Hockey Fans

[mechman]

Are there any other hockey fans here at the Shack? If so, what did you think of the draft?

[F1 fan]

Yes big Hockey fan.About the draft you Minnesotans are getting to good at our game.Nine US players taken in the first round is impressive.

[mechman]

We're practically a part of Canada anyways. There wasn't that big a crop of Minnesotans this year though. Only a couple in the first round. That first overall pick seems a bit small don't you think?

[F1 fan]

Kane is small but he is very skilled ,but it will interesting to see if he can overcome his size with his talent.Chicago needs a big boost so hopefully Kane and Johnathon Toewes can help them out in the near future.I think Pittsburgh made like bandits in the draft by getting Esposito 19th.The kid was ranked as high as #1st but was passed over by 18 teams.He should fit in nicely with Crosby, Stahl and Malkin.

[mechman]

Every time I looked at Chicago's roster I was amazed that with that much talent, they were awful. Didn't help them much that Havlat and Handzuis were hurt for a lot of the season.

Pittsburgh though, I see Lord Stanley spending a lot of time there in the near future. Crosby is by far the best player in the NHL in my mind. And then that supporting cast?!?!

I guess it all depends though. How does the league want to run the playoffs? Does SoCal need another Cup? Personally I thought the officiating was ridiculous this year. At the start they call everything and then they swallowed the peas in the playoffs so that the most penalized team in hockey can beat the tar out of everyone to the Cup. One minute the league wants to showcase talent and skill, the next it's about goon hockey.

Don't get me wrong, I love hockey either way. Just wish the league would pick one and stick with it. How many teams were being formed on speed and talent in the last couple years? Now they're all looking for size and grit. To me this is what's killing the NHL - no direction from the top.

mech

[JCD]

Shark Fan.. wondering why we draft so many goalies all the time. We got rid of Scheaffer (not a bad back up) and now Toskala (surely a starter) and then draft two with the draft picks we earned.

Sigh, I just hope Nabakov doesn't get hurt like he did last season. We'll be in a world of hurt if he does.

JCD

[F1 fan]

mechman wrote:

Didn't help them much that Havlat and Handzuis were hurt for a lot of the season.

When he played in Ottawa Havlat played like he was injured half the time even when he wasn't.Very good skater and talented but sometimes he lacks desire.

Pittsburgh though, I see Lord Stanley spending a lot of time there in the near future. Crosby is by far the best player in the NHL in my mind. And then that supporting cast?!?!

What a turnaround this team has had.A couple of years ago they were in shambles but now they have the best young team and a new arena on the way.I agree I think if Mario is able to keep these guys together they could win a few cups.

Personally I thought the officiating was ridiculous this year.

Agreed.The refereeing needs to be more consistant.

I'm a Montreal fan and unfortunately the future looks like more of the same middle of the pack for next couple of years.Unless ofcoarse we can pry Joe Thornton away from those Sharks.

[mechman]

F1 fan wrote:

I'm a Montreal fan and unfortunately the future looks like more of the same middle of the pack for next couple of years.Unless ofcoarse we can pry Joe Thornton away from those Sharks.

Tell you what, sign Souray to a 4 year deal and I'll trade you Manny Fernandez for him straight up. You guys need a goalie don't you?

[JCD]

F1 fan wrote:

Unless ofcoarse we can pry Joe Thornton away from those Sharks.

How did Charleton Heston say it.. you'll have to pry him from our dead cold hands!

[F1 fan]

mechman wrote:

Tell you what, sign Souray to a 4 year deal and I'll trade you Manny Fernandez for him straight up. You guys need a goalie don't you?

Thanks but NO Thanks on the Manny.
We have the very capable Huet and I sure hope Gainey can sign Souray to a long term deal.Without him we would lose our highest goal scorer.I guess we are in trouble if a D man is your biggest goal getter.But to make available more cap room we will gladly give you Kovaslug(Kovalev) for a bag of used pucks.

[F1 fan]

JCD wrote:

How did Charleton Heston say it.. you'll have to pry him from our dead cold hands!

Yeh he's a keeper, him and Cheechoo make a dynamite combo
atleast until playoff time.

[mechman]

Schedule posted today. I'd like to say that I'm excited regarding the upcoming year, but I'm not. I'm starting to lose the faith in Mr. Riseborough.

[Anthony]

Hockey fan here. Got into it after I moved to Virginia, so I'm a Caps fan by default (so, so sorry). But I watch just about any game I can see in HD.

I also play goalie in a couple of inline and floor/deck hockey leagues locally.

That said, I am not versed enough in the NHL to contribute regarding the draft and what not, so carry on . . .

[mechman]

First two games of the season to be played in London, England. Can someone tell me the logic in that?!?!?! I could see Sweden or Finland, but England? Do they even have an olympic team?

Welcome to the thread Anthony and I'm sorry about you being a Caps fan...

Just kidding!

[mechman]

Two days and I'll be watching the Wild and the Wheels. I love hockey, but it's too early for me!

mech

[Anthony]

I work about 1/4 mile from the Caps practice facility, so I'm looking forward to seeing some of the training camp. I've missed that "musty ice" smell for far too long

[JCD]

mechman wrote:

Two days and I'll be watching the Wild and the Wheels. I love hockey, but it's too early for me!

mech

Too early!?!? I'm going the other way, FINALLY feels right to me.

And I sure hope we make it out of the second round. It's getting a bit frustrating going in with our record going into the playoffs to get killed in the second round.. again.

JCD