave Scatchard out for 4 to 6 weeks....thats not good.

Eric Lindros out for 4 weeks....thats good. ;)

[Kris Hodgson]

My Bruins are certainly off to a good start. They grabbed 9 points out of a possible 12 in their 6 game road trip. They spanked Colorado last night. I was a little worried after Potvin let in the first shot on net 2 minutes into the 1st period. But that was the only goal Colorado scored. Happy day!

[Kris Hodgson]

I see Cajun hasn't shown his face in here today! He he he.

[jasonafcbills]

I'm singing my fav song,back to back wins yippy go buffalo

[Colorado Cajun]

Cajun is here now and his Avs are kicking ass

[slinger]

Sens dominated the Habs. Great game, Lalime was outstanding.

[JAE]

Islanders see the Sens on Monday November 3rd, I'll be there working my voodoo magic. The Isles have a tough time against them.

[jasonafcbills]

WELL SABRES LOST LAST NIGHT,1-3 ON OME ICE,SNAPPING A 3 GAME WINNG STREAK. think i need a new song....

[JAE]

Isles are spanking the Ducks 4-1. Isles still lead the NHL in PK.

[Seraph333]

GO HABS GO!! LEAFS SUCK!

[JAE]

Going to the Islander Sens game tonight. Will be sitting right where the Isles walkout wearing an Ottowa Sucks shirt.....Sens fans, I'm looking for the first Islander win against them on home ice since Jan 6th, 1996.

[Kris Hodgson]

Have fun. I haven't been to an NHL game since the Jets moved to Phoenix. DAMN YOU PHOENIX!!!

[IamMrDJ]

The Avalanche made a major comeback yesterday scoring 2 in the 3rd to send it to OT and then win it in OT. All this with 3rd and 4th linemen getting goals and assists.

[JAE]

Isles spanked the Sens 6-3!! Finally a win at home against them!! What a game....the Yashin, Kavasha, Marius line is putting up awesome numbers, they each had a goal and an assist last night. We finally have a solid first line. Rookie Trent Hunter has 4 goals in 4 games leading all NHL newbies. Plus the Islanders PK is still the best in the NHL.
I know its early still, but things are looking good for the Islanders.:)
Jason Blake did leave the game with a knee sprain...:(

[Switzer]

The team thats gonna win the Stanley Cup is the Tampa Bay Lightning.So far,they only lost like 2 games and have a kickass goalie.

[JAE]

Every game but 1 went to OT last night...strange.

[Kris Hodgson]

My Bruins are still kicking ass I'm happy to say.

[Switzer]

They'll fall,Joey Thornton will go to jail for some beating up a cop incident

[Tardumb]

It's the year for the Blues. Of course, I've said that before...

[slinger]

Originally posted by Tardumb
It's the year for the Blues. Of course, I've said that before...

How many years straight have they made the playoffs without an appearence in the finals?

[slinger]

Going to Edmonton tomorrow to see the first outside NHL hockey game!! Plus the Mega Stars Game (the no.1 reason to go!) Messier (my favourite player) is going to be there and then all the retired greats of the Oil and Habs. With 60,000 screaming hockey fans in -4 C weather.

Anyone else going to the biggest hockey event ever?

[JAE]

Originally posted by slinger
Going to Edmonton tomorrow to see the first outside NHL hockey game!! Plus the Mega Stars Game (the no.1 reason to go!) Messier (my favourite player) is going to be there and then all the retired greats of the Oil and Habs. With 60,000 screaming hockey fans in -4 C weather.

Anyone else going to the biggest hockey event ever?

I'll be watching....a few of the boys are getting together for a good old fashion beer drinkin' hockey ho-down. What are you wearing I'll look for ya.....;)

[slinger]

Don't know if I should wear a Winnipeg Jets toque or Team Canada toque....

Gallery (http://www.edmontonoilers.com/gallery/mchcsetup11)

[Kris Hodgson]

WINNIPEG JETS!

Have fun Slinger. I was really wanting to go to that myself, but it didn't work out.

[JAE]

I agree with Kris wear the Jets...its retro. Just looked at the gallery, this is going to be awesome. What happens if it starts snowing hard? Will they still play?

[slinger]

The old timers will.

NHLers will chicken out and then play on Sunday at Rexall Place (liked SkyReach Centre name better) for the season ticketers. But forecast calls for sun. The only threat would be the wind.

I just got the tickets today.

[JAE]

That was a fun game to watch...how cold was it there? People wear bundled up.

[Kris Hodgson]

It looked pretty damn cold.

[JAE]

Yup.....hell I felt cold watching it at home.....Did you see the oldtimers shoveling the snow off the ice...that was awesome...Old School Hockey Flavor!!

[Kris Hodgson]

Yeah, it brought back great memories of pond hockey.

[slinger]

Originally posted by JAE
That was a fun game to watch...how cold was it there? People wear bundled up.

-29 C with the wind. My feet were the only things really cold. But I was comfortable enough to stay for the entire game. Well actually once Montreal scored the forth goal we left to be the rush and it paid off since we go on the first bus back to our parking lot. 'The Good Ol' Hockey Game' was playing while we left

So many memories.

The highlights clip before the first game.
Messier, Guy and Gretzky's entrances.
The streaker sliding down the McD's I'm lovin it sign.
The two goals.
Don Cherry walking around in his cowboy hat.
The forecast for tomorrow.
The gridlock, the sea of bodies that didn't move between games in the concourse area.
The girl collapsing beside me in the food court.
A Flames fan, being verbally assualted by Oilers fans.
The Habs fans sitting behing me.
Unable to see the Snow Birds since I was under the second tier.
Seats with a good view to see Ranford and Fuhr making great saves.
The two Big Mac minutes.
Paulina Gretzky singing. See looked 18 and she's only 14:eek: :D
And was good too.
Ceremonial face off that started with Gretzky chants and then turned into Guy chants.
The shoveling between periods.
People giving me the thumbs up for the Jets toque.
Talking to a guy in my row about how I got tickets.
Going to Skyreach Centre (now Rexall Place) taking pictures of the Gretzky statue. Meeting the guys from Toronto at WEM who were at the Gretzky statue.
The bus ride to the game.

[JAE]

Well, my Islanders are one of the crappiest teams in the East right now. I went to last nights game versus the Caps and they looked like ****! Ever since Weimer was traded away the heart, intensity and overall play has been horrible. No one is stepping up and taking control. Thursday they play the Rangers which is one of the best rivalries the NHL has. If they can't get it going and play hard against them, I think I'll start watching the walls in my room instead of this team.

[Kris Hodgson]

Originally posted by JAE
Well, my Islanders are one of the crappiest teams in the East right now. I went to last nights game versus the Caps and they looked like ****! Ever since Weimer was traded away the heart, intensity and overall play has been horrible. No one is stepping up and taking control. Thursday they play the Rangers which is one of the best rivalries the NHL has. If they can't get it going and play hard against them, I think I'll start watching the walls in my room instead of this team.

fairweather fan. :p

[JAE]

:mad: :evil: :mad: :evil: :mad:

So pissed about last nights loss to the Rangers.....Peca gets thrown out for a questionable knee to knee hit? What kind of crap is that? The only bright spot was Eric Carins beating the crap out of a Ranger so bad the guy never came back.

[Kris Hodgson]

Don't feel bad. My bruins got HAMMERED last night by Toronto.

[Sparhawk]

Originally posted by Kris Hodgson
Don't feel bad. My bruins got HAMMERED last night by Toronto.


HAHAHAHA - Weeeeeee! Seven in a row, Baby!

[Kris Hodgson]

They're getting close to their 92/93 record. 10 in a row.

[Sparhawk]

I still remember watching the 10th game because it was on the same night the Jays won the World Series.

I was at a party and everyone was watching the Jays upstairs on the big screen and I was downstaris watching the Leafs on a B&W tv.

I loves my Buds.

[Kris Hodgson]

You'd get along good with my dad and uncle. They worship the Leafs. They went to Toronto last year and Wendel Clark took them out for lunch. Highlight of their lives.

[slinger]

Sens bounching back, have won three straight let in only 2 goals and have scored 12.

[IamMrDJ]

I am so happy my Avs came back last night in the 3rd period. Even with all of our injuries we are still just 1 pt. behind Vancouver.

[Switzer]

Originally posted by slinger
Sens bounching back, have won three straight let in only 2 goals and have scored 12.
Damn.The Sens bet my Lightnings:mad:

[JAE]

Yeah....the Islanders beat the Blackhawks.....

[Sparhawk]

Woo Hoo!!! Eight in a row!!

[JAE]

I'm going to the Islander/Lightning game tonight.....come on Isles lets make it 2 in a row!!!

Its good to have Scatchard back.....

[IamMrDJ]

AVALANCHE ARE IN FIRST PLACE

[Switzer]

Originally posted by IamMrDJ
AVALANCHE ARE IN FIRST PLACE
Colorado doesn't have a good goalie.

And my lightning team will kick the Islander's ass:p

[IamMrDJ]

Abby has made a pretty damn good transition to starting goalie. I mean we have been missing Forsberg and Kariya for over three weeks now and are now in first place by ourselves. Yes Abby will never be Roy but he is doing a good job this year.

[JAE]

Isles score 5 goals in a row to beat Tampa...great game to be at. Goddard beat the crap out of some kid as usual. And Trent Hunter has been the best product to come out of the Islander farm system in a long time.....2nd in scoring for rookies this year. Lets just hope the Islanders don't trade him...

[slinger]

Originally posted by Switzer
Colorado doesn't have a good goalie.

And my lightning team will kick the Islander's ass:p

They have a better than good goalie. Doesn't he lead the league with wins?

[JAE]

The Islanders are back in good form after a 4-0 shutout of the first place Thrashers.....NICE. Next up the Devils.

[Switzer]

Originally posted by slinger
They have a better than good goalie. Doesn't he lead the league with wins?
But isn't this David Abeisher's first year as starting goalie?
Even if he does lead the league in wins its becuz they have a lot of scoring

[JAE]

Whoa...was I dreaming or did I see the Islanders score 5 goals on Broudeur last night and win against the Devils? Good game to come off of before an Islander/Ranger bloodbath. If any one has a Hockey Package with a dish, I urge you to watch this matchup Thursday, the tempo is amazing.

[JAE]

Not sure how I feel about this:

-- Hockey contest to give $50,000 for on-ice brawling --
(Figures in U.S. dollars)
By Roberta Rampton
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Forget about skating
ability, shooting finesse and and scoring talent.
A new hockey tournament proposes to skip the finer points
of the high-speed sport to get straight to what its Canadian
promoters say many fans secretly love best: the brawls.
The "Battle of the Hockey Gladiators," planned for a new
arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota, for early next September,
will pit denizens of the penalty box at center ice, in full
hockey gear, for two minutes of pure pummeling.

"Two minutes is an eternity in a hockey fight," said Darryl
Wolski, a promoter from Brandon, Manitoba, speaking from
experience.

"It's mentally and physically so draining after that first
minute, just because you have to concentrate on so many
things," Wolski said.

Participants will put up a $250 entry fee, with $50,000 in
prize money up for grabs.

In Canada, where Saturday night hockey games are the
highest-rated draws on television, the idea has attracted both
cheers and jeers, the tournament's promoter said.

"People say: Aww, it's the lowest common denominator, a
hockey fight," said Darryl Wolski of Brandon, which is just
across the Canada-U.S. border from Grand Forks.

"Maybe that's what they say publicly -- but there are so
many closet people watch on TV (when fights break out) and love
it," Wolski said.

A local wrestling promoter put Wolski in touch with
pay-per-view broadcasters. He said he hopes to make money by
having recordings of the event on store shelves by next
Christmas.

"It's sad, but that's the way society is, they just love
this kind of thing, and I guess that was kind of our way of
capturing this niche market," Wolski said.

[slinger]

Yeah one of the local papers is just so 'proud' that they were the ones who had the story first. It's a good idea, I don't think it's good hockey is in the title but hey it'll make money.

Anyone read about the Islanders Santa Claus Brawl? If I remember, anyone dressed fully as Santa would get in for free or whatever. Anyway double what they expected showed up and during the intermission all the Santa's were allowed to do a parade on the ice. Anyway some Santas toss off there jacket and reveal NY Rangers jerseys. Naturally, Islander fans didn't like that and 'nothing serious' happened apparently but they confronted them. That's hilarious and pure genuis from the Rangers fans.

JAE - thoughts?

[JAE]

Yeah that was damn funny. My dad was at the game and was actually on the ice dressed as a Santa. He said it was the most surreal sight he has ever seen. Hundreds of Santas slipping an sliding across the ice....and yeah some wore Ranger jerseys and were beat up.....rightfully so. Unfortunately they don't broadcast the intermission activities, I couldn't see it. Too bad. I heard that little kids were devastated because they saw Santa's beating the crap out of other Santas. I don't think anyone got hurt that bad.

Alexi Yashin is another story...out for up to 3 months!! If its not one leader its another with this team. But I'm not crying on my jersey yet. The Islanders have now beat the best teams in Hockey; Flyers, Devils twice, Toronto to end their winning streak and they finally broke the curse of the MCI center in Washington.

Sometimes when a team loses someone like Yashin, they come together and grow up as a unit, maybe its a good thing?

[slinger]

Watched the first two periods of the Blues/Thrashers game. Heatley looked great in the second. And in the first he was wide open but the goalie stopped the shot. Pretty much like he never was injured and was away for four months.

Anyone grab tickets to the All-Star Game?

[Islanders22]

o yea those islanders are doing great and i love that they are 8(count them, 8) points ahead of the rangers and are gaining on montreal and boston. its looking good o and by the way JAE, where do u live, im in Merrick do u have season tix, i have the 18 u pick-um plan and im goin to the vancouver game

[JAE]

Sweet another Islander fan!! Welcome. You went to a good game the other night!!

Nah, I don't have season tix. I just moved to Las Vegas a month ago. I miss going to the games. My dad has season tix and I worked for the NHL last year as an off ice official, so I got my fill of Hockey last year. I went to a dozen games before I moved. Until I get the Hockey Package, I'm forced to listen to the games on the Internet.

When they make the playoffs, I'll breakdown and buy the Hockey package they have out here.

Yeah, 8 points ahead of the Rangers, all that talent and payroll and they can't do crap....ha, ha!!

See ya around!!

Oh, I used to live in Coram, Levittown, Commack and Huntington. I know the south shore well. How's the weather?

[rObix]

jesus. fishstick fans. i knew leaving this place was a good idea.

no one actually "beat up" the ranger santa...he got pushed around, and some kid tried to punch him(good job raising kids, pile fans)...the most intimidating person on the ice was the dude with the clipboard.

the sad thing is that you had to have a "get in free" night to get people to come to your games.

[slinger]

Originally posted by rObix
jesus. fishstick fans. i knew leaving this place was a good idea.

no one actually "beat up" the ranger santa...he got pushed around, and some kid tried to punch him(good job raising kids, pile fans)...the most intimidating person on the ice was the dude with the clipboard.

the sad thing is that you had to have a "get in free" night to get people to come to your games.

With NHL Center Ice, I've watched lots of games on Fox Sports Net and noticed that a good majority have to have giveaways and promotions to show up to games.

Montreal, Detroit, Denver, St.Paul, Toronto, Vancouver always sellout, nearly sellout or go over with standing room only.

Fishstick fans, never heard that term before. I like it.

[rObix]

Originally posted by slinger
With NHL Center Ice, I've watched lots of games on Fox Sports Net and noticed that a good majority have to have giveaways and promotions to show up to games.

Montreal, Detroit, Denver, St.Paul, Toronto, Vancouver always sellout, nearly sellout or go over with standing room only.

Fishstick fans, never heard that term before. I like it.
there is a difference between a fan appreceation promotion, and "jeeze, we really need to fill some seats up" promotion. giveaway's are fine. massive santa gatherings is just kinda lame.
rangers sold out nearly every night until this year, which looks like a 7th year with no playoffs. hopefully sather will be gone soon.

fishsticks...well, this is their short lived jersey:
http://www.imageshack.us/files/clark_muller9596.jpg
the crest looks like the guy from the gortons fishsticks box. hence the name, which will stick for ever.

[slinger]

Originally posted by rObix
there is a difference between a fan appreceation promotion, and "jeeze, we really need to fill some seats up" promotion. giveaway's are fine. massive santa gatherings is just kinda lame.
rangers sold out nearly every night until this year, which looks like a 7th year with no playoffs. hopefully sather will be gone soon.

fishsticks...well, this is their short lived jersey:
http://www.imageshack.us/files/clark_muller9596.jpg
the crest looks like the guy from the gortons fishsticks box. hence the name, which will stick for ever.

Most the stuff I've seen is dirt cheap tickets packages. I just enjoyed the fact that someone was wearing a Rangers jersey on the Islanders home ice. If a Philly fan did that in Toronto he would be going back home in a body bag.

I do remember those jerseys, probably the only logo that was so poorly recieved that the team went back with the original. You'll never see a Vintage Edition of one of those jerseys.

I gotta go with the East All-Stars for tomorrow. CBC played the Mega Stars Game again, so now I could finally watch the game on TV and show where I was sitting in the stands. And tell them when the streaker was streaking. (after the McSorley goal)Hopefully one day I can go to a Edmonton Eskimos game and find my seat again.

[Islanders22]

ha ha ha. say wat u want but attendance means crap. The points are wat matter and i dont have to say again the point diifferential between the rangers and any team in the playoffs. your lookin at 8 just to get in and 15 to move to 7th and so on. If the average attendance was 5 people and the islanders were in the same position as they are in now i wouldnt care. Oh and the santas, its called having fun. It was a good time and it showed that the islanders organization is not a big money hungry freak like those damn rangers who spend spend spend and get more and more money but dont get a quality team in return. Oh and JAE, the weather here is crap. Its been all snow and one day it rained and it hasnt gone above freezing since so we are looking at 4 inches of ICE in some places.

[slinger]

Originally posted by Islanders22
ha ha ha. say wat u want but attendance means crap. The points are wat matter and i dont have to say again the point diifferential between the rangers and any team in the playoffs. your lookin at 8 just to get in and 15 to move to 7th and so on. If the average attendance was 5 people and the islanders were in the same position as they are in now i wouldnt care. Oh and the santas, its called having fun. It was a good time and it showed that the islanders organization is not a big money hungry freak like those damn rangers who spend spend spend and get more and more money but dont get a quality team in return. Oh and JAE, the weather here is crap. Its been all snow and one day it rained and it hasnt gone above freezing since so we are looking at 4 inches of ICE in some places.

Attendance means if you're team has enough money to pay the over priced players. So they don't go bankrupt.

[rObix]

Originally posted by slinger
Most the stuff I've seen is dirt cheap tickets packages. I just enjoyed the fact that someone was wearing a Rangers jersey on the Islanders home ice. If a Philly fan did that in Toronto he would be going back home in a body bag.

I do remember those jerseys, probably the only logo that was so poorly recieved that the team went back with the original. You'll never see a Vintage Edition of one of those jerseys.

I gotta go with the East All-Stars for tomorrow. CBC played the Mega Stars Game again, so now I could finally watch the game on TV and show where I was sitting in the stands. And tell them when the streaker was streaking. (after the McSorley goal)Hopefully one day I can go to a Edmonton Eskimos game and find my seat again.

if an isles fan did it in the garden he would have ended up with an actual beating, but luckily dolan is smart enough to not stoop THAT low. (shame on you charles wang.)

pretty decent all star game today. old man messier netted a goal and an asst.
:eek: not very often you see 2 rangers assist an fishstick. very odd indeed. ****in sakic...if he didnt get the hat trick, mess would have been mvp, but now he walks away with the most assists by anyone in an allstar game, and now new car.

Originally posted by Islanders22
ha ha ha. say wat u want but attendance means crap. The points are wat matter and i dont have to say again the point diifferential between the rangers and any team in the playoffs. your lookin at 8 just to get in and 15 to move to 7th and so on. If the average attendance was 5 people and the islanders were in the same position as they are in now i wouldnt care. Oh and the santas, its called having fun. It was a good time and it showed that the islanders organization is not a big money hungry freak like those damn rangers who spend spend spend and get more and more money but dont get a quality team in return. Oh and JAE, the weather here is crap. Its been all snow and one day it rained and it hasnt gone above freezing since so we are looking at 4 inches of ICE in some places.

still plenty of games left in the season. enough time for you guys to go on one of your famous 7 game slides. rangers get two of our decimated defense corps back on wednesday, and will probably be bringing up top prospect fedor tjutin.
sather is supposedly making a move for a goalie(probably tommy salo, since burke is now almost defintly a flyer). with that, and our defense back in order we will actually be a tough team. hopefully they trade off dunham in the deal, as well.

attendance is actually the point of hockey, from the owner point of view. wang wants money. stirling and the players want the cup.

btw, we've won the last few lafontaine cups, so :P to you.

[IamMrDJ]

My boy Joe Sakic walks away with the Hat Trick after a pretty good all-star game. I think I would have rather been at the NHL All-Star game today instead of the Pro Bowl. I thought it was cool that Mark got the assist record today. The fans seemed to be very receptive to him today during introductions.

[slinger]

I think Alfredson might've been worthy for the MVP. 2 goals and a assist. But it would be great to see Mess get a All-Star MVP Award, since many questioned if he should be there. He looked great out there.

LAST year's All-Star Game was way better. It went to OT and then to shootouts! Heatley became a star in that game. They did interviews with Bob Goodenow and Gary Bettman between the 1st and 2nd intermissions on CBC. Doesn't look good. Bettman really got defensive as he sometimes does. He didn't look good. But it appears that the owners have a $300 million warchest and the NHLPA only has $100 million.

[Islanders22]

robix, your a typical ranger fan. congrats on winning the lafonaine cups i guess that means the rangers had a great season the last few years right. well it must mean that cause they beat the islanders. well your wrong. if u say the islanders suck so much then how come you are so proud that the rangers can beat them. and the playoffs are wat matter. im sure the islanders wouldnt mind losin to the rangers forever if it ment them making the playoffs every year. i dont see the rangers making the playoffs so just because they beat the islanders it doesnt mean that they had a good season. oh yeah, and if u ask me the rangers made the big losing streaks famous cause they have had 2 already and the islanders have only had one. and the islanders second longest losing streak is 3 games and the rangers is 5. The attendance is not everything because they dont even get all of that money. some goes to the town/state and then theres taxes. my uncles works at the colliseum and they only get 5-10 bucks per person. they get more money for the team winning

[rObix]

Originally posted by Islanders22
robix, your a typical ranger fan. congrats on winning the lafonaine cups i guess that means the rangers had a great season the last few years right. well it must mean that cause they beat the islanders. well your wrong. if u say the islanders suck so much then how come you are so proud that the rangers can beat them. and the playoffs are wat matter. im sure the islanders wouldnt mind losin to the rangers forever if it ment them making the playoffs every year. i dont see the rangers making the playoffs so just because they beat the islanders it doesnt mean that they had a good season. oh yeah, and if u ask me the rangers made the big losing streaks famous cause they have had 2 already and the islanders have only had one. and the islanders second longest losing streak is 3 games and the rangers is 5. The attendance is not everything because they dont even get all of that money. some goes to the town/state and then theres taxes. my uncles works at the colliseum and they only get 5-10 bucks per person. they get more money for the team winning
the playoff's only matter if you win the cup. and you guys went from 95-01 without the playoff's, and havent made it past the first round since making it back in. and you got swept out in the first round in 94(back to back shutout's, no less.)
you have no more post season bragging rights than i do.

tickets are only part of what the isles make from the arena. for some people people buy jersies, and hats, and pucks, etc...they probably get a piece of the concession, as well.
im sure they make more money off of FSN for tv rights, which ironically is owned by the same company as the rangers.

[Islanders22]

ok, but a team still makes money for making the playoffs. They got a big increase after they made the playoffs in 2000-2001. and if u actually think that the islanders had a failing season when they went from last place in 1999-2000 and then make the playoffs in 2000-2001 then you are insane. No team can possibly go from last to first in one season. and until the rangers make the playoffs again i do have more post season bragging rights then u do because u dont even have the post season let alone the right to brag. Just explain to me why the rangers with the salary they have are not in the playoffs let alone the fact that they are 8 points out of the playoffs. And at least the islanders have a future. if the there is no hockey for the next 2 years then the rangers will be damaged the most. Messier will be gon and maybe leetch. Lindros and maybe Jagr. i dont know if bure is hurt or gone forever but he will be done. The rangers have nothing compared to the islanders 6 great young players not to mention they have the number 1 AHL team for 2 straight years. Just think about the future and it doesnt look too bright for the rangers.

[slinger]

Originally posted by Islanders22
The rangers have nothing compared to the islanders 6 great young players not to mention they have the number 1 AHL team for 2 straight years. Just think about the future and it doesnt look too bright for the rangers.

They'll just sign more players. Maybe even some of the great Islanders players.

[equipe]

Originally posted by slinger
They'll just sign more players. Maybe even some of the great Islanders players.

But still, Slather couldn't coach his way out of a tin can, hence they will not make the playoffs.

[slinger]

Slats says he's gone if he fails this season. They should bring in Ted Nolan to coach and hire a good GM. Rebuild through draft picks and the AHL not free agency.

[Islanders22]

thats wat the rangers SHOULD do, but they wont. sather will somehow stay and they will continue to get old guys

[slinger]

Oilers 5 Thrashers 1

Laraque's goal came during a promotion known as the ``Big Mac minute,'' meaning everyone in attendance is entitled to a free Big Mac. The game was a sell-out with 16,839 hungry patrons in the crowd.

They did this twice at the Heritage Classic and the fans booed when the time ran out.

[Islanders22]

that thrashers game was insane. they had to play with no goalie at the end and all the brawls. o maaaaaan

[equipe]

well I just saw the financial report the league had commissioned, boy this is gonna be a hella long lock-out. only 11 teams made a profit last season and player salaries comprise 76% of all expenditures. even the NFL and NBA and MLBA are waaaaaay below that and their sports aren't in quite as bad shape in terms of falling attendence etc. The average player salary is now $1.76 million, a 212% increase since 1992-1993.

The only thing the players are doing by demanding such salaries is hurting the fans. the price of a ticket in a lot of places is just too high. Here in Toronto the problem is twofold, one the price of tickets is well over $100 for a seat, and it is impossible to get them anyways. The Leafs have sold out every game since 1946. Move another team here (or maybe to Hamiltion) Pittsburgh I'm looking at you ;) . Anyways the players keep saying that they are just getting their fare share and just want fair market value for their services. Brian McCabe said that he and his fellow players are just trying to earn a decent living. Hey Brian, why don't you tell that to all the fans faces. The ones that can't afford to go to games, all the salary fans who have to eek out an existance paycheck to paycheck. WE PAY YOUR SALARY, show us some respect. In my world if you make $100,000 you are doing ****ing well. The greed that has collected in the players is quite shocking, it makes me wonder if it really is about the game or if it is simply pure greed.

Now the owners aren't innocent. They are the ones who have been paying these salaries. And before the good old days they were taking in way more profit then they deserved, and the players never let us forget that. The the leauge has changed. Even the previous cup champion can't sell more then 10,000 tickets on most nights, and two teams have already declared bankruptcy and 19 teams lost a combined total of more then $200 million, with only 11 teams showing any profit.

The leauge can't go on like this. Something good or bad is bound to happen, i'm more willing to bet on bad. the problem is what can be done to stop this sprial of doom. The only real solutions are too radical for both sides to do. Like contracting 6 teams. or a salary cap system like thing.

This is not going to be a happy ending. Sorry for the rant. I'm just very frustrated by this whole thing becuase the only people this is gonna hurt are the fans and people who work in the system from vendors to ticket agents to janitorial staff. The fans need to let all sides know this. We should be the ones in control.

[/rant]

[Islanders22]

Bravo. Well said *gives standing ovation* u are 100% correct. since u covered everything i wont repeat it but u are right and we should start a petition or something just to let the players know how the fans are suffering.

[Strangelove]

Originally posted by Islanders22
that thrashers game was insane. they had to play with no goalie at the end and all the brawls. o maaaaaan

I was at the game. Awesome. The crowd was nuts. Best game I have ever seen.

[rObix]

Originally posted by Islanders22
They got a big increase after they made the playoffs in 2000-2001. and if u actually think that the islanders had a failing season when they went from last place in 1999-2000 and then make the playoffs in 2000-2001 then you are insane. No team can possibly go from last to first in one season.
how long have you been an isles fan? sure you should be pointing out that the rangers went from the best team, to the worst team, to stanley cup champs in the span of 3 season(92-94)
potivin sucks :p


and until the rangers make the playoffs again i do have more post season bragging rights then u do because u dont even have the post season let alone the right to brag. personally, i wouldnt be bragging about not making it past the first roung, but thats me.


Just explain to me why the rangers with the salary they have are not in the playoffs let alone the fact that they are 8 points out of the playoffs.
we have a richer than **** owner who openly says he knows nothing about hockey. he wants marquee names, and doesnt really have a concept of how important the cup is to fans.

And at least the islanders have a future. if the there is no hockey for the next 2 years then the rangers will be damaged the most. Messier will be gon and maybe leetch. Lindros and maybe Jagr. i dont know if bure is hurt or gone forever but he will be done. The rangers have nothing compared to the islanders 6 great young players not to mention they have the number 1 AHL team for 2 straight years. Just think about the future and it doesnt look too bright for the rangers.
leetch is only 35, he has more than two season left in him. we all hope messier will be gone. lindros shouldn't come back, but will. bure may actually be back next season. jagr has 4 years left on his deal. AHL standing mean nothing. the wolfpack are on top of their division, too.
the future actually looks brighter for the rangers than the present. we'll actually have youth next year, and we have a few prospects to work with(tyutin, wiseman, dawes, jessiman, blackburn.)


Originally posted by slinger
Slats says he's gone if he fails this season. where did you hear that?

[slinger]

Originally posted by rObix

where did you hear that?

Winnipeg Free Press' Scott Taylor. He's our NHL guy. Does stuff for The Score in Canada too. He did an article recently on how Slats did great in the 1980s, did okay in the 1990s, and is doing a terrible job in the 2000s. He's actually a great guy. Since the Jets left he wasn't confined to following one team so he's covered the NHL since they've left. Way ahead of the Toronto media on picking stuff up.

[Islanders22]

rObix rObix rObix. u say that leetch has two full seasons left. well a lock out will be more then 2 seasons (2 at the least) so then u prove me right. AHL standings DO mean a lot because it is the NHLs future and the isles soundtigers are on top of the LEAGUE not only the division and the wolfpack have been switching between 2nd and 3rd in there division, not first. As for thew rangers rookies/young guns, they have not proved that they can compete in the NHL yet(except for Blackburn) They could have a future but a very distant one. And i have had isles season tix for 27 years now (almost since the beggining) I started when i was a teen and go to every game pretty much. And the rangers owner might not know anything about hockey but he doesnt trade players, sather does and he does know about hockey, he just sux at his job. And wat will make u understand that first round is way better then nothing at all. They are taking small steps while the rangers are just skating on level ground(even going downhill sometimes) Think before u post. The bottomline is THE ISLANDERS ARE OVERALL, BETTER THEN THE RANGERS

[slinger]

Buffalo 6 Toronto 4

Buffalo's Mika Noronen became the seventh goalie in NHL history to be credited with a goal. Buds blew it in that game.

[rObix]

Originally posted by slinger
Winnipeg Free Press' Scott Taylor. He's our NHL guy. Does stuff for The Score in Canada too. He did an article recently on how Slats did great in the 1980s, did okay in the 1990s, and is doing a terrible job in the 2000s. He's actually a great guy. Since the Jets left he wasn't confined to following one team so he's covered the NHL since they've left. Way ahead of the Toronto media on picking stuff up. i hope he's right. today's loss, and the beating we'll take monday against the sens will help his journey out the door, no doubt.


Originally posted by Islanders22
rObix rObix rObix. u say that leetch has two full seasons left. well a lock out will be more then 2 seasons (2 at the least) so then u prove me right.
do the words "empty threat" mean anything to you? if the players are stupid enough to sit for two years, lots of cities will loose their teams. which may not be such a bad thing, because they over expended in the first place.
also, read my post again. i said he has MORE than 2 season left in him. he probably has 3 semi-productive season left in him, if he cuts his ice time down, accordingly.

AHL standings DO mean a lot because it is the NHLs future and the isles soundtigers are on top of the LEAGUE not only the division and the wolfpack have been switching between 2nd and 3rd in there division, not first.
uhm...no?

Grad Rapids: 72 points
Bridgeport: 67 points
Hartford: 67 points
Hamilton: 67 points

seriously...researching things before you mention them is a very good idea. also the wolfpack have played the last 3 months missing almost half of the team from injuries and call ups. even right now we have tyutin, macdonald, nycholat, and scott called up. moore will probably be back up soon. the isles haven't had half of the injury problems that the rangers do, and hartford has been near the top most of the season.
and the ahl means nothing. if a player is good enough for the nhl, he has a short stint(maybe a season) in the ahl to get ready and then never comes back. in the 90's the binghampton rangers were a really good ahl team, full of old journeymen that meant nothing to the big club.

As for thew rangers rookies/young guns, they have not proved that they can compete in the NHL yet(except for Blackburn) They could have a future but a very distant one.

tyutin played a damn good game today. him and ortmeyer were the only ones worth a damn on the ice. i dont see him being a bust, inless he gets injured.

And i have had isles season tix for 27 years now (almost since the beggining) I started when i was a teen and go to every game pretty much.
wow, thats a lot of wasted money...

And the rangers owner might not know anything about hockey but he doesnt trade players, sather does and he does know about hockey, he just sux at his job. And wat will make u understand that first round is way better then nothing at all. They are taking small steps while the rangers are just skating on level ground(even going downhill sometimes) Think before u post. The bottomline is THE ISLANDERS ARE OVERALL, BETTER THEN THE RANGERS
the point just went over your head, i think. yes, sather is the bone head. but dolan is the bigger bonehead who knows nothing about hockey, so he cant see that sather is a cancer to the rangers. and there is a problem there. he put his blind faith into a guy that the game has passed by. so, it matters that the owner knows something about hockey. he just looks at the paper and sees that we still have 99% of tickets sold to most games, but doesnt notice we run about 70% capacity because of corporate seating. thats something wang has less of a problem with. he can see the numbers, and goes on tirades and threatens to fire people when the isles stink up the rink.

hey, i never said that the first round wasn't better than no playoffs. i said never making it past the first round is nothing to brag about. it just gets your hopes for the cup up, and then the team lets you down.
i also never said the ises weren't better than the rangers. they are. but, we've still beaten you 4 times this season.
being a fan for 27 years and all, you must have noticed by now that when the isles suck, the rangers are usually good, and when the rangers suck the isles are good.

btw, research anything that needs it in your reply please. otherwise there is no reason to bother with you anymore.

[Islanders22]

actually the soundtigers have had injuries, a few of them, including the league leading goal scorer Hamilton were hurt. that is when they sunk. hamilton just got back and there are 2 more i think still injured.. and i thought that u would be able to figure out by my last post that my hopes arent too high for a cup. when i said that the isles dont have the team to go from first to last in so few seasons and that they are taking small steps. when the rangers did it they had the team, the isles now dont. im sorry for the missed info with the ahl standings but thats all i got wrong, i gotta stop listening to those damn isles announcers. well anyway,

What the hell are we debating over any more if u admit the isles are better then the rangers and i admit that the isles aint winning a cup anytime soon???:confused: :)

[rObix]

Originally posted by Islanders22
actually the soundtigers have had injuries, a few of them, including the league leading goal scorer Hamilton were hurt. that is when they sunk. hamilton just got back and there are 2 more i think still injured.. and i thought that u would be able to figure out by my last post that my hopes arent too high for a cup. when i said that the isles dont have the team to go from first to last in so few seasons and that they are taking small steps. when the rangers did it they had the team, the isles now dont. im sorry for the missed info with the ahl standings but thats all i got wrong, i gotta stop listening to those damn isles announcers. well anyway,

What the hell are we debating over any more if u admit the isles are better then the rangers and i admit that the isles aint winning a cup anytime soon???:confused: :)
well, the rangers were about half ex-cup winning oilers in '94, and everyone else except kovalev and leetch were veterans. but that team was just special, and kirk maclean wasn't all that special of a goalie(which is obviously why the rangers signed him a few seasons later.)
there was also a problem in the past about the russian stars not really knowing what the cup meant to fans, because they didnt grow up hearing about the cup. but, thats all different now.

who knows...it's just natural order for rangers and isle fans to go for the jugular, i suppose.

[JAE]

Hey, rObix, take a look at the stadnings my man....the Rangers have dug themselves into quite a hole as they have for 7 seasons now. A team with that much talent and payroll should be making the post season. Even if they don't make the cup, each home playoff game generates a couple million dollars. I'm sure they could use the cash to pay some of their underachieving high priced talent.

What about the future of the Rangers? Who has come out of their farm system that has turned any heads? They trade the good young talent for older guys who get banged up.

Hey what kind of numbers did Bure put up this year? And you still pay his salary.

The Rangers are the laughing stock of the NHL from a business and performance standpoint and everyone knows it.

Keep your Lafontaine cup, its the only the thing you got. You must be proud.....:)

[Islanders22]

well said JAE

[slinger]

Rangers are done. Only Buffalo has a chance of catching Montreal or the Islanders. The Western Conf. is the real playoff race.

[rObix]

Originally posted by JAE
Hey, rObix, take a look at the stadnings my man....the Rangers have dug themselves into quite a hole as they have for 7 seasons now. A team with that much talent and payroll should be making the post season. Even if they don't make the cup, each home playoff game generates a couple million dollars. I'm sure they could use the cash to pay some of their underachieving high priced talent. when did i ever say the rangers were a contender? in fact if you read my last post you'd see me and islanders22 came to an agreement that neither team is a cup contender.
dolan has more than enough money to pay for all of his superstars, dont worry. the rangers are in no danger of folding because of a strike.

What about the future of the Rangers? Who has come out of their farm system that has turned any heads? They trade the good young talent for older guys who get banged up. well, i wish we still had mike york, but none of the others played well while they were in new york.
and, i guess you didnt watch the world juniors, but nigel dawes is rangers property, and says he cant wait to get to the big club. as well as fedor tyutin already on the club, and chad wiseman and eventually dan blackburn. hugh jessiman might be something in the future, but he'll take time to develop.

Hey what kind of numbers did Bure put up this year? And you still pay his salary. seriously...i swear researching things is great. there isa new thing called insurance. the rangers got back 8 million or so, from bure's 9 million dollar contract. we also got back money from mike richter's contract, and kasparaitis' contract. so, yes they count towards our salary, but we got most of it back, and shuffled it over to get jagr and probably bought kovalev a few new sticks.

The Rangers are the laughing stock of the NHL from a business and performance standpoint and everyone knows it. hey captain obvious, have you noticed who is leading the pack in making fun of the rangers? oh, is it rangers fans? is it? huh?
yes, it is...

Keep your Lafontaine cup, its the only the thing you got. You must be proud.....:) i hope the isles get to go somewhere warm in the first round of the playoffs. maybe they can get some golf in after they get eliminated...

Originally posted by slinger
Rangers are done. Only Buffalo has a chance of catching Montreal or the Islanders. The Western Conf. is the real playoff race. the rangers aren't done. we still have to secure a better draft pick ;)
also there are heavy rumors about kovalev or leetch getting traded to either buffalo or st louis for a playoff run. personally, i'd only like to see leetchy get traded to a surefire team so he can win another cup...but, him wearing another jersey doesn't sit well at all.
i'd also like to see the cup stay in america, so i wouldnt mind if colorado won, again. or detroit.

[thebtskink]

Go Bruins


/Breaks into tears because his Bruins team hardly has anyone he cares about anymore. I miss Neely and Bourque. :(

[JAE]

Hey rObix, no hard feelings. I just had to go on my rant about the Rangers. You may be right that neither team is ready for the Cup. BUT, with the depth of young talented players that are on the Islanders, they have a MUCH BETTER chance in the coming years than the Rangers do. Blackburn is an amazing goalie and we all know thats where the winning starts. I was actually felt bad that he got injured.

But overall, the Islanders have a more of a chance than they did last year. No longer do they hang it up when behind 2 or 3 goals. The past few games they have trailed and rallied back for a win or a point. That is something they didn't do last year. They also are playing extremely well against top level teams. The club also got a few monkies off their back this year by finally beating Pheonix at home, beating the Sens at Nassau and beating the Caps at home. The confidence level is much higher this year than the previous 2. As far as the Rangers, it saddens me to see them get rid of talented young guys.

[slinger]

Originally posted by thebtskink
Go Bruins


/Breaks into tears because his Bruins team hardly has anyone he cares about anymore. I miss Neely and Bourque. :(

If I was a Bruins fan I would jump on the Raycroft Bandwagon. And nothing is wrong with Joe Thorton.

[rObix]

Originally posted by JAE
Hey rObix, no hard feelings. I just had to go on my rant about the Rangers. You may be right that neither team is ready for the Cup. BUT, with the depth of young talented players that are on the Islanders, they have a MUCH BETTER chance in the coming years than the Rangers do. Blackburn is an amazing goalie and we all know thats where the winning starts. I was actually felt bad that he got injured.

But overall, the Islanders have a more of a chance than they did last year. No longer do they hang it up when behind 2 or 3 goals. The past few games they have trailed and rallied back for a win or a point. That is something they didn't do last year. They also are playing extremely well against top level teams. The club also got a few monkies off their back this year by finally beating Pheonix at home, beating the Sens at Nassau and beating the Caps at home. The confidence level is much higher this year than the previous 2. As far as the Rangers, it saddens me to see them get rid of talented young guys.
DiPietro needs to grow up, which he may well have done after the rash of being stupid and going to bridgeport for a few games. I'm not exactly sure I'd want to ride Snow if Rick starts slumping again. I can't believe you guys traded luongo :x as a rangers fan, thanks ;) i dont even want to think where the panthers would be if they had anyone besides val bure and ollie jokinen(thanks for trading him too :x) in the offensive arsenal.

who knows, maybe sometime in the future there will be a rangers/isles confrence final.

[slinger]

Woo Hoo! Sens just acquired Peter Bondra! Now I heard the rumour before and I didn't think they needed him but the Sens only gave up a AHL player and a 2005 draft pick. A steal! Leafs, Flyers and Canucks were asleep and the Sens got some veteran expierence.

[JAE]

Originally posted by rObix
who knows, maybe sometime in the future there will be a rangers/isles confrence final.

That would be sweet.

yeah, the Isles traded away some good talent as well, I was pretty pissed when they got rid of Luongo.

[rObix]

Originally posted by slinger
Woo Hoo! Sens just acquired Peter Bondra! Now I heard the rumour before and I didn't think they needed him but the Sens only gave up a AHL player and a 2005 draft pick. A steal! Leafs, Flyers and Canucks were asleep and the Sens got some veteran expierence. he's just a rental. he will most likely resign with the caps in the off season.

the rangers should be trading all their UFA's away as rentals for picks..

[slinger]

Hey robix what are the odds. Read the article, talks about Bondra's stay, Sather and the Rangers.

McKenzie: Having Melnyk doesn't hurt
TSN.ca Staff2/18/2004

No one knows for sure if the Ottawa Senators will win the Stanley Cup, but if they don't, it won't be from lack of effort or money. The focus should be on the Senators' players as they strive to get to the Stanley Cup Final, but with the acquisition of Petr Bondra, you can't avoid putting the spotlight - for now anyway - on Senators' owner Eugene Melnyk.

Because without Melnyk, this Bondra deal just doesn't happen. In fact, you can take it a step further...many steps further.

If Rod Bryden were still operating the Sens on a shoestring budget, there is every reason to believe the Senators would have walked away from centre Radek Bonk's arbitration award last summer. If Bryden were still in charge, Wade Redden would not have been re-signed to a new deal. Neither would Bryan Smolinski.

And there would have been no chance whatsoever to be in the midst of the Bondra sweepstakes, never mind winning it and GM John Muckler proclaiming the Senators intend to pick up Bondra's $4.5 million option next season.

From a purely hockey perspective, there is everything to like about Ottawa getting Bondra. Add a high-speed, highly skilled goal-scorer and power play specialist without giving up anything off the NHL roster. What's not to like?

This is what happens when a team gets an owner with deep pockets whose passion to win a Stanley Cup exceeds his desire to live within a strict budget. No one is saying Eugene Melnyk is blowing his brains out in Ottawa, because he's not, but the man clearly has a high level of emotional commitment that he is prepared to back up with cash. Maybe you wouldn't expect anything less from a guy who put himself through high school at St. Mike's by scalping tickets outside Maple Leaf Gardens.

So if the fans in Ottawa will pardon us for saying so, the rich just got richer. Wow, what a difference a year makes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any right-thinking person can see that the New York Rangers are toast.

They are 11 points out of a playoff spot through Thursday and as far out of the race as they have been at this time of the year since their sad sack days of the 1960’s.

Any right thinking person, that is, except maybe Head Coach/General Manager Glen Sather who, publicly anyway, refuses to concede the Rangers are going to miss the playoffs for a sixth straight year.

Sather is apparently going to use the next three games - all at home and all against the teams currently holding down the final three playoff spots (the Islanders Thursday, the Devils on Saturday and the Canadiens on Monday) - to determine whether the Rangers will be buyers or sellers before the Mar. 9 trade deadline.

Count on them being sellers, in what could best be described as a Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous auction.

Alexei Kovalev has been a gross underachiever in New York but could be an impact player on a contender. The same goes for lifelong Ranger Brian Leetch, an impending unrestricted free agent who could be a prized rental even with a bit of a wonky ankle.

Petr Nedved, Tom Poti, you name them. They all could be had, although the contracts for Jaromir Jagr and Bobby Holik probably make them untouchable for all the wrong reasons.

Whether Sather realizes it or not, the Rangers have to get younger, faster and stronger. They can't keep going with the all-star philosophy. It's not working.

And as for Sather's decree on Tuesday that he will coach for the balance of the season, take it for what it's worth. If the Rangers crash and burn in these next three games, don't be at all surprised if Sather turns the coaching reins over to Terry O'Reilly or Ted Green or Tom Renney and concentrate on the long overdue dismantling of the epic disaster Sather has overseen in his four years in the Big Apple.

For TSN.ca, I’m Bob McKenzie.

[rObix]

6-2?
Dunham stopping Bates with the skate of his blade?
Blake getting some color choked onto his albino face by the Messiah?
DiPietro being a whiney crybaby...again?
;) what a great game. kudos to Wienhandle, he was the only player worth a damn on the piles tonight.

the only thing left to wonder about is how many games Asham, and Cairns will be suspended for after both abusing the ref's.

Originally posted by slinger

Any right-thinking person can see that the New York Rangers are toast.

They are 11 points out of a playoff spot through Thursday and as far out of the race as they have been at this time of the year since their sad sack days of the 1960’s.

Any right thinking person, that is, except maybe Head Coach/General Manager Glen Sather who, publicly anyway, refuses to concede the Rangers are going to miss the playoffs for a sixth straight year.

Sather is apparently going to use the next three games - all at home and all against the teams currently holding down the final three playoff spots (the Islanders Thursday, the Devils on Saturday and the Canadiens on Monday) - to determine whether the Rangers will be buyers or sellers before the Mar. 9 trade deadline.

Count on them being sellers, in what could best be described as a Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous auction.

Alexei Kovalev has been a gross underachiever in New York but could be an impact player on a contender. The same goes for lifelong Ranger Brian Leetch, an impending unrestricted free agent who could be a prized rental even with a bit of a wonky ankle.

Petr Nedved, Tom Poti, you name them. They all could be had, although the contracts for Jaromir Jagr and Bobby Holik probably make them untouchable for all the wrong reasons.

Whether Sather realizes it or not, the Rangers have to get younger, faster and stronger. They can't keep going with the all-star philosophy. It's not working.

And as for Sather's decree on Tuesday that he will coach for the balance of the season, take it for what it's worth. If the Rangers crash and burn in these next three games, don't be at all surprised if Sather turns the coaching reins over to Terry O'Reilly or Ted Green or Tom Renney and concentrate on the long overdue dismantling of the epic disaster Sather has overseen in his four years in the Big Apple.

For TSN.ca, I’m Bob McKenzie.

agreed. the only good that will come from sather staying the rest of the season is possibly coaching us into a good draft slot, which he(and every scout current working for the rangers) must be fired immediately.)

im not so sure nedved is a rental anymore. he is a UFA after next year, and he may be Jagr's new centerman. especially after tonight, as jagr hooked up nedved with an assist for his goal, and vice versa for jagr's goal.

leetch is going nowhere, unless detroit wants to give up zeterberg or datsyuk for him. leetch does not want to be traded, and he wouldnt be a rental. he still has a year left on his contract(not sure if he is UFA or if there is a team option.)

Buffalo supposedly wants kovy, for Afinogenov and someone else. i'd rather take Afinogenov and a 3rd round pick than another player, personally.

as for bondra, i think he may actually have a team option for next season. so he may not be going anywhere, afterall.

[JAE]

Whew, glad thats over. rObix, you have every right to smile tonight. Thats five losses to the Blueshirts this year. The only good thing that can come out of this is the trend. The trend has been that after every loss to the Rangers, the Islanders wake up and go on a winning streak. So thank you. Still a few points ahead though. It will be interesting to see what Sather does.

Let me as you this. Lets say they win these games that they are using as decision makers. Do they still make moves? Statistically speaking neither team has secured a playoff spot. Do they Rangers grab more talent to make a run? Or do they shed some payroll and prep for next year? rObix, your thoughts?

[rObix]

Originally posted by JAE
Whew, glad thats over. rObix, you have every right to smile tonight. Thats five losses to the Blueshirts this year. The only good thing that can come out of this is the trend. The trend has been that after every loss to the Rangers, the Islanders wake up and go on a winning streak. So thank you. Still a few points ahead though. It will be interesting to see what Sather does. 118 pim's...i have a feeling next thursday will be even worse. perhaps the league will suspend cairns and purinton for a few games each to curb it, or something.
cairns should be gone for a few just for hitting the ref, and purinton should be gone for a few for punching cairns when he was done. i'll get to sather below.

Let me as you this. Lets say they win these games that they are using as decision makers. Do they still make moves? Statistically speaking neither team has secured a playoff spot. Do they Rangers grab more talent to make a run? Or do they shed some payroll and prep for next year? rObix, your thoughts? i don't think we are going to be buyers for this trade deadline, i think we will be sellers. the only very sad thing for ranger fans is that we have 6 games left in the month, and can concievable win them all :/ devils(who are playing like ****, and just lost to the caps), canadians who are also playing like ****, one more with you guys, then nashville and atlanta. nashville would probably be the hardest game to win there. this worries me most, because not only does it kill our draft spot, it might actually give dolan some more undue faith in sather. not to mention, if we do manage that 8th spot we face philly or toronto most likely, two teams that we were swept in the season series by. as for the isles, i think you will climb another spot, and quite possibly the debbies will either have the 8th spot, or buffalo(or the rangers) will have it.
unless stevens comes back and broduer finds his touch again, of course.

as for yashin and parrish. you guys seem to be playing better without them, no?

[Islanders22]

agreed. i am worried about parrish and yashin returning. the isles cant play much better then they are now. points in 14 out of 17 of there last games. i think it will be bad for them if they come back (regular season) at least right away. i could be wrong though. i cant believe tyhe rangers losing to the devils. i cant remember the last time the deveils score 7 goals.good isles game tonite. its looking good down the stretch bettween isles montreal and buffalo for the last 2 spots

[rObix]

well, the debbies scored 6 goals against the rangers in a shutout earlier in this season.

for some reason, dunham owns the isles and bends over for the devils. it's highly vexing.

sadly, this wasnt even the most embarassing loss of the day. phoenix is losing 7-1...maybe 8-1 by now.

[JAE]

And the "Day After" trend continues for both teams. The Isles usually win after an ebarrassing loss to the Blueshirts and the Rangers lost after a great win against the Islanders. With roughly 20 games left, it will be a great month of Hockey. Lots of teams to watch. It will also be interesting to see who makes some big trades for the playoff push. March 9th is the deadline if I'm not mistaken.

rObix, Isles/Rangers next Thursday?

[rObix]

i think the rangers will be half wolfpack or newbies from the trade next thursday, so the isles will have an upper hand, and probably a gimmie win.
shame the the rangers/isles thing was never a home and home series. that could have been great.

*cough* wolfpack shutout the sound tigers the other night ;) they may be going for the calder this season.

[slinger]

Trade deadline or days leading up to it should be great. Here in Canada all three sports networks have day long coverage on the NHL Trade deadline. Thing is the owners are making a case for high salaries and budgets but in order to win the Cup they've gotta sign players with high salaries and raise their team salaries.

[JAE]

Originally posted by rObix

*cough* wolfpack shutout the sound tigers the other night ;) they may be going for the calder this season.

Thats a good thing for the Blueshirts. I feel that ownership should put more faith into the youngsters. Look at the Islanders. Their top scorer is a newbie, so is Wienhandle, Mapletofft and Depietro. They are a team built on youth. I can't wait to see Hamilton develop. If the Rangers want a contending team, they have to stop the All Star approach and get some young talented guys on the ice. If they don't have a shot at the post season, bring up those kids and let them get some experience.

rObix, who is your favorite youngster on the Rangers or Wolfpack and who should the hockey world keep an eye on?

[rObix]

Originally posted by JAE
Thats a good thing for the Blueshirts. I feel that ownership should put more faith into the youngsters. Look at the Islanders. Their top scorer is a newbie, so is Wienhandle, Mapletofft and Depietro. They are a team built on youth. I can't wait to see Hamilton develop. If the Rangers want a contending team, they have to stop the All Star approach and get some young talented guys on the ice. If they don't have a shot at the post season, bring up those kids and let them get some experience.
i'd agree. our "kid" line is ridiculous. the youngest person on the regular roster is 23(jamie lundmark.) they average 8-10 mins on the ice per game, whereas messier averages 16-20 mins on the ice. it's a disgrace.
personally, i think dipietro is gonna fizzle out, or be traded unless he gets his attitude worked out. he can't keep pulling the pranks, and taking horrible penalties and expect to stay at the nhl level.

rObix, who is your favorite youngster on the Rangers or Wolfpack and who should the hockey world keep an eye on? well, i think nigel dawes is the one to really look forward to. he was the star of the canadian WJ team, and unlike parise for the US, he did well against hard teams as well as the **** teams.
and fedor tyutin, who just made the big club. he's been here for like 4 games, and is already about second best d-man. thats so ****ing sad.

other than those two...we don't really have any stars coming up. just a bunch of projects, like jessiman. but, i think dominic moore, chad wiseman, bryce lampman, and ivan baranka will make the big club. hopefully dawes and jessiman will end up in hartford. and, if the league was really smart(in a financial way) they'd fix the lottery to get ovechkin and crosby on the rangers. they wont generate half the money in pittsburgh as they'd generate in new york. actually, i dont even want ovechkin. i just want crosby. other than that, i'd like to see at least half the team moved for picks and prospects. i hope they keep simon and barnaby, but they are both UFA's at the end of the season anyway, and will probably resign with the rangers(unless ottawa wants barny, he'll probably go there.)

all thats standing between a rebuild or sather deciding to cling on for more is tonights game against the suddenly horrible habs :/
go habs.

[rObix]

GG slats. that was a much needed, well timed loss, that will HOPEFULLY demand the dismantling of the team...

though from the press confrences after the game, the hope is very slim :/

[slinger]

Originally posted by rObix
well, i think nigel dawes is the one to really look forward to. he was the star of the canadian WJ team, and unlike parise for the US, he did well against hard teams as well as the **** teams.
and fedor tyutin, who just made the big club. he's been here for like 4 games, and is already about second best d-man. thats so ****ing sad.


Nigel is actually where I'm from and I know two different friends who played hockey with him when he was younger. He'll be back one more time at the WJ, seeing how the lockout will happen and there is no chance he'll play for the Rangers. When I found out the Rangers have the rights for him, felt bad for hm. The Rangers?! Well, it could be worse. Could be playing with the Penguins.

Also the Coyotes fired like their 5th coach in 7 years today. Bobby Francis is just another coach who won the Jack Adams Trophy and then is fired by the same team. coyotes didn't seem to warrant a coaching change, his record is like 20 game above .500 its just the owners lose millions and can't afford a huge salary and are hoping for thier talent to develope. And Eddie O still has a coaching job? Probably just dump him at the end of the season and wait and see what happens with the CBA.

[slinger]

And now Joel Quenville has been fired from the Blues. That will do nothing. Injuries and spotty goaltending have led to the subpar season for the Blues. Another Jack Adams winner too. It's down to Jaques Martin, Pat Quinn, Marc Crawford and Andy Murray as the longest serving coaches currently in the NHL.

[JAE]

Originally posted by rObix
personally, i think dipietro is gonna fizzle out, or be traded unless he gets his attitude worked out. he can't keep pulling the pranks, and taking horrible penalties and expect to stay at the nhl level.



I couldn't agree more. He's very undisciplined for an NHL level player. He a great athlete, but needs to gow up fast. He did good in tonights 0-0 tie against Boston. But he needs to mature....shouldn't have gotten rid of Luongo. But then there would be no Parrish or Kavasha.

So if the Rangers win tomorrow against the Isles, do you still see team restructuring? I would think that's the only option for the organization. They have tried everything else. But the feeling may be that a team with such history and money shouldn't have to go that route. They are trying to model the Yankees and its not the same thing, like comparing apples and oranges. If the Rangers had a Cup record like the Habs, ok. But they don't.

Thas my take. Oh, I used to work for Dolans' comapany and I know they like to waste $$$. But they are pissing off the fans.

rObix, Don't you expect more from them as a team? I mean as a fan of an original 6, you would think that they would have more pride and put something out there that kicks the crap out of everybody.....

[JAE]

Originally posted by slinger
And now Joel Quenville has been fired from the Blues. That will do nothing. Injuries and spotty goaltending have led to the subpar season for the Blues. Another Jack Adams winner too. It's down to Jaques Martin, Pat Quinn, Marc Crawford and Andy Murray as the longest serving coaches currently in the NHL.

Yeah mad firing dash today.

Hey, when the hell did Butch Goring become Asst. Coach to the Isles and what happended to the old one?

I've been away from NY too long..... :(

[slinger]

Sather set to quit Rangers
TSN.ca Staff 2/25/2004

Glen Sather is set to grant the Madison Square Garden faithful their wish. The New York Post reports Sather has decided to step down as head coach of the New York Rangers.

According to the newspaper, Sather met with Garden CEO Jim Dolan on Tuesday to discuss relinquishing his coaching duties. He will continue to be the team's president and general manager.

For the past month, Sather has been greeted by chants of "Fire Sather" by fans as the Rangers continue to struggle on the ice despite a league-high $70-million payroll. Dolan has come to the defence of Sather each time, saying he would remain behind the bench for the rest of the season. As late as last Tuesday, Sather said he had no intention of stepping down as head coach.

Assistants Tom Renney and Terry O'Reilly have been mentioned as likely replacements with Hartford Wolfpack general manager Jim Schoenfeld also being considered.

Sather is expected to make the official announcement prior to practice on Wednesday.

Whoever replaces Sather behind the bench will be the fourth coach in as many years since he assumed the general manager's reigns in New York, which has seen six coaching changes since they last qualified for the playoffs in 1996-97.

Since Sather replaced Bryan Trottier as coach of the Rangers 90 games ago, he has amassed a 33-39-11-7 record. With 20 games remaining in the season, the Rangers are in real danger of missing the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

The Rangers have won just four of their last 19 games and sit 14 points behind the rival New York Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

[rObix]

slinger, he is only stepping down as coach, so it's very scary in ranger land right now. presumably, he is stepping down to concentrate on a firesale, and there have already been a few clumbsy offers for leetch :/ boston is in the hunt for him...i dont think i could stand him wearing a piles, devils, flyers, or b's jersey. i'd rather him go to the western confrence where i dont have to be confronted by it as much.

Originally posted by JAE
I couldn't agree more. He's very undisciplined for an NHL level player. He a great athlete, but needs to gow up fast. He did good in tonights 0-0 tie against Boston. But he needs to mature....shouldn't have gotten rid of Luongo. But then there would be no Parrish or Kavasha.
i'd much rather have luongo than parrish or kavasha...but, i support a team with horrible goaltending right now :/

So if the Rangers win tomorrow against the Isles, do you still see team restructuring? I would think that's the only option for the organization. They have tried everything else. But the feeling may be that a team with such history and money shouldn't have to go that route. They are trying to model the Yankees and its not the same thing, like comparing apples and oranges. If the Rangers had a Cup record like the Habs, ok. But they don't. i think the team may be partially dismantled before the game tomorrow night. i fully expect the piles to win, and for cairns to hand purinton a beat down.
well, NO ONE has a cup record like the habs. they have 23 or 26 cups. the leafs are next with 10, i think. 4 cups in 10 trips to the finals is alright as far as cup history goes. only 14 of the many teams that have existed have won the thing. so, having 4 is better than having none.

rObix, Don't you expect more from them as a team? I mean as a fan of an original 6, you would think that they would have more pride and put something out there that kicks the crap out of everybody..... well, there was some pride when paramount owned the team. we had a good run(early 90's was great) and then cablevision bought the garden.
i personally think every player, before coming to broadway, should have an in depth pyscological work up done to see if he can stand playing under the biggest media and fan spotlight in hockey. then something like the anson carter trade wouldn't happen. he just couldn't hack it in the city.
i wish we weren't modeled after the yankee's...i'd rather see a team like the penguins go out and lose every night than this team of supposed superstars go out an d lose 4 of 5...

as for the firesale...supposedly there is interest by an unnamed western confrence team for old man messier. i feel bad saying this, but good riddance. he's been such a detriment to this team because he can't pass the C off to anyone.

[rObix]

btw, isles guys...wtf is up with your zamboni? ha...

[slinger]

Originally posted by rObix
well, there was some pride when paramount owned the team. we had a good run(early 90's was great) and then cablevision bought the garden.
i personally think every player, before coming to broadway, should have an in depth pyscological work up done to see if he can stand playing under the biggest media and fan spotlight in hockey. then something like the anson carter trade wouldn't happen. he just couldn't hack it in the city.
i wish we weren't modeled after the yankee's...i'd rather see a team like the penguins go out and lose every night than this team of supposed superstars go out an d lose 4 of 5...

as for the firesale...supposedly there is interest by an unnamed western confrence team for old man messier. i feel bad saying this, but good riddance. he's been such a detriment to this team because he can't pass the C off to anyone.

Well your early 90s had a nice portion of ex-Oilers. Fleury had trouble in New York too. what's so different in New York. The fans in Alberta and Toronto have to be the best and hockey is all over Toronto. Messier is my favourite player, and it would be great to see him just in the playoffs one more time. Maybe Detroit or San Jose or Avs are looking for Mess. Brian Burke would never bring him back, Flames and Nashville don't have the money. Could be LA.

Rangers should've hired Joel Quennville. Maybe they did offer him but the Rangers should just cleanhouse again. What happened to Jim Paddock? Wasn't he their AHL coach?

[rObix]

Originally posted by slinger
Well your early 90s had a nice portion of ex-Oilers.
true. Mess, Graves, Buekeboom, Tikkanen, Lowe, MacTavish, Anderson...i think those were the only ones that won a cup with them. i may be forgetting someone.
the 94 teams was mostly built from trades, though. the only drafted guys were richter, leetch, zubov, and kovalev i think.

Fleury had trouble in New York too.
im sure he took all his problems from calgary and brought them to new york where it was easier to find them. that was just a terrible move for the rangers.

what's so different in New York. The fans in Alberta and Toronto have to be the best and hockey is all over Toronto.
i don't know how many papers toronto has, but new york has 5 major papers that all do 2 stories a day, then there are smaller papers, and jersey papers, and connecticut papers, and radio, and about 15 stations doing stories ripped the rangers a new *******, then there are 18,000 fans screaming for sather to be fired, or for a refund. this is all while contending with the jets, giants, knicks, nets, mets, yankees, isles and devils for coverage time. :x the rangers get a huge magnifying glass while being in the 4th sport in town. whereas toronto gets it, being the first sport in town.
they also get the pleasure of ever fan of ever other team in the league making fun of them...thats a whole other special pressure.

Messier is my favourite player, and it would be great to see him just in the playoffs one more time. Maybe Detroit or San Jose or Avs are looking for Mess. Brian Burke would never bring him back, Flames and Nashville don't have the money. Could be LA. i've heard messier to detroit. probably as part of a package(barnaby, maybe?)
kovalev is probably going to dallas, or vancouver :/

Rangers should've hired Joel Quennville. Maybe they did offer him but the Rangers should just cleanhouse again. What happened to Jim Paddock? Wasn't he their AHL coach? i won't be surprised if we have bob francis behind the bench next season. we have long standing ties with emile francis(coached the rangers to two cup finals, which we lost,) and he's good with young guys.
i forget who the head coach of hartford is. nick fotiu and jim schoenfeld are asst, and GM respectivly, though...i'd rather them all stay down there, as they have a very good shot at the calder cup.

[JAE]

Here we go. I broke down and got the Center Ice Package for this....it better be good!

rObix, we'll comapre notes after the game....

[rObix]

Cairns should be benched for several games by stirling...what a moron. you dont go into revenge mode until the third period.
anyway, he suckered purinton back, and got the penalties he should of(same as purinton got)

as for the rest of the game...rangers looked good the first 30, and the isles were terrible. then it flip-flopped for the second 30. rangers are lucky dunham is an isle killer, or they probably would have lost.

well...im not so sure the half season price on center ice was worth it *just* for this game, but it's easily worth the price just to see out of market games.

[slinger]

Originally posted by rObix

i don't know how many papers toronto has, but new york has 5 major papers that all do 2 stories a day, then there are smaller papers, and jersey papers, and connecticut papers, and radio, and about 15 stations doing stories ripped the rangers a new *******, then there are 18,000 fans screaming for sather to be fired, or for a refund. this is all while contending with the jets, giants, knicks, nets, mets, yankees, isles and devils for coverage time. :x the rangers get a huge magnifying glass while being in the 4th sport in town. whereas toronto gets it, being the first sport in town.
they also get the pleasure of ever fan of ever other team in the league making fun of them...thats a whole other special pressure.


Well Toronto might have three, but our two national papers are very heavy on Toronto stuff also. So the Rangers, Devils and Islanders never make the front page of the sports? Hockey is always first page, and the pages after. Also I've seen American sports coverage. In Canada all three sportsnets the first ten-fifteen minutes is hockey. Unless something big happens, you can always count on hockey. Pete Rose was your number one story, here number two. When a non-New York area based team wins the Cup is there a picture of the Cup on the Front Section with all the other news? I'm sure New York is a tough place but in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver the media is nothing but heavy team & NHL coverage. Probably a more enjoyable place to play. I know Salanne has said he could walk the streets in Anaheim and no one would bother him, but in Winnipeg he would be mobbed.

[rObix]

Originally posted by slinger
Well Toronto might have three, but our two national papers are very heavy on Toronto stuff also. So the Rangers, Devils and Islanders never make the front page of the sports? Hockey is always first page, and the pages after. Also I've seen American sports coverage. In Canada all three sportsnets the first ten-fifteen minutes is hockey. Unless something big happens, you can always count on hockey. Pete Rose was your number one story, here number two. When a non-New York area based team wins the Cup is there a picture of the Cup on the Front S