HOCKEY IS BACK!!!

The Rangers are really the surprise but I think it's a bit too early to tell if they will be able to keep it up. I think 20 games in will be a more accurate measurement.

That said I like Ottawa and Vancouver as the class of the league so far. Yeah Pittsburgh is a disappointment so far but I think teams that have a lot of new faces need more time to gel.

Overall the I think the new NHL is is fantastic. Shootouts, odd man rushes, offense. All things this sport needed. My personal favorite rule change is the elimination of the red line.

well i am happy!, the isles beat the Rags yet again, Despite the Jagr Hat-Trick. the ilsnaders cam eout Stron With 3 Gaols in 2:47! The Rick wasnt as Dominant as he was in the Prior game but was still Pretty Good, looks like weekes may have lost his starting job, and Rightfully so because Lunquist has looked great for the rangers as of late. but the win propells the ISles to 2nd place in their division 2 pts behind the rangers, so saturday its the Isles Vs. Les Canadiens. hopefully the islanders wont go flat, they usually do after Victories against the rangers, plus Montreal is a really good team.

frank smarra wrote: well i am happy!, the isles beat the Rags yet again, Despite the Jagr Hat-Trick. the ilsnaders cam eout Stron With 3 Gaols in 2:47! The Rick wasnt as Dominant as he was in the Prior game but was still Pretty Good, looks like weekes may have lost his starting job, and Rightfully so because Lunquist has looked great for the rangers as of late. but the win propells the ISles to 2nd place in their division 2 pts behind the rangers, so saturday its the Isles Vs. Les Canadiens. hopefully the islanders wont go flat, they usually do after Victories against the rangers, plus Montreal is a really good team.

Saturday is going to be tough. But if the Isles can put together 60 solid minutes of hockey they should be able to beat anyone. Of course getting those 60 minutes is always the problem.

Panthers-Ottawa game postponed until Dec. 5th or so because of Hurricane Wilma. Which is lame since the damn thing won't be here until Monday night anyway! They just wanted to piss me off since I have tickets that night.

Dan Delgado wrote:

frank smarra wrote: well i am happy!, the isles beat the Rags yet again, Despite the Jagr Hat-Trick. the ilsnaders cam eout Stron With 3 Gaols in 2:47! The Rick wasnt as Dominant as he was in the Prior game but was still Pretty Good, looks like weekes may have lost his starting job, and Rightfully so because Lunquist has looked great for the rangers as of late. but the win propells the ISles to 2nd place in their division 2 pts behind the rangers, so saturday its the Isles Vs. Les Canadiens. hopefully the islanders wont go flat, they usually do after Victories against the rangers, plus Montreal is a really good team.

Saturday is going to be tough. But if the Isles can put together 60 solid minutes of hockey they should be able to beat anyone. Of course getting those 60 minutes is always the problem.

Panthers-Ottawa game postponed until Dec. 5th or so because of Hurricane Wilma. Which is lame since the damn thing won't be here until Monday night anyway! They just wanted to piss me off since I have tickets that night.

How do you think the Panthers will do this year, Dan?

Also - I can't remember if I've told you this already - nice avatar! That's one of my favorite Hitchcocks.

The Colorado Avalanche decided not to pick up the options of Joe Sakic and Rob Blake after this season!!! Now, they are probably going to just try to renegotiate new extensions, but if that doesn't work, what on earth are they going to do? Trade them? Hard to imagine losing Adam Foote and Peter Forsberg one off-season and Joe Sakic and Rob Blake the next!!! They have some quality youngsters, but not too many of them. The cupboard will be looking mighty bare if they lose those two!

But that's a big "IF".

I did quite enjoy Hockey at school

Johnny wrote: I did quite enjoy Hockey at school

Church of the KLF wrote: The Colorado Avalanche decided not to pick up the options of Joe Sakic and Rob Blake after this season!!! Now, they are probably going to just try to renegotiate new extensions, but if that doesn't work, what on earth are they going to do? Trade them? Hard to imagine losing Adam Foote and Peter Forsberg one off-season and Joe Sakic and Rob Blake the next!!! They have some quality youngsters, but not too many of them. The cupboard will be looking mighty bare if they lose those two!

But that's a big "IF".

im Sure Sakic will resign, i have heard him say he wants to finish off his career with the Avs, imagine that his whole career with one organization? if it does happen im sure it will be the last time(unless Mike Milbury signs DiPietro to that 15 Year Contract) did you watch the game Saturday Nick? Well the Habs took it to them, if Satan Wasnt on Such a Hot Streak We Would have Lost 4-0

i think the rangers are running out of gas, havent looked good since the isles beat them (DiPietro) in the Shoot out going back to Weekes didnt help them either, Telquvist has played really well fo them and as for Jose if he was playing like he did the MVP Year the Habs Would be Undefeated, they are a fast Team and They score in Bunches

I'm pretty pleased with my Wings' back-to-back 6 goal games against the Blue Jackets in Columbus (giving up two goals tonight and NONE on Saturday). They are looking absolutely fantastic, even without Stevie Y. Legace just won the Defensive Player of the Week award, too. :D

It will be interesting to see how various teams' play changes or stays the same, now that October is nearly over. Some teams will slow down while others come together and improve their play, etc. I think the Rangers will probably lose steam and slow down a bit; same with the Predators. I finally take the Preds more seriously, but I still don't think they're an elite team just yet. But they might change my mind if they keep playing this way for several more months.

Also - trades. Certain teams are starting to get antsy (like the Oilers and the Avalanche) and are looking to shake things up. I am very curious to see what happens. I am looking for the Pens, Avs and Oilers to make some deals. I think that, in each city, continual poor play would go over particularly poorly with the fans. It's interesting because the Avalanche have never been a bad team while they've been in Denver; I'm curious to see how they react. And with all the hype about how great this Pens team was supposed to be, I think that if they don't start winning soon, the fans are going to become VERY disgruntled. I think the Oilers fans will grow unhappy if they don't start seeing better performances, as well. They have had high expectations heading into this season, what with the acquisition of Chris Pronger and all.

frank smarra wrote:

Church of the KLF wrote: The Colorado Avalanche decided not to pick up the options of Joe Sakic and Rob Blake after this season!!! Now, they are probably going to just try to renegotiate new extensions, but if that doesn't work, what on earth are they going to do? Trade them? Hard to imagine losing Adam Foote and Peter Forsberg one off-season and Joe Sakic and Rob Blake the next!!! They have some quality youngsters, but not too many of them. The cupboard will be looking mighty bare if they lose those two!

But that's a big "IF".

im Sure Sakic will resign, i have heard him say he wants to finish off his career with the Avs, imagine that his whole career with one organization? if it does happen im sure it will be the last time(unless Mike Milbury signs DiPietro to that 15 Year Contract) did you watch the game Saturday Nick? Well the Habs took it to them, if Satan Wasnt on Such a Hot Streak We Would have Lost 4-0

Let's not forget Steve Yzerman. Of course, this season will probably be his last, as well. You may be right about Sakic, although I could easily see him playing a couple of more seasons before calling it quits. He's off to a good start (9 points in 8 games, 3 of them goals), but who knows. If he can't play for Colorado, it is indeed possible that he would just retire. But I bet they will offer him a smaller contract, and if playing for the Avs means that much to him, I bet he will gladly accept a pay cut. Otherwise, he would be a much sought-after free agent, as would Rob Blake. I just hate to think about what Avs fans would do if their team lost Foote, Forsberg, Blake and SAKIC within about one calendar year. Things wouldn't be looking too bright for them since they don't have the best prospects in their farm system. But who knows - Pierre Lacroix has been known to make some huge deals when you least expect it. But it will be very difficult for him to deal his way into securing the Avs' future without better drafting. It might be a while before they are an elite team again.

What do you guys think about the Avalanche?

Oh, man. What a heartbreaker for the Pens tonight.

habs with the OT Win! Pens are really Dissapointing, and despite our Swiss Cheeze D, the islanders Won Again thanks to The Rick!, and the monster hot streak that Satan is Riding, Yashin played well too. Nick Aren't the Canadiens about Due for a Cup? they have won at least one in Every Decade since the 1920's i think? well it is still way too early to be thinking about that, it seem's like Hockey has been back for a while but it hasnt even been a month!?!

Spotnick wrote:

frank smarra wrote: habs with the OT Win! Pens are really Dissapointing, and despite our Swiss Cheeze D, the islanders Won Again thanks to The Rick!, and the monster hot streak that Satan is Riding, Yashin played well too. Nick Aren't the Canadiens about Due for a Cup? they have won at least one in Every Decade since the 1920's i think? well it is still way too early to be thinking about that, it seem's like Hockey has been back for a while but it hasnt even been a month!?!

Yeah, one every decade is true, but even though we have one of the biggest income of this league, the weakness of the canadian dollar up until 2 years ago was a serious issue in terms of having good players.

That's why you saw canadian teams packing up this year, the currency is 20 cents higher it was back 2 years ago, that's 20% more money for the payroll.

The Habs due for a cup? considering the competition, it would be a miracle. The Habs never managed to pass the 2nd round since they changed the playoff format to a conference thing instead of division... last time was '93 when we faced the Isles in 3rd round.

Anyways, in the league these days, I have high doubts the Habs will keep this decade thing.. we don't have Patrick Roy anymore, and Thédore is not to that level.

I think the Habs went a little further than the third round in 1993, Nic!:)

I personally think the Habs have a shot at winning the Cup in the next four seasons. They have a lot of good young talent and I think that they are already one of the better teams in the league. I think there's a decent shot at a Cup headed your way.:D

I remember '93 all too well, isles had a good run and where Hot and the habs made Quick work of them. how things change in '93 i loved islanders Rookie D man Darius Kasparaitis, now he is the enemy and i cant stand him, in fact a lot of our '93 team Became Rangers, Healey, Kasp, Ray Ferraro, Malakhov, Flatley, Pilon. '93 was also a big year for my All time Fav Doug Gilmour with the Leafs, especially that Series Against The Blues. Imagine Kerry Frasier Made that High Stick Call on Gretzky and the leafs won, it would have been the 1st Leaf's/Habs Final Since 1967, what Could have been, Montreal Would Have won anyway, Roy was unbeatable that season

Bertuzzi Returns to Denver tonight! Maybe brad may Will put a bounty on Todd's Head the Devils are in some Serious Trouble, Brodeur is Hurt! i havent heard how long but they are Struggling as it is, this cant be Good. and The Preds have Finally Lost.

in Other News i had an Assist last night in a 5-3 Victory Filling in on my Friends Roller Hockey Team at Chelsea Piers, just missed Opening the Scoring 2 Mins in, shot wide from the High Slot, the goalie Never saw it, but my aim was not true

I thought I'd resurrect this thread.

So what do you think of the two big trades recently, namely the Joe Thornton and Sergei Fedorov deals? Who won?

I think the Sharks absolutely got the better end of the Thornton deal. As everyone has been pointing out, the Bruins now lack a number one center, which is a huge, huge problem. Sturm and Stuart are good players and Primeau provides decent depth, but they aren't worth a superstar.

In terms of Fedorov, I can't decide. I love the guy and I think he's INCREDIBLY talented, but he's a moody player. He only turns it on when he wants to, and I think that that might only be when he really thinks he's on a good team. If he was back on the Red Wings, for instance, I bet he'd be playing great hockey right now. He will probably be a great fit with Rick Nash though, and that could potentially help the team tremendously. But thus far, he's done very little, although Nash hasn't returned. The jury's still out on this one.

Also, what are your general impressions thus far? The Senators look like the team to beat now that my beloved Wings have started to stumble. I know they're not out of it though.

So are the Flames for real? And the Rangers?

Church of the KLF wrote: I thought I'd resurrect this thread.

So what do you think of the two big trades recently, namely the Joe Thornton and Sergei Fedorov deals? Who won?

I think the Sharks absolutely got the better end of the Thornton deal. As everyone has been pointing out, the Bruins now lack a number one center, which is a huge, huge problem. Sturm and Stuart are good players and Primeau provides decent depth, but they aren't worth a superstar.

In terms of Fedorov, I can't decide. I love the guy and I think he's INCREDIBLY talented, but he's a moody player. He only turns it on when he wants to, and I think that that might only be when he really thinks he's on a good team. If he was back on the Red Wings, for instance, I bet he'd be playing great hockey right now. He will probably be a great fit with Rick Nash though, and that could potentially help the team tremendously. But thus far, he's done very little, although Nash hasn't returned. The jury's still out on this one.

Also, what are your general impressions thus far? The Senators look like the team to beat now that my beloved Wings have started to stumble. I know they're not out of it though.

So are the Flames for real? And the Rangers?

Doug MacLean has no idea what he's doing anymore. It's not a bad idea to finally get a real number one center in there and when Nash returns we'll see what happens.

Thornton is still only 27, can still improve, was the leader on that team. What a shocker that was. Still Boston didn't get totally fleeced on the deal, but it's hard to wonder what Mike O'Connell is thinking. Number one centers are pretty hard to come by these days.

The Flames are for real. The Rangers look like they'll break that playoff draught but if that happens I don't think they'd go very far.

I have a feeling we'll be seeing a few deals start shaking out soon. The Devils has to make room for Elias.

As for the Rangers, let's be honest here.. depends 100% on Jagr's mood.

watched the Rags play my Caps last night and I wondered if Jags & Co. took the night off....I mean a ranger D-man coughs up the puck and Ovechkin just lanches a smoooth wrister past Lundquvist....Alex is prolly the only reason I watch their games (I really want his jersey for Xmas-he is rather good)

The Bruins definitely didn't get fleeced, as Dan pointed out. It's not like they traded Thornton for Wayne Primeau and a 4th-round draft pick. But yes, it is hard to justify giving up a #1 center.

Also, I don't know that Thornton is necessarily overrated. He hasn't completely lived up to his potential yet, but he's having a great season so far, averaging well over a point a game. He really needs to step up his game in the playoffs though, and prove he can lead a team deep into the postseason.

So now the question is: where do the Sharks and Bruins go from here? What do you think?

I think that the Bruins were a vastly overrated team this preseason. As you may (or, perhaps more likely, may NOT) recall, I complained a few months back about how several websites had ranked them as a TOP FIVE team heading into the season. Obviously, they haven't played that way thus far, and I certainly don't think their fortunes are going to change that drastically after this trade. Heck, I don't even know if they're going to make the playoffs.

The Sharks. I don't know what to say about them. They are traditionally slow starters, but this is ridiculous. I think this trade will improve their team, and perhaps they will begin playing much better. I think they are definitely a team worthy of the playoffs if they can get it together and begin playing to their potential. Thornton should provide a scoring punch and give them a good 1-2 center combo (he and Patrick Marleau) that will also take some of the pressure off the latter. Plus, this should shake up the team. I think this will mean an improvement, as the Sharks should begin to crawl up into the top half of the Western conference. Even before the trade, that's where they belonged.

I dont know abou tthat one, thornton, although he hasnt lived up to the hype, still is a great player and they really didnt get all that much for him, i know he gets all the flack for them losing to the habs in the playoffs but he was injured and they they made him the scapegoat a change of scenary might make him work harder and help him to become the player that he was projected to be. lately i have been praying that the islanders 1) trade, waiver, kill.. Janne Niinnimma, i hate him he turns the puck over contantly and takes a lot of stupid penalties and 2) fire stever sterling, this guy is a pee wee coach who overplays his goalie, doesnt give young players a chance and just seems like he doesnt know his ass from his elbow, and finally 3) Fire Mike Milbury, we need a fresh start and its only a matter of Time before he pulls off another stupid deal to send young talent for useless players that do anyting (see oleg kvasha) imagine hat the isles could have had Chara, Spezza, Luongo, Heatly or gaborik, tim connolly, Raffi Torres, Eric Brewer, there are more another thing is here in the states without NHL on ESPN there is no hockey news, they took OLN of of my Satelite and all i see are the Isles, Rangers & Devils, i miss the colorad/detroit games they would show quite often on ESPN

frank smarra wrote: I dont know abou tthat one, thornton, although he hasnt lived up to the hype, still is a great player and they really didnt get all that much for him, i know he gets all the flack for them losing to the habs in the playoffs but he was injured and they they made him the scapegoat a change of scenary might make him work harder and help him to become the player that he was projected to be. lately i have been praying that the islanders 1) trade, waiver, kill.. Janne Niinnimma, i hate him he turns the puck over contantly and takes a lot of stupid penalties and 2) fire stever sterling, this guy is a pee wee coach who overplays his goalie, doesnt give young players a chance and just seems like he doesnt know his ass from his elbow, and finally 3) Fire Mike Milbury, we need a fresh start and its only a matter of Time before he pulls off another stupid deal to send young talent for useless players that do anyting (see oleg kvasha) imagine hat the isles could have had Chara, Spezza, Luongo, Heatly or gaborik, tim connolly, Raffi Torres, Eric Brewer, there are more another thing is here in the states without NHL on ESPN there is no hockey news, they took OLN of of my Satelite and all i see are the Isles, Rangers & Devils, i miss the colorad/detroit games they would show quite often on ESPN

It's amazing to think about all the incredible players the Isles have given up. It's a shame, really.

The Isles beat my Wings the other night! I was quite disappointed, but knew that you'd be pleased, Frank. Congrats!