And away we go NHL thread!!!!

[Rupe]

They didnt deserve a point for that performance. That game right there proves to me how far the mighty Wings have fallen....mediocrity thanks to the cap.

The Wings will have to finish 29th and 30th and build up some #1 draft picks

I recommend it...worked for the Pens

As for the Flyers' issues, I find that situation to be odd. 2 years ago it looked as if the Pens and Flyers, both young teams, would be doing battle for years to come. Instead, Philly has failed to really improve even though they appear to have the talent to excel. There's still enough time left for a turnaround, but it doesn't seem likely.

[Spivonious]

I recommend it...worked for the Pens

As for the Flyers' issues, I find that situation to be odd. 2 years ago it looked as if the Pens and Flyers, both young teams, would be doing battle for years to come. Instead, Philly has failed to really improve even though they appear to have the talent to excel. There's still enough time left for a turnaround, but it doesn't seem likely.

Although I didn't think it true at the time, I think that John Stevens couldn't push the players to go that extra step. The Flyers have really shown improved play since Laviolette came in, and I think they could finish as high as 4th or 5th in the East. The last game with the Pens felt very evenly matched to me, with the Pens winning on a late power play goal.

[Shawn Lutz]

is Bobby Clarke still the GM of the Flyers? He's the problem, it snot 1976 anymore. They dont need a roster all big and tough players, they need a balance of size, grit and skill.

The game is so much different today, gone are most of the one on one battles for pucks and position....todays NHL game is so wussied down thanks to Bettman rules.

[Spivonious]

No he got fired a couple years back. Paul Holmgren is the GM now, and while his trades always seem strange when he makes them, they usually turn out making the team better. Perfect example is Scottie Upschall for Dan Carcillo.

[Hellbat]

It will be interesting to see how Jokinen meshes with Gaborik. I don't think it will be awesome because Jokinen has always been a shooter and not a playmaker. Maybe they'll put them on different lines to balance the threat a bit. Jokinen hasn't really played all that well since Florida.

[Shawn Lutz]

It will be interesting to see how Jokinen meshes with Gaborik. I don't think it will be awesome because Jokinen has always been a shooter and not a playmaker. Maybe they'll put them on different lines to balance the threat a bit. Jokinen hasn't really played all that well since Florida.

he sure has been paid well though

yeah, you dont play him with Gaborik imho....spread the wealth around. They've been a one line team all season

[atomic charvel guy]

more like a one man team

[Shawn Lutz]

Looks like Burkie made out fairly well with the trade, Phaneuf, Jiggy and Sjostrom were the 3 stars for the Leafs last night.

Phaneuf got in a fight...wussy sheild wearer though...

[Hellbat]

Actually its kind of funny. I think the long term stat for people scoring their 1st game after being traded is pretty unusually high. The whole "I'm going to show them" attitude. I usually look to how they are playing 10 games after the trade to judge what you are really getting.

[Shawn Lutz]

yeah Hellbat...it was one game, no time to plan the Cup parade!

[CharvelRocker]

Ffffuuuu-

Typical of the Flyers. One day they look like world beaters, the next they loose to the worst team in the NHL. They tried but didn't win... thing is, the chemistry on this team is just not right and I'm not sure what will fix it at this point.

[javert]

Phaneuf got in a fight...wussy sheild wearer though...

Haha, at least you didn't say what Don Cherry once said about wearing a shield and having a name like that--not exactly PC

[Rupe]

Actually its kind of funny. I think the long term stat for people scoring their 1st game after being traded is pretty unusually high. The whole "I'm going to show them" attitude. I usually look to how they are playing 10 games after the trade to judge what you are really getting.

Well said...I was thinking that same thing.

4 days between Pens games is killing me...5 when you consider the last one was on Vs and I had to follow it on-line.

[Tetsuo]

Fucking Hawks. They are killing me with this. they have a great roadtrip beat the teams the have to then slide into a two game skid starting with Carolina. Same with the Bulls wtf.

[Rupe]

Fucking Hawks. They are killing me with this. they have a great roadtrip beat the teams the have to then slide into a two game skid starting with Carolina. Same with the Bulls wtf.

You really can't expect the Bulls to do well at hockey though