NHL 2008-2009 thread

HorseFilms

HorseFilms

Look ma no hands
This is long overdue. I just thought I'd get it started and let everyone chime in about their teams.

The Wild just can't seem to score regularly. It's right there, but they can't seem to finish. If it wasn't for their defense and Backstrom, they'd be screwed.

On a side note, we're playing the Blues tonight and their alternate jerseys absolutely kick ass.
 
Yeah man, we should have started this thread a while ago.

Leafs took it to the Penguins tonight - 7-3.

Honestly there has been so much going on with the Leafs this year, I don't know where to start. The team looks to be going in the right direction, we finally have a competent GM who I've been waiting for the team to get for years. Then there is the Sundin issue, which I'll get into later cos I'm still a little sour over the whole ordeal, espcially with him signing with the Canucks after him not wanting to waive his NTC.

Anyways.......

What's the deal with Gaborik, is he going to sign or you think he'll be moved?
 
I don't think there's a chance in hell he'll sign with the Wild. Look for him to be traded as soon as he puts a string of decent games together.
 
I don't think there's a chance in hell he'll sign with the Wild. Look for him to be traded as soon as he puts a string of decent games together.
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I heard the contract he was offered was like 8 years 64M or something and he was looking for something along the lines 12 years 96M or something ridiculous. I wouldn't give him the 8 years 64M, the guy is always hurt.

That Brent Burns kid is looking good for you guys, and a very good contract he's under for the next 3-4 years.

The Maple Leafs look like an entirely different team and their pretty fun to watch, getting the old boys club out of there was much needed. It was a shame that all of them had NTC and wouldn't waive them, cos we basically got nothing for them.

As for Sundin, he's my favourite player and Leaf for years. What pisses me off is last year at the deadline, he says he's not going to waive his NTC and states that he doesn't believe in rental players and a player should be with a team threw training camp. 6 months later, he misses training camp, pretty much sits out half the year and then signs with another team. Now, I'm not surprised he signed with another team, but they way it went down is just terrible, here is a player that has made over 70M from the Leafs and well deserved in my opinion( he was awesome for us) but all he had to do to make things right was waive the NTC, the leafs could have gotten 1 very good player, 2 prospects and 1st round draft pick for him, and are well on our way to rebuilding the team, instead we get nothing. As for the Canucks, I can't stand them, not so much the team but their fans (sorry to any Canucks fans on here), constantly shi* all over the Leafs for some apparent reason and Toronto in general. I've heard for years how Sundin sucks and so on and so on, soon as he signs with them, there all in love with him. IMO worst fans in the league (along with the Senators......sorry Michael, it's got to be said :)) That being said some leafs fans aren't that intelligent either and I'll be the first to admit that. There is something odd about a city that has this constant fascination about what another city thinks about them, it's like the little brother sulking cos he doesn't get enough attention.

Anyways, nobody is getting by San Jose or Detroit this year. I'm calling Rangers versus San Jose in the finals.

Also, holy **** is Boston kicking some ass, where'd they come from.
 
I was really happy to see Burke end up in Toronto. He's going to bring that franchise back where it belongs. The Sundin situation stinks. I would've expected more from him.

San Jose is freaking invincible.

Burns is a stud in the making. He's big, fast and can play both forward and D.

At least I'm not the only one with a healthy hatred for the Canucks. I even disliked them before Mattias Ohlund broke Mikko Koivu's leg with a two-hander from behind.

Also, holy shi* is Boston kicking some ass, where'd they come from.
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I was wondering the same thing.
 
Boston queitly made the playoffs last year and nearly knocked off Montreal. They came flying out of the gates and haven't looked back. They have a great defensive system in place (similar to what Minnesota always has) and Tim Thomas looks great this year. I think Boston could do some damage in the playoffs.

I was really happy to see Burke end up in Toronto. He's going to bring that franchise back where it belongs. The Sundin situation stinks. I would've expected more from him.
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Burke is my dream GM, he's the crusty no nonsense person I've always wanted the Leafs to get and what's even better is that he alone is the only person in charge of hockey operations, where as in the past most of the GM's had to get the okay on everything from the board (The Leafs are literally a coporation - Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, owns The Leafs, Raptors, Air Canada Center, MLS's Toronto FC, BMO field where the FC play, The Toronto Marlies (Leafs AHL team) and the stadium they play in, also own a **** load of Condo's in TO as well as tons and tons of other property in Canada and over seas, their massive and are worth close to a billion. So in previous years, it wouldn't matter, the team still made money with terrible teams on the ice (and a lot of it at that).

Burns is a stud in the making. He's big, fast and can play both forward and D.
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I drafted him in my pool this year, he's been great for me.

The Leafs drafted an 18 year old D man this past June - Luke Schenn, he's hurt right now, but he's been fantastic all year, pretty impressive an 18 year old can make the team right out of junior. I'm thinking off getting him on my Jersey, it's been a long long time since the Leafs had a promising prospect.
 
Gaborik gone for the season?

That sucks on both losing him for the year but also the possibilty of not being able to move him at the deadline and get a big return for him. That would suck considering after Demitra walked in the offseason.

Did anyone check out the winter classic on New Years at Wrigley field? They did a pretty good job again this year. What are your guys thoughts on it? I think it's pretty cool way for the NHL to sell the game in the States and it should be something they do every year. There is also talk of them doing it for the All Star in the next couple of years.
 
The Gaborik situation has become a nightmare. This is the worst thing that could've happen to the Wild. Now, they get nothing. The thing that pisses me off the most is that this surgery will probably work, he won't have the nagging groin injuries anymore, and he'll be a 60 goal scorer every year... for the Canucks.

The Winter Classic is awesome. I'm really glad they started doing this and I hope it continues.
 
The Gaborik situation has become a nightmare. This is the worst thing that could've happen to the Wild. Now, they get nothing. The thing that pisses me off the most is that this surgery will probably work, he won't have the nagging groin injuries anymore, and he'll be a 60 goal scorer every year... for the Canucks.
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Yeah, I was thinking one of the two possibilities with his hip. 1) It get's fixed and like you said no longer has the groin injuries that have consistently kept him out the past years and scores 50 goals or 2) He hurts it again and it becomes a constant problem for him throughout his career like Alex Mogilny.

His contract demands are ridiculous too, he's not worth 8M per year based on his stats. I think last year was his best year year and the first time he broke 70 points. 8M is a lot for a player who is injury prone.

I was wondering what kinda conver the World Juniors have been getting in the US. Outside the northern states, I'm sure there is very little. You ever follow that? Great hockey, US team had a tough year this year, there usually our toughest competition and they had a great game on New Years Eve. The Semi finals against Russia on Saturday night was pretty amazing. Down a goal and we score with like 4 seconds left and win in the shootout. Russians looked devestated.
 
So...you guys think the Winter Classic will last!? This year's game seemed to be even a bigger success than last year.

I live near Columbus, and all the buzz is about playing a game in Ohio Stadium (home of the Buckeyes) in the future. I say, "yeah right." If it keeps going, I think they're going to try to hit most of the "older" teams before they have the Nashville @ Columbus Winter Classic :)

It'd be sweet to see a matchup in Toronto.
 
It'd be sweet to see a matchup in Toronto.
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It would be really cool if they did a Toronto Montreal game, but that's not going to happen, the NHL doesn't need to push those markets, there already bring in the biggest revenues. They need to concentrate in areas where hockey markets have declined over the years, Chicago and Detroit was a good idea this year and last year showcasing Crosby and the Penguins against the Sabres was also pretty smart.

There is talk right now that there might be a Montreal Vs Boston at Fenway or Rangers against Toronto at the new Yankee stadium. And I'd be all for them doing a game in Ohio, I think that's one of the better fan bases for the recent franchises and I think it would do good there. Columbus vs Philly, I'm sure could have potential to be a big game.

What I would suggest is for them to expand the game and get it outside of the baseball stadiums, football stadiums are better setups for this type of thing, but the problem being is that there is a possibilty that the stadiums could be in use during New Years with the NFL playoffs and setting up the rink takes at least a week, with that being said, I'm sure they could take advatage of the zillions of college stadiums throughout the states, most of those wouldn't be in use and most of those are bigger than NFL stadiums.

All and all, it's a good way to grow the game in the US markets.
 
I keep an eye on the World Juniors. It's great hockey and really fun to watch. I always find myself following Team Canada more than Team USA, though. Always have. Same with the Olympics.:)
 
Here's an iPhone pic from the Russia game.

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What a game! I'll never forget it.

I had better seats for the Canada/USA game. :)

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MAH
 
I was at the last few games. :beer:

Tonight was just amazing!!
Canada rules once again.
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That would have been pretty cool.

That Russia game was nuts, the entire building exploded when Eberle scored that goal. It amazes me that these kids can play at such a high level with so much pressure on them, I guess, it's a good way to get them use to the NHL.

When it comes to international hockey nobody can touch us. Going to be interesting to see what team Yzerman builds for the 2010. That's going to be fun to watch.
 
Team USA's junior team plays here, and they are really something else to watch... and a bunch of kids too! Any idea if the Juniors will get any network coverage for any of their championships?
 
Horse, what do you watch the WJC on? Do you get a Canadian feed or is it on ESPN 5 or something like that.

Here in Canada it's on our major sports network every year and it is a big big deal.
 
I'm watching the Wild vs. Bruins game right now. The Wild are up 1-0 right now (I think the Bruins are going to win this game, if they can stay out of the box). I really think Owen Nolan is one of the most important players on the Wild squad. He's always in the right place.

This Boston team is good... real good.
 
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