NHL '09/'10 Season Thread

[jasonk282]

^^^^^ He also let the Pens score 3 goals in the 1st period and got yanked 4 days ago. He is way to streaky of a goaltender. Thomas is a AMAZING goaltender, I would say 2nd or 3rd in the league.

But to think that us Yanks are going to be playing for gold is insane, each team is fucking stacked. The Olympics is like the ultimate all-star game in hockey, every country is pretty much loaded with NHL talent from top to bottom. The Yanks are going to put on a good show and I hope we do play for a metal, but let's be a bit realistic. Our team is young, which I like, but we might be a bit too green at the olympics to make a good run at it. But it is sports so anything is possible, especially when you are playing for your country it just means a bit more.

Bottom line: Team USA is going to make a good run, but I don't think we are going to be playing for a metal. I hope I am wrong.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Just saw Langenbrunner score the first hat trick in his career against the Wild tonight.

Is this a sign of things to come in Vancouver...:bowdown::nanner:

Two MN boys - Langenbrunner and Parise - both are captains on the Devils, one of the best teams in the NHL. They are a damn good team!

No wonder why they wanted Lemaire, he is the best coach in the league. I watched him for close to ten years.

 

[rodfarva]

I've been on vacation since December 17th, so I haven't posted or replied to posts in a while. Needless to say, a lot has happened since then and I am going to comment on some things:

First of all, anybody who said Luongo has been even a tad disappointing this year must be living in the Twilight Zone. He is top ten in the league in wins, save percentage, and goals against average. He is 21-12-1 with a .921 save percentage and a 2.25 goals against average. Those are excellent stats. And in his last 6 games he's let in a total of 9 goals. And get this, his 2.25 GAA would be the BEST of his career if he were to maintain it until the end of the year and his .921 SV% would be his second best. So if he's been disappointing this year, then I guess he's been atrocious the rest of his career, right?

That said, Brodeur is the starter for Team Canada and Luongo is the backup. There is no debate.

As for the national teams, Team Canada and Team Russia are both formidable, but Canada is the favourite, as always, because think about this for a second, do you really think that Denis Grebeshkov or Sergei Federov or about half of Team Russia would have had a snowball's chance in hell of making Team Canada? Obviously, Malkin, Datsyuk, Ovechkin, Semin, and Kovalchuk are amazing players and they give Russia a chance to win against any team, but it's all about depth. Our third and fourth lines are going to be 32489723498723 times better than any other teams', including Russia. As for defence, no one touches Team Canada, not even close. There are only three defencemen on any international roster who might have made Team Canada: Zdeno Chara of Slovakia, Andrei Markov of Russia, and MAYBE Nicklas Lidstrom of Sweden, but he's having a pretty poor season and he doesn't stack up against Team Canada's defencemen, not this year. Gonchar would've had no chance to make Team Canada, and it's true, so don't disagree. All of Canada's defencemen are COMPLETE players who can play as superstars in ANY situation. As for the goalies, we have the two best in the world and Fleury is no slouch himself, but I won't go so far as to say that no other nation's goaltenders even come close to ours. Team USA will have two great goaltenders in Thomas and Miller, the latter of which is having one of the best seasons in the league so far. Nabokov is good, and so is Bryzgalov, but Nabokov has a history of choking in important games. Kiprusoff is overrated and Niklas Backstrom is having an average season only. Lundqvist is great, but the Swedes had better hope he stays healthy.

Here's how it all breaks down:

Team Canada: the favourites and the best team, no doubt, but by no means unbeatable.

Team Russia: a close second to Canada, but nowhere near the depth. Incredible offensive firepower and really good team chemistry, but lacking severely defensively.

Team Sweden: defending gold medallists with very little pressure to repeat. Could make them a dangerous team. Roster is very complete.

Team USA: extremely underrated and disrepected. They could be better than Team Sweden, and I think they are. Their lack of experience may hurt them, but their defensive depth is second only to Canada and they have a roster complete with well-above average players.

Team Finland: pretty good team, but not great. Their top scorers have all seen better days.

Team Czech Republic: don't expect much. All of their players are way past their prime, including Jagr, who hasn't been playing against the world's top talent for a long time.

Team Slovakia: could upset some teams, if it weren't for their mediocre goaltending (and Halak sucks, trust me, don't be fooled into believing he's good, he's terrible) I would rank them ahead of the Czechs at this point. Depth is a big problem for them though.

I think the two best teams are Canada and Russia for sure, then the USA and Sweden, and then all the rest. I expect a Canada gold, but I always expect that, and a Russia silver, and a USA bronze. It's going to be a good tournament, that's for sure. Russia is better than ever and so is the USA, Canada has to really bare down and play focused and determined hockey if they're going to win gold.

 

[jasonk282]

I've been on vacation since December 17th, so I haven't posted or replied to posts in a while. Needless to say, a lot has happened since then and I am going to comment on some things:

First of all, anybody who said Luongo has been even a tad disappointing this year must be living in the Twilight Zone. He is top ten in the league in wins, save percentage, and goals against average. He is 21-12-1 with a .921 save percentage and a 2.25 goals against average. Those are excellent stats. And in his last 6 games he's let in a total of 9 goals. And get this, his 2.25 GAA would be the BEST of his career if he were to maintain it until the end of the year and his .921 SV% would be his second best. So if he's been disappointing this year, then I guess he's been atrocious the rest of his career, right?

That said, Brodeur is the starter for Team Canada and Luongo is the backup. There is no debate.

As for the national teams, Team Canada and Team Russia are both formidable, but Canada is the favourite, as always, because think about this for a second, do you really think that Denis Grebeshkov or Sergei Federov or about half of Team Russia would have had a snowball's chance in hell of making Team Canada? Obviously, Malkin, Datsyuk, Ovechkin, Semin, and Kovalchuk are amazing players and they give Russia a chance to win against any team, but it's all about depth. Our third and fourth lines are going to be 32489723498723 times better than any other teams', including Russia. As for defence, no one touches Team Canada, not even close. There are only three defencemen on any international roster who might have made Team Canada: Zdeno Chara of Slovakia, Andrei Markov of Russia, and MAYBE Nicklas Lidstrom of Sweden, but he's having a pretty poor season and he doesn't stack up against Team Canada's defencemen, not this year. Gonchar would've had no chance to make Team Canada, and it's true, so don't disagree. All of Canada's defencemen are COMPLETE players who can play as superstars in ANY situation. As for the goalies, we have the two best in the world and Fleury is no slouch himself, but I won't go so far as to say that no other nation's goaltenders even come close to ours. Team USA will have two great goaltenders in Thomas and Miller, the latter of which is having one of the best seasons in the league so far. Nabokov is good, and so is Bryzgalov, but Nabokov has a history of choking in important games. Kiprusoff is overrated and Niklas Backstrom is having an average season only. Lundqvist is great, but the Swedes had better hope he stays healthy.

Here's how it all breaks down:

Team Canada: the favourites and the best team, no doubt, but by no means unbeatable.

Team Russia: a close second to Canada, but nowhere near the depth. Incredible offensive firepower and really good team chemistry, but lacking severely defensively.

Team Sweden: defending gold medallists with very little pressure to repeat. Could make them a dangerous team. Roster is very complete.

Team USA: extremely underrated and disrepected. They could be better than Team Sweden, and I think they are. Their lack of experience may hurt them, but their defensive depth is second only to Canada and they have a roster complete with well-above average players.

Team Finland: pretty good team, but not great. Their top scorers have all seen better days.

Team Czech Republic: don't expect much. All of their players are way past their prime, including Jagr, who hasn't been playing against the world's top talent for a long time.

Team Slovakia: could upset some teams, if it weren't for their mediocre goaltending (and Halak sucks, trust me, don't be fooled into believing he's good, he's terrible) I would rank them ahead of the Czechs at this point. Depth is a big problem for them though.

I think the two best teams are Canada and Russia for sure, then the USA and Sweden, and then all the rest. I expect a Canada gold, but I always expect that, and a Russia silver, and a USA bronze. It's going to be a good tournament, that's for sure. Russia is better than ever and so is the USA, Canada has to really bare down and play focused and determined hockey if they're going to win gold.

by far the best analysis of the teams so far. And spot on for the Yanks. Would be nice to see it got Canada, Russia and USa but better to see USA get at least the silver, I really think gold is out of reach for us. Our youth might be our downfall.

 

[lurkingdirk]

I've been on vacation since December 17th, so I haven't posted or replied to posts in a while. Needless to say, a lot has happened since then and I am going to comment on some things:

First of all, anybody who said Luongo has been even a tad disappointing this year must be living in the Twilight Zone. He is top ten in the league in wins, save percentage, and goals against average. He is 21-12-1 with a .921 save percentage and a 2.25 goals against average. Those are excellent stats. And in his last 6 games he's let in a total of 9 goals. And get this, his 2.25 GAA would be the BEST of his career if he were to maintain it until the end of the year and his .921 SV% would be his second best. So if he's been disappointing this year, then I guess he's been atrocious the rest of his career, right?

That said, Brodeur is the starter for Team Canada and Luongo is the backup. There is no debate.

As for the national teams, Team Canada and Team Russia are both formidable, but Canada is the favourite, as always, because think about this for a second, do you really think that Denis Grebeshkov or Sergei Federov or about half of Team Russia would have had a snowball's chance in hell of making Team Canada? Obviously, Malkin, Datsyuk, Ovechkin, Semin, and Kovalchuk are amazing players and they give Russia a chance to win against any team, but it's all about depth. Our third and fourth lines are going to be 32489723498723 times better than any other teams', including Russia. As for defence, no one touches Team Canada, not even close. There are only three defencemen on any international roster who might have made Team Canada: Zdeno Chara of Slovakia, Andrei Markov of Russia, and MAYBE Nicklas Lidstrom of Sweden, but he's having a pretty poor season and he doesn't stack up against Team Canada's defencemen, not this year. Gonchar would've had no chance to make Team Canada, and it's true, so don't disagree. All of Canada's defencemen are COMPLETE players who can play as superstars in ANY situation. As for the goalies, we have the two best in the world and Fleury is no slouch himself, but I won't go so far as to say that no other nation's goaltenders even come close to ours. Team USA will have two great goaltenders in Thomas and Miller, the latter of which is having one of the best seasons in the league so far. Nabokov is good, and so is Bryzgalov, but Nabokov has a history of choking in important games. Kiprusoff is overrated and Niklas Backstrom is having an average season only. Lundqvist is great, but the Swedes had better hope he stays healthy.

Here's how it all breaks down:

Team Canada: the favourites and the best team, no doubt, but by no means unbeatable.

Team Russia: a close second to Canada, but nowhere near the depth. Incredible offensive firepower and really good team chemistry, but lacking severely defensively.

Team Sweden: defending gold medallists with very little pressure to repeat. Could make them a dangerous team. Roster is very complete.

Team USA: extremely underrated and disrepected. They could be better than Team Sweden, and I think they are. Their lack of experience may hurt them, but their defensive depth is second only to Canada and they have a roster complete with well-above average players.

Team Finland: pretty good team, but not great. Their top scorers have all seen better days.

Team Czech Republic: don't expect much. All of their players are way past their prime, including Jagr, who hasn't been playing against the world's top talent for a long time.

Team Slovakia: could upset some teams, if it weren't for their mediocre goaltending (and Halak sucks, trust me, don't be fooled into believing he's good, he's terrible) I would rank them ahead of the Czechs at this point. Depth is a big problem for them though.

I think the two best teams are Canada and Russia for sure, then the USA and Sweden, and then all the rest. I expect a Canada gold, but I always expect that, and a Russia silver, and a USA bronze. It's going to be a good tournament, that's for sure. Russia is better than ever and so is the USA, Canada has to really bare down and play focused and determined hockey if they're going to win gold.

There's truth in this here post.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

^^ I was willing to listen to your argument until you said Kiprusoff was overrated. I know your an Oilers fan and have to hate the Flames, but I hate them to and I know that on any night Kiprusoff can give Brodeur a run for the money.

Our third and forth lines are not 32489723498723 better than any other team. Maybe twice as good.

Remember in 2006 when Canada was the favourite to win? That turned out well.

Remember when we were the favourites in 2008 (Where we were supposed to win in Canada) and 2009? Who did we end up losing to? Russia.

Anything can happen in hockey. Yesterday the Switzerland junior team defeated the Russians. Canada is nowhere near as good as you say they are; we were this good last year and we lost to Switzerland. We might have a good defence, but Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk, Fedorov, Semin and Kovalchuk will all be able to break through any defence we can come up with, and that is Russia's team alone. No one knows how NHL players will play against KHL players. I do not think they are as bad as people think they are. Jagr will still be a major threat to any team he plays against.

When it comes to goaltending, you are right, the game is much more even all around the board. Canada has Brodeur, Russia has Nabokov, Sweden has Lundqvist, Finland has Kiprusoff, and the USA has Miller. Hell, even the Czechs have Vokoun. It is going to be all about goaltending when these games play. I'm going to be particularily interested in seeing how what should be our top line of Heatley, Marleau, and Thorton play against Nabokov.

Canada is a favourite. I won't argue with that. But we are not the only favourite. Russia, Sweden and Finland are right up there with us; the history of the last Olympics and the World Championships proves it.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

^^ I was willing to listen to your argument until you said Kiprusoff was overrated. I know your an Oilers fan and have to hate the Flames, but I hate them to and I know that on any night Kiprusoff can give Brodeur a run for the money.

Our third and forth lines are not 32489723498723 better than any other team. Maybe twice as good.

Remember in 2006 when Canada was the favourite to win? That turned out well.

Remember when we were the favourites in 2008 (Where we were supposed to win in Canada) and 2009? Who did we end up losing to? Russia.

Anything can happen in hockey. Yesterday the Switzerland junior team defeated the Russians. Canada is nowhere near as good as you say they are; we were this good last year and we lost to Switzerland. We might have a good defence, but Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk, Fedorov, Semin and Kovalchuk will all be able to break through any defence we can come up with, and that is Russia's team alone. No one knows how NHL players will play against KHL players. I do not think they are as bad as people think they are. Jagr will still be a major threat to any team he plays against.

When it comes to goaltending, you are right, the game is much more even all around the board. Canada has Brodeur, Russia has Nabokov, Sweden has Lundqvist, Finland has Kiprusoff, and the USA has Miller. Hell, even the Czechs have Vokoun. It is going to be all about goaltending when these games play. I'm going to be particularily interested in seeing how what should be our top line of Heatley, Marleau, and Thorton play against Nabokov.

Canada is a favourite. I won't argue with that. But we are not the only favourite. Russia, Sweden and Finland are right up there with us; the history of the last Olympics and the World Championships proves it.

If the KHL players play on the olympic/college sized ice in their league (I think they do) then they are probably already going to be better than some think. I wish the NHL would adopt that size rink and don't know why they don't. Maybe they want the game more physical and have less room to work the puck. I don't know.

 

[rodfarva]

^^ I was willing to listen to your argument until you said Kiprusoff was overrated. I know your an Oilers fan and have to hate the Flames, but I hate them to and I know that on any night Kiprusoff can give Brodeur a run for the money.

Our third and forth lines are not 32489723498723 better than any other team. Maybe twice as good.

Remember in 2006 when Canada was the favourite to win? That turned out well.

Remember when we were the favourites in 2008 (Where we were supposed to win in Canada) and 2009? Who did we end up losing to? Russia.

Anything can happen in hockey. Yesterday the Switzerland junior team defeated the Russians. Canada is nowhere near as good as you say they are; we were this good last year and we lost to Switzerland. We might have a good defence, but Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk, Fedorov, Semin and Kovalchuk will all be able to break through any defence we can come up with, and that is Russia's team alone. No one knows how NHL players will play against KHL players. I do not think they are as bad as people think they are. Jagr will still be a major threat to any team he plays against.

When it comes to goaltending, you are right, the game is much more even all around the board. Canada has Brodeur, Russia has Nabokov, Sweden has Lundqvist, Finland has Kiprusoff, and the USA has Miller. Hell, even the Czechs have Vokoun. It is going to be all about goaltending when these games play. I'm going to be particularily interested in seeing how what should be our top line of Heatley, Marleau, and Thorton play against Nabokov.

Canada is a favourite. I won't argue with that. But we are not the only favourite. Russia, Sweden and Finland are right up there with us; the history of the last Olympics and the World Championships proves it.

I have no problem with it when people disagree with me, in fact I encourage it, as it could provide me with additional insight I might have overlooked, but it seems like you're trying to disagree with me here, but you're really mostly just disagreeing with things I DIDN'T say, if you follow me.

Let me explain, I said repeatedly in my post that Canada was the favourite, but that the Russians are very good as well and that it will be a good tournament with some very good competition. You seem to be trying to say that I said that Canada was unbeatable and a sure thing for the gold. I did not say this. I also did not say that the KHL is not good at any point, nor do I believe that. The KHL is easily the second best hockey league in the world with a plethora of talented players, but it is not the best league in the world and it does not have the best talent in the world, that would be the NHL.

As for your post, I agree with almost all of it. The only thing is that Federov doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk, Semin, and Kovalchuk, not at this point in his career. Federov hadn't scored more than 43 points, or anywhere close to a point per game in a season in the NHL since 2003-2004 before he went to Russia. He is not a major threat anymore. And as for Jagr, his last season in the NHL he scored 71 points, certainly more than respectable, but nowhere near the type of output he had when he was considered one of the best, if not the best, hockey player in the world. Additionally, he hasn't quite averaged a point per game even in the KHL so far, so I believe it's fairly obvious that he's not the player that he used to be, though doubtless he is still a good hockey player.

As for our third and fourth lines being 32489723498723 times better than any other teams', I think you should be able to recognize the fact that I'm exaggerating. If our third line is, as I believe it should and will be, Iginla, Richards, and Morrow, then they'll be able to slow down anybody, including a line of Malkin, Datsyuk, Ovechkin, especially considering who our defencemen will be out there on the ice with them. Definitely not shut them down, but definitely slow them down.

And Kiprusoff is overrated, I know he's having an amazing year, but he is overrated. It has nothing to do with the Flames or my hatred of them. In case you wanted to know, they are my third favourite team in the NHL and I cheer for them as soon as the Oilers and then the Senators are no longer contenders.

As for not listening to my argument, you definitely should always listen to my arguments, I know what I'm talking about, and I could provide insight for you. I listened to your argument, even though I don't think you're right about some of what you said.

 

[Mauser98k]

THAT is the Smitty we know:

NEW YORK -- New Jersey Devils right wing Jamie Langenbrunner, Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith and Dallas Stars left wing Loui Eriksson have been named the NHL 'Three Stars' for the week ending Jan. 3.

*

FIRST STAR -- JAMIE LANGENBRUNNER, RW, NEW JERSEY DEVILS Highlights

Langenbrunner tallied six points last week (five goals, one assist), helping the Devils (29-10-1) win three of four games. Langenbrunner recorded one assist in a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers Dec. 28, notched one goal in a 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins Dec. 30 and tallied his club's only score in a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Dec. 31. The 34-year-old Cloquet, Minnesota native was honored with his second career selection to the United States Olympic Team Jan. 1 and celebrated a trip to his home state by recording his first career NHL hat trick in a 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild Jan. 2. Langenbrunner ranks second on the Devils in scoring with 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 40 games, a pace that would challenge his single-season career high of 69 set with the Devils last season.

SECOND STAR -- MIKE SMITH, G, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING Highlights

Smith stopped 89 of 93 shots in posting a 2-0-1 record with a 1.31 goals-against average and.957 save percentage as the Lightning (16-15-10) moved within one point of a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Smith recorded 31 saves in a 2-1 victory over the Boston Bruins Dec. 28, stopped 33 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens Dec. 30 and finished the week by making 25 saves in a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins Jan. 2. Smith has posted a 9-10-6 record with a 2.89 goals-against average, .906 save percentage and one shutout in 25 appearances this season.

THIRD STAR -- LOUI ERIKSSON, LW, DALLAS STARS Highlights

Eriksson scored five goals last week, helping the Stars (18-12-11) win two of three games. Eriksson recorded one goal in a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks Dec. 29, notched his second career hat trick, including the game-winning goal, in a 5-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks Dec. 31 and tallied his club's only goal in a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Jan. 2. Eriksson ranks second on the Stars in scoring with 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 41 games, on pace to easily eclipse his career high of 63 points set last season with the Stars. He earned his first career selection to the Swedish Olympic Team Dec. 27.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

Bergeron took a slapshot on his hand and left the Bruins game tonight. It sucks for Boston, but I don't think they have to call for a replacement for the Olympics.

 

[rodfarva]

Bergeron took a slapshot on his hand and left the Bruins game tonight. It sucks for Boston, but I don't think they have to call for a replacement for the Olympics.

I really hope this isn't serious enough to jeopardize his chances of competing at the Olympics. He was definitely one of the biggest surprise picks by Yzerman, but he was definitely chosen for a reason and I was and still am looking forward to seeing he and Crosby back on a line together. They really had excellent chemistry together at the '05 Juniors and the '06 World Championships.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

I really hope this isn't serious enough to jeopardize his chances of competing at the Olympics. He was definitely one of the biggest surprise picks by Yzerman, but he was definitely chosen for a reason and I was and still am looking forward to seeing he and Crosby back on a line together. They really had excellent chemistry together at the '05 Juniors and the '06 World Championships.

According to TSN, they will find out soon if he won't be able to play. I thought it wasn't that serious, but I guess we'll will find out.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=304814

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

USA Wins World Junior Championships yesterday!

:nanner: This is dedicated to all the Canadien boys. :thefinger:thefinger:thefinger:thefinger:thefinger

 

[lurkingdirk]

Dear Bloodshot Scott,

Suck it.

Love,
Dirk and the Canadians.

Seriously, you guys just outplayed us. It was a great game.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

:nanner: This is dedicated to all the Canadien boys. :thefinger:thefinger:thefinger:thefinger:thefinger

You know, when you do something like that you are only setting yourself up for when the Americans get beaten in the Olympics. :dunno:

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Best believe the roster was watching that game and getting hyped for Vancouver. It could be a microcosm of what's to come. :nanner:

 

[Mauser98k]

the Lightning have 3 goals on 7 shots more than halfway through the game and are beating the Devils 3-0 when the Prudential Center loses power

 

[Mauser98k]

some tweets from the oddly dark Lightning game:

"erlendssontrib MSG just showed electrician guy by the circuit breakers shaking his head = not a good sign!!!! "

"erlendssontrib No answer on if game is official, but NHL VP of Hockey Ops Mike Murphy said the game will be played before he had to take another call"

"erlendssontrib They just brought lights up, and low and behold, Tampa Bay bench still shrouded in shadows!!!!"

"erlendssontrib Closing in on an hour delay here, and for those asking about whether this game is official if lights stay out, we're looking into it"

funniest/oddest thing i've ever seen in a hockey game.

 

[STDiva]

You know, when you do something like that you are only setting yourself up for when the Americans get beaten in the Olympics. :dunno:

Yup. Americans definitely won't be winning anything in the Olympics.

That being said, I'm glad the Americans won the junior tournament. It's good for hockey. And I hate seeing all these pompous Canadian kids skating around thinking they are Wayne Gretzky. All the skill in the world but wouldn't play as a team.

 

[Mauser98k]

"erlendssontrib: Delay now over 90 minutes, and they really can't call it and reschedule the finish, as precedent states, because this is final meeting this season."

sounds like the only thing they can do is call it and give the Lightning the weirdest win in franchise history

EDIT:

RESCHEDULED! no!