HOCKEY IS BACK!!!

and Better than ever!! watch my first pre-season game of the year last night Islanders Vs. Rangers, isles took it to them with a commanding 5-1 victory! zhitnik 2 goals and the new islanders captain Alexi Yashin had a goal & an assist! the rangers won the shootout(all pre-season games despite the score go to the shootout so teams can practice it) the flow of the game with the new rules is unbelievable its the best hockey i have seen since the '93 playoffs, and it might be better. there were so many powerplays, a lot of long passing each team had at least 4 breakaways each and there was hitting but no obstruction and very odd not one fight or major altercation(a rangers/Isles Pre-season game? its usually a slugfest), i didnt mind it at all because the skill of the game finally was put at the forefront.

i went to New York in January and me and my pals had the intention of watching some hockey, Typical Brits we didn't bother to do any research, we knew where the rangers played so we decided we'd go there.

got there and going through customs and the guy behind the counter goes to us,'you here to see the paly-offs?'. we told him we wanted to see some hockey, he told us about the strike that was on

we went to watch the sack of shit that is basketball instead, Knicks Vs Bucks, probably the worst 3 hrs i've spent ever

...AND SO IS PAVEL DATSYUK! I am very, VERY excited, to say the least. :D

did he sign with detroit? i thought he had signed already in Russia and Wasnt going to be playing in the N.H.L. This year?

frank smarra wrote: did he sign with detroit? i thought he had signed already in Russia and Wasnt going to be playing in the N.H.L. This year?

He wised up and is coming back.

Dan Delgado wrote:

frank smarra wrote: did he sign with detroit? i thought he had signed already in Russia and Wasnt going to be playing in the N.H.L. This year?

He wised up and is coming back.

Damn right.

Speaking of my beloved Wings, I'm happy to report that they beat the Avs in OT last night. And it wasn't a shootout. I will be going to see them in Colorado on February 4. :D

that is great for the league and the wings, pavel will score a ton of goals in the new N.H.L. a lot of the guys that got jobs being tough guy checkers are out of jobs now, the smaller faster skill players are back in favor. its going to be a great season

sidney crosby got an assist in his 1st Pre-Season game last night

Petr Svoboda had a long solid career nic. are there still the rumors flying around that Theodore will be traded to Florida for Luongo? i hear Keenan Demanded Michael Rider Too!

Spotnick wrote:

frank smarra wrote: Petr Svoboda had a long solid career nic. are there still the rumors flying around that Theodore will be traded to Florida for Luongo? i hear Keenan Demanded Michael Rider Too!

No, this is a dead rumour now that Theo is signed.

Plus, we have depth at this position... the best goalie in the NCAA 2 years ago, and our first round pick this year, so when Theo's contract will expire in 3 years, all of them will be ready.

How do you think the Habs will do this year?

Spotnick wrote: The North East Division is IMHO the worst of them all... it's going to be tough.

Injuries will be the factor, although the Habs are the only team with a star goalie in his prime.

I predict we will finish 6th in the east, but roll the dice, anything can happen, I'm sure between 4 and 12, there will be less than 8 points.

The worst division? Even with the Habs, Sens and Leafs? The Bruins aren't great, but they aren't bad, either. I think the Southeast division is easily worst.

Or maybe I should be asking what you mean by "worst."

frank smarra wrote: that is great for the league and the wings, pavel will score a ton of goals in the new N.H.L. a lot of the guys that got jobs being tough guy checkers are out of jobs now, the smaller faster skill players are back in favor. its going to be a great season

Who do you think he will play on a line with?

I Dunno who is still on the wings? lang? zetterburg? Stevie Y?

I read Osgood hurt his groin, i expect there will be a lot of injuries like that this season being that not everyone has played competitive hockey for more than a year.

i saw some highlights of crosby last night, this kid is good! he didnt score but he was putting himself in the clear with his skating and creating some exciting scoring chances.

Pens are Visiting the Isles in Eatly November, i cannot wait i tried to get Opening night tickets to the Devils/Pens but it sold out in minutes, the devils never do that, i get devs playoff tickets the day of the game from the box office!

Spotnick wrote:

Church of the KLF wrote:

Spotnick wrote: The North East Division is IMHO the worst of them all... it's going to be tough.

Injuries will be the factor, although the Habs are the only team with a star goalie in his prime.

I predict we will finish 6th in the east, but roll the dice, anything can happen, I'm sure between 4 and 12, there will be less than 8 points.

The worst division? Even with the Habs, Sens and Leafs? The Bruins aren't great, but they aren't bad, either. I think the Southeast division is easily worst.

Or maybe I should be asking what you mean by "worst."

Worst division to win ;) Most difficult.

Sorry, bad translation ;)

Oh no no don't be sorry! I just didn't know exactly what you meant. It makes sense though. :)

I think the Atlantic Division is a competitive one, too. But you might be right - the Northeast Division is going to be a VERY tough one this year. The only "odd team out" is Buffalo. The other four are serious contenders.

Spotnick wrote: And Buffalo is full of youngsters that can surprise anybody anywhere...

Sure they lost Satan, but I'm not that sure it will have an impact.

Yes, they definitely have some good talent. But do you think they are a playoff team?

Church of the KLF wrote:

Spotnick wrote: And Buffalo is full of youngsters that can surprise anybody anywhere...

Sure they lost Satan, but I'm not that sure it will have an impact.

Yes, they definitely have some good talent. But do you think they are a playoff team?

No way is Buffalo a playoff team. Losing Satan and Zhitnik and replacing them with no one was not the most encouraging thing for Sabres fans. I think they'll be finishing in last this year in the NE Division.

i was able to watch Chicago/Minnesota Last night on my dish. i dont think either team dressed any star players, dwayne roloson and brial ralston were the only guys i really recognised, but it was an enjoyable game thay wern to o.t. which was great they called the blackhawks for 2 penalties in OT! the wild had 5 on 3 but couldnt score so it went to a legitimate shootout and in the hawks won it after 5 shooters. lesss than 2 weeks till the real thing!

Dan Delgado wrote:

Church of the KLF wrote:

Spotnick wrote: And Buffalo is full of youngsters that can surprise anybody anywhere...

Sure they lost Satan, but I'm not that sure it will have an impact.

Yes, they definitely have some good talent. But do you think they are a playoff team?

No way is Buffalo a playoff team. Losing Satan and Zhitnik and replacing them with no one was not the most encouraging thing for Sabres fans. I think they'll be finishing in last this year in the NE Division.

I absolutely agree.

frank smarra wrote: I Dunno who is still on the wings? lang? zetterburg? Stevie Y?

I read Osgood hurt his groin, i expect there will be a lot of injuries like that this season being that not everyone has played competitive hockey for more than a year.

i saw some highlights of crosby last night, this kid is good! he didnt score but he was putting himself in the clear with his skating and creating some exciting scoring chances.

Pens are Visiting the Isles in Eatly November, i cannot wait i tried to get Opening night tickets to the Devils/Pens but it sold out in minutes, the devils never do that, i get devs playoff tickets the day of the game from the box office!

Red Wings Roster

Lang, Zetterberg, Stevie Y, Shanahan, Maltby, Draper, etc are all still Wings forwards.

I can't wait to see the Pens play.

On Opening Night i will be constantly Switching between the Isles/Sabres game and the Devils and Pens!

frank smarra wrote: On Opening Night i will be constantly Switching between the Isles/Sabres game and the Devils and Pens!

I am extremely upset that there is no way for me to watch the games until December 22 on account of my being in Denmark. I can't believe it. But I scored tickets to see the Wings/Avs game (in Colorado) on February 4, so I'm pretty excited. I'm also going to see the Avs take on the Habs and Flames. I'm excited!

I wish I could watch those two games, as well. Go Isles and go Pens!

frank smarra wrote: On Opening Night i will be constantly Switching between the Isles/Sabres game and the Devils and Pens!

Ah, I'm not sure if my cable company offers Center Ice. After having the Dish for the last few years I took that sort thing for granted. Now I may be stuck with OLN and going to bars to catch the Isles.

NHL.com's team preview got me thinking...How do you think the Phoenix Coyotes will do? The additions of Petr Nedved, Brett Hull, Curtis Joseph, Sean O'Donnell, Boyd Devereaux, Oleg Saprykin and Mike Ricci on the ice and Gretzky behind the bench are undoubtedly huge, but there are still huge question marks.

How good will Gretzky be as a coach? There is really no way to predict. He will certainly inspire his players, though. I can't imagine playing for Wayne Gretzky. Wow! But it remains to be seen how good a coach he will be.

Curtis Joseph is a BIG question mark in my mind. I was not happy with his play with the Wings, and frankly he will need to do a lot to convince me that he is not way past his prime. I just don't know that he can be a formidable starter in this league anymore. And things are only going to be tougher for goalies with the new rules. I have a feeling he might be kind of a bust, but who knows? He used to be ace.

I like Ricci, though. He's getting older but her always plays with a lot of heart and grit. He can score timely goals too. I like Nedved a lot but I don't know how well he's going to play. The new rule changes will be good for a player like him, at least. Brett Hull will probably be good for at least 20 or 30 goals, maybe more. His age is the only real concern - obviously he's one of the best goal scorers of all-time.

My prediction: 3rd or, perhaps more likely, 4th in the Pacific, missing the playoffs by only a few points.

i think its going to be hard to predict what teams will do, new rules, Mass Player Movement and the injuries that are sure to occur makes this year hard to call. hell the predators could win the cup this year!

the one team that i think will definetly be contenders for the cup are The Flames, they got basically the same team, they are built for the rule changes and they have strengthened their D

teams that have no chance:Rangers, Leafs & Atlanta(Unless they Sign Kovalchuk)

i would love to see the isles do it but i think they need to get stronger on the Blueline, upfront if yashin delivers they will be fine