NHL 2005-2006: The thread

[MountainHawk]

Don't encourage him!

Reply #1000!

[Wannabe Actuary]

oh come on, that was funny

[MountainHawk]

Maybe, but the funny/not funny ratio is way too low. ;-)

[Wannabe Actuary]

Maybe, but the funny/not funny ratio is way too low. ;-)
I don't try to be funny that often

[Wannabe Actuary]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=548&hubname=

finally, TSN, bumps philly down...although they bumped them too far I think (down from 2nd to 14th)

[MountainHawk]

TSN power rankings are just a sum of the player rankings they calculate. If they did the team calculations on a day when both Forsberg AND Gagne were out, then it makes sense. Otherwise, it's just more of TSN's nonsense. (The whole concept is nonsense, really, because they say they are trying to replicate who would win a neutral seven game series, but then say they use player by player rankings.

[MountainHawk]

From www.sportsnetwork.com


Time for the Penguins to skip town


Matt Canamucio, NHL Editor

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - When Mellon Arena opened its doors as Civic Arena in 1961, its purpose was to serve as the home of the Civic Light Opera. With a retractable roof that could open in two minutes, it was viewed as a world class entertainment facility that could host a variety of events.

However, it wasn't necessarily designed and built with the National Hockey League in mind. Especially not the NHL of the 21st Century.

In this age of luxury boxes and arena amenities, the Pittsburgh Penguins are stuck in a dinosaur structure that ranks as the oldest and smallest in the league. Buildings that were erected after Mellon Arena -- the Spectrum in Philadelphia and the Great Western Forum in LA to name two -- are still standing but have been replaced by sparkling new homes for the clubs they once housed.


The Pittsburgh Penguins are stuck in a dinosaur structure that ranks as the oldest and smallest in the league.
Of course, the folks funding the arenas in Philly and LA believed that the money was worth spending. Both cities had two -- in Los Angeles' case three -- tenants in need of indoor facilities, whereas Pittsburgh has only one. And that single tenant hasn't proven to be a viable investment that can sustain fan support in both good times and bad.

Basically, it isn't worth it for the city, county or state that the Pens reside in to gamble that Pittsburgh will suddenly become a hockey hotbed because of a few private suites and club boxes.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the team's last hope at remaining in the Steel City could be gambling. The Penguins are attempting to secure the slots license for downtown Pittsburgh, and the revenue generated would in turn be used for a new arena. According to the paper, the license is not expected to be awarded until late next year.

When the Penguins won the right to select phenom Sidney Crosby in this past summer's draft, many believed he would be their ticket to a new building. Much like Eric Lindros' presence helped allow the Philadelphia Flyers to move forward with their current home in the early-mid 1990s.

Of course, even with Crosby in the fold, that doesn't minimize the point that Pittsburgh, with the exception of its love for the Steelers, hasn't proven itself as a big-time pro sports town. It's why the NBA has stayed away and why the Pittsburgh Pirates play in front of sparse crowds at a ballpark less than five years old.

The Post-Gazette stated that the Penguins, even with the NHL's new economic structure, are looking at losses of roughly $7 million this season -- if they come close to selling out most games and make it to the second round of the playoffs. What will those numbers look like if attendance wanes and the team misses the postseason yet again?

You hate to see any team in the record books as a two-time Stanley Cup champion have to pack its bags and move to a new city, but when the situation warrants it must happen.

I'm sure the governing bodies who the team trying to get money from are looking at similar situations when making their decisions. St. Louis is a prime example of why not to build a new arena in Pittsburgh. The Savvis Center, which was built in the mid-90s, has lost so much money that owners Bill and Nancy Laurie placed it and the Blues up for sale in June. The Lauries were unable to attract an NBA team to the Gateway City, leaving the arena with one big-time tenant and a huge amount of past and projected losses.

In November, of course, the president of the entertainment company that will manage Kansas City's Sprint Center, which opens in 2007, began his campaign to bring the Penguins to Missouri. As of last month, 60 of the 72 luxury boxes in the future arena had been spoken for at a cost of $110,000 to $115,000. Such guaranteed revenue could be very enticing for the Penguins if they're in the same situation a year from now.

One thing is for sure. Something has to give. Crosby could score a ton of goals with the Penguins, but it won't matter a bit if the team continues to lose money. The new collective bargaining agreement was created as medicine for financially-strapped clubs like Pittsburgh, but the best elixir might be a fresh start somewhere else.

[seabass]

I read that Houston, Kansas City, and Winnipeg are in the mix, and you can't talk about a moving sports team without mentioning Las Vegas. Personally, I'd love to see the Jets back in the mix, but the "Hockey in the South" experiment seems to have worked for a bunch of teams.

Post #311, so I must quote Scott Stapp before his drunken battle a week or two ago: "311, I am ready to fight."

[DoctorNo]

Dan Cloutier, torn ACL, remainder of regular season:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20051213_174651_5516

Coincidentally, Patrick Lalime makes about the same in salary as Cloutier. It's time for some wild speculation! :)

[Irish Blues]

Dan Cloutier, torn ACL, remainder of regular season:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20051213_174651_5516

Coincidentally, Patrick Lalime makes about the same in salary as Cloutier. It's time for some wild speculation! :)
Lalime accepted his assignment to Peoria (AHL). The Blues won't be bringing him back up unless they just have no one left to play in net, and I think he'd have to clear recall waivers to come back up for Vancouver even if the Canucks traded for him while he was still at Peoria.

I saw the report from 2001 saying the Penguins needed a new arena b/c Mellon Arena couldn't be adapted for much cheaper than a new arena - and even then it still wouldn't get the place back to the same standards that modern arenas possess.

There's a couple of reasons that the Blues have lost so much money on their arena. Part of it is because when the bonds were first issued, Civic Progress (the owners of the team at the time) intended to pay the bonds off in 10 years. They sold 4 years later, when not much principal had been paid off. Enter Bill Laurie, who refinanced the bonds to be paid off in 30 years. 6 years later - yep, you guessed it - not much principal has been paid off. The Blues are also responsible for all maintenance at the arena and pay a 12.8% ticket tax courtesy of the city - by far the highest tax of any professional sports team in North America.

The Rams have the same tax, but part of it goes toward maintenance of the Edward Jones Dome. The Cardinals also have the same tax, but part of it will go toward paying off the new stadium. The Blues? Nope - they're stuck paying the full tax and getting nothing to show for it. They also don't get any of the parking revenue from the garage attached to the arena, they *do* at least get the revenue from concessions and in-arena advertising.

[JustASix]

I just came from the Wings Thrashers game. Can I just say I love the new NHL. What a game. 6-2 starting the third and the Wings tie it up in 10 min. They lost 7-6, but it was a lot of fun. I will definitely start going to more games now.

[Uncle Larry]

I read that Houston, Kansas City, and Winnipeg are in the mix, and you can't talk about a moving sports team without mentioning Las Vegas. Personally, I'd love to see the Jets back in the mix, but the "Hockey in the South" experiment seems to have worked for a bunch of teams.

Post #311, so I must quote Scott Stapp before his drunken battle a week or two ago: "311, I am ready to fight."Winnipeg won't get a team. They just build a brand new arena for the Manitoba Moose, it's a beauty but it only holds about 15,000. No way the NHL will send a team to a city that can only sell 15,000 tickets to a game. I can't imagine Kansas City with a hockey team. I would have said the same for Houston except Dallas has been a pretty successful market. Houston being a bigger city, with teams in the other 3 major sports could work. They also have an AHL team that seems to do alright as far as I know, I don't know what the Rockets arena is like though.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Rangers lose 3-2, but Prucha scores 2 goals...man's on fire.

[MountainHawk]

Flyers win 3-1 in a ho-hum type of game, and I think pass the Rangers in terms of winning percentage again. Columbus had about minutes of 5 on 3 power plays in the 2nd period, and the Flyers won the period 1-0.

[Wannabe Actuary]

NYR 20-9-4
PHI 18-7-4

[MountainHawk]

Yup ... only need to go 2-2 in the four games in hand to catch the Rangers, which the Flyers are more than on pace for.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Yup ... only need to go 2-2 in the four games in hand to catch the Rangers, which the Flyers are more than on pace for.
look at most recent 10 though
NYR 7-2-1
PHI 6-3-1

more recently, due to Philly injuries the rangers are on a better pace

[MountainHawk]

Right, but look at the most recent games with Forsberg back. There is no doubt who drives the Flyers offense, and most of the Flyers last ten was without him (and yet they went 6-3-1).

[Wannabe Actuary]

and the Rangers just lost last night yet
they're 9-2-1 in their last 12

yes, Forsberg is back, but Gagne is out. So you have your assist man back, but lost your goal scorer.

[hardinda]

tonight is a matchup of 2 of the hottest teams in the NHL.

"No Goal" Dallas Stars @ Buffalo Sabres

President Bill Clinton in attendence (Sabres owner is running for Governor of NY and invited Clinton, who knows? I think Tom G. is a republican - even more confusing)

Sabres have won 11 of their last 13 and only lost in regulation 1. I think the stars have won 9 out of their last 10. Should be an entertaining game.

[MountainHawk]

Forsberg can socre too... see last night's highlights. And anyone that Forsberg is passing too can score. I think he has 2 G, 2 A or something like that since being back.

[Mike and Maddog]

Flyers win 3-1 in a ho-hum type of game, and I think pass the Rangers in terms of winning percentage again. Columbus had about minutes of 5 on 3 power plays in the 2nd period, and the Flyers won the period 1-0.

Another post about a flyer win. how predictable.

Against lowly columbus. big deal. it's not like they have one of the top home records.

[Uncle Larry]

Another post about a flyer win. how predictable.

Against lowly columbus. big deal. it's not like they have one of the top home records.How did Pittsburgh make out against the bottom feeding Blues last night?

[Mike and Maddog]

How did Pittsburgh make out against the bottom feeding Blues last night?

One bottom feeder beats another at home. So what?

[seabass]

How did Pittsburgh make out against the bottom feeding Blues last night?

Is he a Pens fan? I can never tell since every post in this thread has been about hounding MH.

Couple of things: Prucha isn't even the best rookie on his team. Okay, maybe an overstatement, but I give the edge to Lundqvist for the numbers he's put up as a rookie goaltender. This should be an intense ROY race, since Crosby has been pretty quiet lately, and the pro-Ovechkin/Phaneuf/Svatos contingent is growing quickly. Shame I don't get to see much West Coast hockey, so I haven't seen what Phaneuf and Svatos can do.

Jason Blake is out with what looks to be a concussion. Tough to swallow just as an Islander fan, but it might impact his chances of making the US Olympic squad if he can't return to form when he comes back. He's a great energy guy, and just about the only top 2 line forward who consistently plays hard out there on this team. Hopefully he gets better soon.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Prucha vs Henrik
depends if Prucha and/or Lundqvist can keep it up. if one fades or lights it up for a while, it could change things.

Henrik is in the top 5 for GAA, so yeah, that's HUGE. If Prucha can keep lighting it up like he is, he'll move up the scoring list quickly.

[Wannabe Actuary]

note, Prucha is tied for 13th with goals IIRC

[Wannabe Actuary]

and Lundqvist is 3rd in GAA

[MountainHawk]

Is he a Pens fan? I can never tell since every post in this thread has been about hounding MH.

Couple of things: Prucha isn't even the best rookie on his team. Okay, maybe an overstatement, but I give the edge to Lundqvist for the numbers he's put up as a rookie goaltender. This should be an intense ROY race, since Crosby has been pretty quiet lately, and the pro-Ovechkin/Phaneuf/Svatos contingent is growing quickly. Shame I don't get to see much West Coast hockey, so I haven't seen what Phaneuf and Svatos can do.

Jason Blake is out with what looks to be a concussion. Tough to swallow just as an Islander fan, but it might impact his chances of making the US Olympic squad if he can't return to form when he comes back. He's a great energy guy, and just about the only top 2 line forward who consistently plays hard out there on this team. Hopefully he gets better soon.
Did you see the shot of Blake as they were bring him off the ice. Man ... he looked gone.

[astudent]

Winnipeg won't get a team. They just build a brand new arena for the Manitoba Moose, it's a beauty but it only holds about 15,000. No way the NHL will send a team to a city that can only sell 15,000 tickets to a game. I can't imagine Kansas City with a hockey team. I would have said the same for Houston except Dallas has been a pretty successful market. Houston being a bigger city, with teams in the other 3 major sports could work. They also have an AHL team that seems to do alright as far as I know, I don't know what the Rockets arena is like though.
The Toyota Center is pretty nice, although not as nice as the American Airlines center in Dallas. It is a fairly new arena. It would be awesome if Houston got an NHL team. Dallas is too far away.

[Uncle Larry]

One bottom feeder beats another at home. So what?How many goals did Pittsburgh score against St. Louis' 8th string goalie?

[MountainHawk]

On the subject of that game, nice call by OLN to choose that one. Although they did have the chance to talk about how the league hopes really hopes the two teams on the ice tonight won't be playing in new cities in 2 years.

[Mike and Maddog]

How many goals did Pittsburgh score against St. Louis' 8th string goalie?

Wait, let me look it up.

Answer: zero.

[GefilteFish144]

Prucha vs Henrik
depends if Prucha and/or Lundqvist can keep it up. if one fades or lights it up for a while, it could change things.

Henrik is in the top 5 for GAA, so yeah, that's HUGE. If Prucha can keep lighting it up like he is, he'll move up the scoring list quickly.

When it comes to evaluating players I'd take a goaltender over a goal scorer any day, especially this year when scoring has increased. Jagr was with the Rangers before the strike and they sucked. Lundqvist joins the team, they are in first. Meanwhile Crosby and Ovechkin's teams are in the cellar.

[seabass]

Did you see the shot of Blake as they were bring him off the ice. Man ... he looked gone.

You should have seen him as they picked him up. I was thinking "well this is good, at least it's definitely not a neck injury... wait, he looks REALLY bad".

[seabass]

When it comes to evaluating players I'd take a goaltender over a goal scorer any day, especially this year when scoring has increased. Jagr was with the Rangers before the strike and they sucked. Lundqvist joins the team, they are in first. Meanwhile Crosby and Ovechkin's teams are in the cellar.

Jagr has also benefited from the new rules, and the Rangers stopped paying for a superstar team and started building a strong young team. Pens are an incomplete team, and Ovechkin has pretty much no help around him.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Jagr has also benefited from the new rules, and the Rangers stopped paying for a superstar team and started building a strong young team. Pens are an incomplete team, and Ovechkin has pretty much no help around him.
very true with Jagr and the Rangers. it's not just the goalie. In fact, Weekes is 8-4-1, Lundqvist is 12-5-3...so they're both playing well.

dumping the overpaid, over the hill, used to be superstars was huge.

as of right now, I'd take Lundqvist, but hey, Prucha might turn out to be a 50+ goal scorer in a few years, which is nothing to pass up on either

[MountainHawk]

The guy gets hot for a couple of weeks now he's a 50 goal scorer?

[Wannabe Actuary]

The guy gets hot for a couple of weeks now he's a 50 goal scorer?
read again....MIGHT....IN A COUPLE YEARS
:shake:
hey, it could happen. given the current rules, and the rate he's going at.
15 goals in 27 games as a rookie...that's a 45-46 goal a season pace (if 27 games had been played and 55 remained - the team has played more than 27 and less than 55 remain). So yeah, I think in a few years, it IS possible, but I'm in no way saying it's a sure thing

[MountainHawk]

Jon Sim might be a fifty goal scorer too. Did Brent Fedyk hit 50 the year he played with Lindros and Recchi?

It's silly to put any sort of number on potential future goals. The kid has finishing talent, for sure, but the rule could change again or he could get traded to a team with no help, and he ends up languishing. There is so much doubt about a rookie's future ... just say he has the talent to be a top notch finisher and leave it at that.

[seabass]

What happened to Jon Sim anyway?

[MountainHawk]

He's on the flyers now ... mainly a 3rd line player. Works hard, but just doesn't quite have the knack to score a ton. He's temporarily on the first line while Gagne is out ... so look for him to pick up a few points as Forsberg bounces pucks off him into the net.

[DoctorNo]

:shake:

Shaking your head at him isn't going to make you right about this.

[Uncle Larry]

The problem with Prucha is that he's 160 pounds. Look for him to have an injury filled career.

[Wannabe Actuary]

LaFountaine was LISTED at 180
Pavel Bure LISTED at 192
prucha will bulk up a bit, but yeah, injuries are likely to happen

[Uncle Larry]

Prucha is LISTED at 160, what's your point?

PS Bure and LaFontaine had their careers end prematurely because of injury.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Prucha is LISTED at 160, what's your point?

PS Bure and LaFontaine had their careers end prematurely because of injury.
yeah, and that's why I'm agreeing with you that it's likely to happen

[Wannabe Actuary]

I looked up the weights of the two smallest players I could recall. It also happens that they had short careers thanks to injury.

[Uncle Larry]

Who were they, Doug Smail and someone?

[Wannabe Actuary]

Who were they, Doug Smail and someone?
it was in reference to pavel and pat...
sheesh, I agree with you and I get ripped on

[Wannabe Actuary]

note, Doug Smail was last in the NHL when I was ten...and with 4 goals that season according to hockeydb.com it's not a name a 10 year old would remember, unless perhaps they were a fan of the senators, which I wasn't

[Uncle Larry]

I'm 24 and I remember Doug Smail. I thought you meant you looked up small guys after you looked up Pavel and Pat. There are a lot of guys smaller than them.

[GefilteFish144]

Prucha is LISTED at 160, what's your point?

PS Bure and LaFontaine had their careers end prematurely because of injury.

LaFontaine's career ended b/c of concussions, but then again same could be said for Lindros. Size doesn't matter when it comes to head injuries.

[DoctorNo]

note, Doug Smail was last in the NHL when I was ten...and with 4 goals that season according to hockeydb.com it's not a name a 10 year old would remember, unless perhaps they were a fan of the senators, which I wasn't

That's obvious. You've already admitted in this thread that you don't even know where Ottawa is.

[MountainHawk]

That's obvious. You've already admitted in this thread that you don't even know where Ottawa is.
Everyone knows where <insert Canadian city name> is. It's not quite the end of the world, but you can see it from there!!

[hardinda]

Great game last night. Sabres pull it out for their 8th str8 win. Biron has won 11 in a row. How many teams are kicking themselves for not giving up a 1st rounder for him earlier this year?

[Uncle Larry]

St. Louis.

[MountainHawk]

Standings on 12/15/2005:



Team W L OT Pts Win% AW% GF GPG GA GAA
Atlantic Division
NYR 20 9 4 44 .667 .605 105 3.18 82 2.48
PHI 18 7 4 40 .690 .626 110 3.79 92 3.17
NYI 15 13 2 32 .533 .484 96 3.20 102 3.40
NJD 14 12 4 32 .533 .484 91 3.03 98 3.27
PIT 8 17 6 22 .355 .322 82 2.65 125 4.03
Northeast Division
OTT 22 4 2 46 .821 .745 124 4.43 59 2.11
BUF 20 10 1 41 .661 .600 102 3.29 98 3.16
MTL 16 8 5 37 .638 .579 85 2.93 89 3.07
TOR 16 12 3 35 .565 .512 102 3.29 97 3.13
BOS 10 15 6 26 .419 .380 93 3.00 107 3.45
Southeast Division
CAR 19 9 2 40 .667 .605 110 3.67 98 3.27
TBY 17 11 3 37 .597 .541 98 3.16 94 3.03
ATL 12 16 4 28 .438 .397 113 3.53 123 3.84
FLA 10 18 4 24 .375 .340 82 2.56 108 3.38
WSH 10 17 2 22 .379 .344 83 2.86 115 3.97
Central Division
DET 21 9 2 44 .688 .624 121 3.78 86 2.69
NSH 18 7 3 39 .696 .632 83 2.96 79 2.82
CHI 12 15 2 26 .448 .407 81 2.79 102 3.52
CLB 9 21 0 18 .300 .272 58 1.93 106 3.53
STL 6 17 4 16 .296 .269 76 2.81 106 3.93
Northwest Division
VAN 19 9 2 40 .667 .605 98 3.27 85 2.83
CGY 18 9 4 40 .645 .585 75 2.42 73 2.35
EDM 16 11 4 36 .581 .527 94 3.03 91 2.94
COL 16 12 3 35 .565 .512 117 3.77 104 3.35
MIN 12 14 4 28 .467 .423 81 2.70 74 2.47
Pacific Division
DAL 19 8 1 39 .696 .632 97 3.46 80 2.86
LAK 18 13 1 37 .578 .524 107 3.34 93 2.91
PHX 16 13 2 34 .548 .497 89 2.87 81 2.61
ANA 14 13 5 33 .516 .468 87 2.72 86 2.69
SJS 13 12 4 30 .517 .469 88 3.03 95 3.28


Winning percentage is Points / (GP *2)
Adjusted winning percentage is Points / (GP * 2.2), because there has been an average of 2.2 earned in the NHL per game played.

Team Statistics:


Top 5 Offenses:

1. OTT 4.43
2. PHI 3.79
3. DET 3.78
3. COL 3.77
5. CAR 3.67

Worst 5 Offenses:

1. CLB 1.93
2. CAL 2.42
3. FLA 2.56
4. PIT 2.65
5. MIN 2.70

Top 5 Defenses:

1. OTT 2.11
2. CAL 2.35
3. MIN 2.47
4. NYR 2.48
5. PHX 2.61

Worst 5 Defenses:

1. PIT 4.03
2. WSH 3.97
3. STL 3.93
4. ATL 3.84
5. CLB 3.53

Top 5 Power Plays:

1. DET 26.8%
2. TOR 21.7%
3. OTT 21.2%
4. BUF 21.1%
5. ATL 20.6%

Worst 5 Power Plays:

1. CLB 12.1%
2. WSH 12.6%
3. STL 14.7%
4. LAK 14.7%
5. CHI 14.7%

Top 5 Penalty Kills:

1. MIN 88.7%
2. NYR 87.3%
3. OTT 86.4%
4. NSH 85.7%
5. DET 84.6%

Worst 5 Penalty Kills:

1. WSH 77.7%
2. ATL 77.7%
3. PHI 78.0%
4. CAR 78.7%
5. FLA 79.4%

Most Penalized (PIM per game)

1. CHI 21.93
2. NSH 20.64
3. DAL 19.89
4. OTT 19.89
5. WSH 19.56

Least Penalized (PIM per game)

1. TBY 11.58
2. NJD 12.27
3. SJS 12.45
4. BUF 12.52
5. CAR 13.67



Individual Statistics:



Goals

1. Gagne 23
Jagr 23
3. Alfredsson 21
4. Staal 21
5. Heatley 20

Assists

1. Thornton 34
2. Forsberg 32
Spezza 32
4. Savard 30
5. McCabe 28

Points

1. Jagr 50
2. Thornton 45
3. Alfredsson 44
Heatley 44
5. Spezza 43
Savard 43

PIM

1. Avery 108
2. Hordichuk 85
2. Witt 78
4. Chara 78
3. Ott 73

Rookie Points

1. Ovechkin 34
1. Crosby 31
3. Svatos 29
4. Vanek 21
5. Steen 20
Boyes 20


GAA

1. Hasek 1.99
2. Fernandez 2.01
3. Lundqvist 2.11
4. Kiprusoff 2.14
4. Legace 2.21

Save Percentage

1. Fernandez 93.3%
2. Hasek 93.2%
3. Roloson 92.7%
4. Lundqvist 92.7%
5. Joseph 92.4%



League Wide Stats

Goals per game: 6.229
Points awarded per game: 2.205
Number of shutouts: 31
Number of OT games: 93
Number of shootouts: 47
Percentage of Games ending in regulation: 79.5%
Percentage of OT Games ending before shootout: 49.5%
Percentage of games ending in shootout: 10.4%

Shootout Statistics

Games in shootout: 47
Shots taken: 325
Goals scored: 105
Shootout save percentage: 67.7%

Penalty Statistics


Penalties per team per game
Mnth Min Maj Mis Tot
Oct 7.11 0.40 0.10 7.61
Nov 6.36 0.40 0.13 6.89
Dec 6.67 0.29 0.09 7.04


Penalties per game, Home team: 7.10
Penalties per game, road team: 7.28

[MountainHawk]

Added some penalty statistics this month.

[DoctorNo]

:yikes:

Nice work!

[hardinda]

Board of Governors mtg this week and penalties are on the rise again. One thing I have noticed is that high sticks drawing blood seem to be way down this year. I can't recall very many at all. I think it's b/c of the crackdown of hooking, alot of high sticks were caused from a hook that slid up the arm into the face.

[MountainHawk]

High sticks definitely seem down, but when I do see them, it almost seems like it's always 4 minutes.

[Irish Blues]

St. Louis.
Our luck, Keith Allain would have screwed him up much like he seems to have screwed up every Blues goalie since he joined the organ-i-zation since 1998.

And we'd have finished dead last and won the lottery, and Buffalo would have the #1 overall pick.

[hardinda]

Sounds like Vancouver is interested in Biron (toronto sun article) (http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Hockey/2005/12/15/1354102-sun.html). Won't be cheap now. Hmmm, what could we get for a goalie who has won 11 straight????

[MountainHawk]

What would Buffalo be looking for? I bet you could get a 2nd tier defenseman and a 2nd rounder for him right now.

[Uncle Larry]

I forgot to post this morning, surprised no one else did. Pens fire Olczeck or however you spell it. It's about freakin' time. When they hired him they were a young team not really trying to compete. Now that they are they needed to bring in someone with some experience.

[Uncle Larry]

I guess I should mention they hired Michel Therrien from their AHL affiliate as his replacement. I really liked Therrien when he was with Montreal. I think this could really help the Pens out.

[hardinda]

What would Buffalo be looking for? I bet you could get a 2nd tier defenseman and a 2nd rounder for him right now.

I think they would combine Biron+a player for a draft pick and a solid 1st or 2nd tier defenseman. I doubt any move will be made until after Miller proves he is healthy.

[MountainHawk]

Richards out with a concussion on a brutally late hit (not called) by Brookbank.

This is the song that never ends ...

[DoctorNo]

Richards out with a concussion on a brutally late hit (not called) by Brookbank.

He probably learned it from his teammate, good ol' number forty-four.

[MountainHawk]

Flyers fans booing Bertuzzi everytime he touches the puck

[DoctorNo]

Flyers fans booing Bertuzzi everytime he touches the puck

I was actually about to post that. Speaking as a Pepsi Center die-hard, it's good to hear!

[Super Silver Haze]

I was actually about to post that. Speaking as a Pepsi Center die-hard, it's good to hear!
They're going to make Elisha Cuthbert cry, though.

[DoctorNo]

They're going to make Elisha Cuthbert cry, though.

That's Sean Avery's girl. Don't ask me why. :shake:

[DoctorNo]

Speaking of which, Sean Avery is LISTED at 185. :spnner:

[MountainHawk]

Carter missing most of this game with a cut on the ear ... just too many injuries right now, the Flyers look slow and worn out. 52 stitches for Carter ... ouch.

[DoctorNo]

Matt Cooke and Peter Forsberg go back a ways. Even with the Avs, Forsberg always seemed willing to respond to Cooke's antics.

[MountainHawk]

52 stitches on the ear ... is there room for that?

[DoctorNo]

I had forty on my ear once - it was all the way up the back of my right ear, and then along the top.

And the best part is - after six years, no more scar!

[Irish Blues]

Speaking of which, Sean Avery is LISTED at 185. :spnner:
Maybe when she's on top of him.

[MountainHawk]

Image I didn't need to think about ...

[DoctorNo]

Image I didn't need to think about ...

Completely off-topic, but in the same category: during a Denver radio interview with a FOX sports producer today, it was revealed that a movie is coming out soon in which Terry Bradshaw has a love scene with Kathy Bates. :yikes: :yikes: :yikes:

[Irish Blues]

Completely off-topic, but in the same category: during a Denver radio interview with a FOX sports producer today, it was revealed that a movie is coming out soon in which Terry Bradshaw has a love scene with Kathy Bates. :yikes: :yikes: :yikes:
:exams: :exams: :exams:

As long as she stays clothed this time.

[MountainHawk]

Flyers lose 5-4. Esche prolly lost the job as starter, which I suspect will cost him his spot on the USOT. God awful performance tonight for him. The Phantoms will hopefully pick up the win against the Blues on Saturday (sorry Irish Blues), but Buffalo is going to be tough to do much against with the entire world out on the IR.

[DoctorNo]

which I suspect will cost him his spot on the USOT.

I think that he's been third on the team (behind Miller and DiPietro in some order), and I don't think that tonight's game changes that.

Who would replace him? I still think he's got a better shot than John Grahame, unless Peter Laviolette decides to play a goaltender in his own division instead of letting him rest for two weeks. :)

[DoctorNo]

For the history buffs / Flyers fans out there:

http://hockeygoalies.org/articles/lindbergh_851111.html
http://hockeygoalies.org/articles/lindbergh_851112.html
http://hockeygoalies.org/articles/lindbergh_851113.html

All articles on Pelle Lindbergh's tragic and untimely death. I actually started to tear up when I was transcribing these - it's amazing how quickly it can end. :(

[Uncle Larry]

Richards out with a concussion on a brutally late hit (not called) by Brookbank.

This is the song that never ends ...I know the Flyers have piles of injuries and it's frustrating but did you watch a replay of the hit? Richards had the break, the rebound came right back to him, his momentum carried him behind the net, and the puck was on his stick, and he turned around to center the puck when Brookbank hit him. It was a perfectly clean hit, Richards was just off balance and in the "danger zone"...about 3 feet from the boards. There is absolutely no way it was a late hit. Maybe when you saw it you didn't see him pick up the puck but he had it when Brookbank first made contact. No doubt about it. I've seen the replay on 3 channels and no one even mentioned that it could have possibly been a dirty hit.

[MountainHawk]

No, haven't seen the replay yet. Just based on the live reaction at the time. I thought the puck was well out of Richards reach at the time, but if you say it's not I'll try to find a replay and change my mind if he actually still had control.

[Irish Blues]

Flyers lose 5-4. Esche prolly lost the job as starter, which I suspect will cost him his spot on the USOT. God awful performance tonight for him. The Phantoms will hopefully pick up the win against the Blues on Saturday (sorry Irish Blues), but Buffalo is going to be tough to do much against with the entire world out on the IR.
Please. Beat the Blues. We're starting to make a run away from the #1 pick - at this rate we'll start playing better, management will decide to try and pick up players at the deadline for a playoff run, and we'll end up picking at 13 instead of 2.

[Mike and Maddog]

"The Canucks were 0-8-1 when trailing after two periods coming into the Wachovia Center last night. They exited the building with their first victory under those circumstances, a 5-4 triumph over the Flyers.

The Flyers blew three leads in the game."

"The Canucks were dealt a serious blow this week when goalie Dan Cloutier suffered torn knee ligaments. He will miss the remainder of the season. Alexander Auld, 24, with just 17 games of NHL experience, got the nod in goal last night."

Can't whine about injuries when the other team has an inexperienced goalie.

[DoctorNo]

Can't whine about injuries when the other team has an inexperienced goalie.

Auld's a top-tier young goaltender. In fact, most Canucks fans (at least those on HFBoards) seem to prefer him to Cloutier, not that that's saying a lot per se.

[DoctorNo]

Speaking of which, are you ever going to come forward and tell us who you support, M&M? You know, to even things up a bit.

[MountainHawk]

Robert Esche (G) - Groin pull - Day-to-day.
Donald Brashear (LW) - Strained left shoulder - Day-to-day.
Turner Stevenson (RW) - Right hip flexor - Day-to-day.

Simon Gagne (LW) - Right groin strain - Late December
Joni Pitkanen (D) - Athletic pubalgia - Early to Mid January
Eric Desjardins (D) - Right shoulder subluxation - After Olympic Break

Mike Richards (C) - Head injury - Will be reevaluated.

Brian Savage (LW) - Sprained MCL, right knee - out indefinitely.
Keith Primeau (C) - Concussion - Out indefinitely.


Insane. There is an awful lot of salary sitting out there.

[MountainHawk]

From the Flyers game report:


but the Canucks held on for just their third win against the Flyers all-time.


Really? Damn, that's not very many wins at all.

[Uncle Larry]

Speaking of which, are you ever going to come forward and tell us who you support, M&M? You know, to even things up a bit.He's a Penguins fan. Big surprise he doesn't mention that too often :lol:

[MountainHawk]

WA will like this poll from the Flyers website:


Are the New York Rangers a legitimate Eastern Conference contender?

Yes
50.6%

No
49.4%


TOTAL VOTES: 5784


They are slowly earning some respect, though grudingly. ;-)

[astudent]

Anybody watch the Stars/Senators game? It sounds like the Sens got into a lot of penalty trouble. Just curious to hear anybody's opinion who saw the game.

[Irish Blues]

From the Flyers game report:

but the Canucks held on for just their third win against the Flyers all-time.

Really? Damn, that's not very many wins at all.
And I thought it was bad when the Blues used to go to the Spectrum throughout the 70s and 80s and you knew they weren't going to win. There was a stretch of something like 39 games over 19 seasons where the Blues never won in Philly - it was finally broken the year Dan Kelly died. Kelly knew he had cancer and was dying, and in '87-88 when the Blues were on their way to yet another loss, Kelly made a comment on air wishing he'd get to see the Blues win in Philly before he died - when they did early in 1988, he broke down at the end of the game sobbing.

[MountainHawk]

The Penguins had a stretch like that in Philly. I don't think they had ever won a game in Philly until the 90s, once they got some guy like Mario.

[Mike and Maddog]

He's a Penguins fan. Big surprise he doesn't mention that too often :lol:


Not a penguin fan, but I do like the fact that their fans have seen the team carry the stanley cup around recently. flyer fans can't say that.

unless they are watching 8mm film of bobby clarke.

[Uncle Larry]

Not a penguin fanOh, a closet fan, I see.

[MountainHawk]

BTW ... I looked it up, and I have no idea what the Flyers writer was talking about. The Flyers are 66-27-13 against the Canucks (well 66-28-13 now) and 37-18-1 at home.

Counting OTL as losses, the Flyers aren't under .500 against ANY franchise at home. (I'm not sure who the Golden Seals, KC Scouts, or Cleveland Barons became, so those games aren't added in ... doesn't matter, the Flyers were 19-4-6 against the Seals, and 5-0-0 against both the Scouts and Barons).

9 teams where the Flyers are above .700 at home: MIN (.800), PIT (.796), ATL (.750), CBJ (.750), DAL (.746), STL (.746), PHX (.742), CAR (.733), and TOR (.701).

Closest to .500 are the Predators (2-2-1), Canadiens (29-28-16), and the Bruins (33-31-10).


Edit: More data mining shows the Bruins and Habs being the only two franchises the Flyers have a losing record against overall (53-77-21 against BOS and 55-63-30 against the Habs) ... the Flyers are 74-40-22 against the Leafs.

[Uncle Larry]

Let me see if I can get it. Atlanta became Calgary, I think the Scouts went to Jersey, Cleveland might have become Pittsburgh, and California Golden Seals....I don't know, I guess I'll say Sabres.

DocNo, how'd I do there buddy? Did I get any of em at least?

[hardinda]

Sabres were a pure expansion team

[DoctorNo]

Not too bad.

Atlanta did become Calgary.

Kansas City did become New Jersey, but there was a stop in Denver (Colorado Rockies) along the way. Don Cherry was the coach for a bit in Denver. One of my favourite Cherry stories was how, in his first game back in Boston after being fired, he called timeout with a one-goal lead and one minute to play. He spent the entire timeout signing autographs for Boston fans, much to the chagrin of the Boston front office who couldn't stand him. :)

The Golden Seals moved to Cleveland and became the Barons. The Barons later merged with the Minnesota North Stars. The North Stars then gave up about half of their roster when the San Jose Sharks were formed (and both teams participated in the expansion draft). They then moved to Dallas.

Pittsburgh's one of the original 1967 expansion teams (along with Philadelphia, Oakland, St. Louis, Los Angeles and Minnesota). Oddly enough, the league really wanted Baltimore to be in the expansion, but when that fell through, a team was awarded to Oakland.

And don't forget that the Blues almost moved to Saskatoon.

[Uncle Larry]

Bah, couldn't wait for Doc, looked it up. KC did become Jersey, but not before a quick stop in Colorado as the Rockies. California Golden Seals became the Cleveland Barons, who later merged with the Minnesota North Stars.

[MountainHawk]

The Colorado Rockies became New Jersey. Did the Scouts move to Colorado to become the Rockies? The Barons might have become the Minnesota North Stars. I think Pittsburgh was straight expansion.

[Uncle Larry]

Well looks like I wouldn't have had to wait much longer :)

[MountainHawk]

LMAO ... all three of us posted at the same time

[Uncle Larry]

So, let's say I get half credit on the Scouts, and full credit on the Flames. (MH didn't even ask about them I just tossed it in cause it was the only one I was positive about...:))

[MountainHawk]

Well, considering they were both the Flames, that one I figured was obvious. Calgary Flames is right up there with Utah Jazz as 'odd nicknames caused by franchise movement', but I suppose a name like Flames works ok when your major rival is the Oilers. ;-)

[Uncle Larry]

Well, considering they were both the Flames, that one I figured was obvious.Note in my post I never mentioned that Atlanta was also the Flames :)

Thanks for bringing to anyone who might not have known that's attention though buddy :swear:

[MountainHawk]

Everyone that posts in this thread other than M&M and WA would have known that. ;-)

[Uncle Larry]

Calgary Flames is right up there with Utah Jazz as 'odd nicknames caused by franchise movement', If we hadn't just a few posts ago said where New Jersey came from I would have made a joke about the Devils having an odd team name after their relocation from Hades.

[MountainHawk]

They relocated TO Hades.

[Uncle Larry]

:lol: Never been to Jersey but that's what I hear.

[Irish Blues]

Now the only thing that really needs clarified is that when San Jose came into the league, they got Minnesota's farm system and there was an expansion draft to fill the NHL roster for the Sharks - after that, there was a 2nd draft for the North Stars to restock their farm system.

And it was originally the California Seals, then the Oakland Seals (only a month into their inaugural season), then the California Golden Seals, then the Cleveland Barons, and finally Helen Shapiro. This last one, the team's favorite, had to be dropped after an injunction and the team was forced to merge with the North Stars.

[DoctorNo]

And it was originally the California Seals, then the Oakland Seals (only a month into their inaugural season), then the California Golden Seals, then the Cleveland Barons, and finally Helen Shapiro. This last one, the team's favorite, had to be dropped after an injunction and the team was forced to merge with the North Stars.

Toad the Wet Sprocket! Always good to see a Monty Python reference. :)

[Mike and Maddog]

Everyone that posts in this thread other than M&M and WA would have known that. ;-)

speak for yourself. remember you're the idiot that thought 10 road wins was automatically a great record without knowing how many losses there were.

[Uncle Larry]

And you're the coward who's too chicken &^%$ to tell anyone who you cheer for, so I'd say MH comes out on top by a mile and a half.

[DoctorNo]

Alright, then. Two easy NHL trivia questions - let's see how smart everyone really is.

(1) First goaltender to wear a mask in an NHL game.
(2) Last goaltender to go maskless in an NHL game.

No cheating! I'll post the answers after sufficient time has elapsed.

[MountainHawk]

1. Dryden

2. No f'in clue ... bet his nickname was Smiley or Idiot, though

[Uncle Larry]

Alright, then. Two easy NHL trivia questions - let's see how smart everyone really is.

(1) First goaltender to wear a mask in an NHL game.
(2) Last goaltender to go maskless in an NHL game.

No cheating! I'll post the answers after sufficient time has elapsed.Jaques Plante and Gump Worsely

[MountainHawk]

Ah ... I suck. Wrong Montreal goalie. :oops:

[Uncle Larry]

Figured you mixed them up.

[Mike and Maddog]

Jaques Plante and Gump Worsely


Wrong on both.

[Mike and Maddog]

Ah ... I suck. :oops:

Tell us something we don't know.

[Uncle Larry]

Wrong on both.
Then what're the right answers?

[Uncle Larry]

Don't even bother, I looked them up too.

[DoctorNo]

Hint: Mike and Maddog is correct in that Plante/Worsley are both incorrect answers.

[DoctorNo]

Don't even bother, I looked them up too.

Did you use my website? :)

http://hockeygoalies.org/bio/benedict.html
http://hockeygoalies.org/bio/browna.html

[MountainHawk]

Can we stop quoting M&M in this thread? It ruins the effect of

This message is hidden because Mike and Maddog is on your ignore list.

[Uncle Larry]

Did you use my website? :)

http://hockeygoalies.org/bio/benedict.html
http://hockeygoalies.org/bio/browna.htmlNa just googled and I think hockeyplayerdb came up first. Plante is I guess the first goalie to wear one permanently, but I could have sworn I read something a couple months ago saying Worsely was the last play to play without a mask...weird.

[DoctorNo]

Na just googled and I think hockeyplayerdb came up first. Plante is I guess the first goalie to wear one permanently, but I could have sworn I read something a couple months ago saying Worsely was the last play to play without a mask...weird.

Worsley wore one starting about midway through his final NHL season. Once he knew he was retiring, apparently his wife made him do it. :)

[GefilteFish144]

http://www.nytimes.com/members/diversions/trivia/answer.cgi

Jacques Plante was the first professional goalie to wear a mask.

No clue on the second one. As a Rangers fan, though, I know the last non-goalie to go without a helmet.

[MountainHawk]

http://www.nytimes.com/members/diversions/trivia/answer.cgi

Jacques Plante was the first professional goalie to wear a mask.

No clue on the second one. As a Rangers fan, though, I know the last non-goalie to go without a helmet.
Craig MacTavish :)

[DoctorNo]

Jacques Plante was the first professional goalie to wear a mask.


I can assure you that that's incorrect. It's a common misconception, though, and I'm not surprised that the New York Times picked it up.

[MountainHawk]

Plante was the first to wear one permanently, though, right?

[DoctorNo]

That's true. Although the Canadiens weren't happy with it; they cited it as another example of Plante being weird and not being a team player.

A lot of people think that the sole reason Plante was traded to the Rangers was spite.

[MountainHawk]

Guy likes his teeth = not a team player <=> Guy likes being able to see = a wimp ... Canadians haven't changed much over the years ... ;-)

[seabass]

NHL.com news: Sidney Crosby gets an A (assistant captain, duh).

[GefilteFish144]

NHL.com news: Sidney Crosby gets an A (assistant captain, duh).

A rookie gets an A? Are the Penguins that desperate for leadership?

[GefilteFish144]

That's true. Although the Canadiens weren't happy with it; they cited it as another example of Plante being weird and not being a team player.

A lot of people think that the sole reason Plante was traded to the Rangers was spite.

Funny thing about Canada and masks. Several years ago Toronto Blue Jays catcher Charlie O'Brien became the first catcher to wear a hockey-style goalie mask. The Blue Jays scoreboard operators had a sense of humor; every time he came up to bat, they showed a photo of a famous NHL goalie.

[DoctorNo]

NHL.com news: Sidney Crosby gets an A (assistant captain, duh).

Nitpick: "alternate" captain.

[seabass]

Nitpick: "alternate" captain.

awesome, my "duh" was really ironic.

[DoctorNo]

awesome, my "duh" was really ironic.

:)

It's one of my pet peeves. Since the captain's main role is to talk with the officials, he doesn't need assistance. Rather, the alternates act as captain when the captain is not on the ice.

As far as Crosby receiving one, I think it's a good move. He definitely has leadership qualities, and you may as well give him that responsibility right away. Even recently, with most of the veterans staying silent, Crosby was willing to speak up about the team's poor play of late.

I'd be willing to bet just about anything that Crosby is the next captain of the Pens after Lemieux retires.

[Uncle Larry]

I think Crosby will definetely be Captain, and should be but I don't like this move. The Penguins suck, and have lots of leadership. Therrien needs to put people in their place right now, Crosby's a rookie, should play and keep his mouth shut. Therrien needs to get on these lazy screw ups and go hard on them if they're going to make a run at the playoffs

[DoctorNo]

Just to play devils' advocate: you don't need a letter on your chest to be a team leader. I'm sure that the veterans on the Penguins know this, but at Crosby's age he probably doesn't have that perspective just yet. Giving him a letter might allow him to bear more of the load going forward.

[Uncle Larry]

I'm just big on earning respect as opposed to expecting it because of what you did in the minors. He's having a great season so far but I just think you gotta get through that first year with your mouth shut, learn as much as you can from the guy's who've been doing it since you ere in diapers. The Pens aren't short on veterans.

[hardinda]

Sabres get the Pens tonight, don't like this game at all. They got the Ducks right after the Thornton trade, tonight they get the Pens as the new coach steps in. Always tough to play a fired up team.

[Uncle Larry]

Ya, teams tend to go on hot streaks after getting a new coach...I never like playing teams after they just had a big trade/got a new coach or anything like that, but Buffalo is playing great hockey right now. TSN is carrying the game, I'm going to the pub to watch it, should be a great game. I'm looking forward to it, first time I'll get to see the Pens play a full game this year.

[MountainHawk]

Finally, some good news for the Flyers. Richards is not concussed, may play on Saturday. Savage and Brashear both could be back for Saturday. Gagne is shooting for Thursday against Ottawa.

[Irish Blues]

Tkachuk out 4-6 weeks with broken knuckles trying to block a shot. Sanford is on IR and the Blues have to call-up a goalie from the ECHL because neither guy in Peoria would clear recall waivers (24 hours) in time to be available for tonight's game.

On the other hand, Jason Bacashihua scored his first NHL point before he made his first NHL save, getting an assist about 6 minutes after he entered the game for Sanford. I'm interested to hear someone research which goalies scored their first NHL point the fastest, and if anyone else has scored a point in their NHL debut before making a save.

[DoctorNo]

It was good to see Cash finally get his NHL debut. I got to skate with him a few times when we were both in Salt Lake City, and you couldn't ask for a nicer kid than Jason.

[MountainHawk]

Devils waive Dan McGillis ... $2.2M for a immobile clutch and grab defenseman anyone?

[MountainHawk]

and if you really want McGillis, can the Flyers offer you an orange traffic cone named Chris Therien?

[Irish Blues]

and if you really want McGillis, can the Flyers offer you an orange traffic cone named Chris Therien?
No thanks - we have Steve Poapst, we don't need any more pylons.

[DoctorNo]

Flyers can barely beat the worst team in the league. Ha!

[DoctorNo]

(Sorry, forgot to log out and log back in as Mike and Maddog)

:)

[DoctorNo]

We should have a daily "Predict Mike and Maddog's next post" contest.

[MountainHawk]

5-2 is barely? Did the Senators 'just hang on' against the Leafs?

[DoctorNo]

5-2 is barely? Did the Senators 'just hang on' against the Leafs?

\begin{Mike and Maddog}
Injuries are no excuse. The empty-netter doesn't count, and the Blues almost scored two more goals. That's a tie game. HA!
\end{Mike and Maddog}

[MountainHawk]

Your punctuation and grammar were correct. You are clearly an imposter.

[DoctorNo]

\begin{2pac}
THE GOVERNMENT! It's the government! Bush is the suxx0r!
\end{2pac}

[MountainHawk]

You aren't entirely sober tonight, are you? :)

[DoctorNo]

I wish that were the case - it's too freaking cold to go out to the bars tonight.

Not that I wouldn't, but all of my wussy friends wimped out. So I'm trying not to study for my NEAS time-series class. :)

[yankeetripper]

I wish that were the case - it's too freaking cold to go out to the bars tonight.

Not that I wouldn't, but all of my wussy friends wimped out. So I'm trying not to study for my NEAS time-series class. :)
I think that is the most depresing thing I've heard all day. But then even w/ the rain its only about 50 degrees here. Oh well on to setting up the christmas tree! Kids have been looking forward all day and the little one is going to bed.

[DoctorNo]

I'm writing my annual Christmas letter right now. It sure beats studying time series!

[MountainHawk]

"All I want for Christmas is for Detroit to miss the playoffs, and Patrick Roy tocome back and lead the Avs to the Cup"?

[DoctorNo]

"All I want for Christmas is for Detroit to miss the playoffs, and Patrick Roy tocome back and lead the Avs to the Cup"?

After tonight's impressively pathetic display of patheticism, I refer you to this post: http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/actuarial_discussion_forum/showpost.php?p=1316313&postcount=992

F'n Avs.

[MountainHawk]

To borrow a line from the HF boards ... it sounds like your friends stayed home with pulled uteruses.

[seabass]

Flyers can barely beat the worst team in the league. Ha!

Excuse me, but you forgot the LMAO.

[Mike and Maddog]

It's the Blues, however, for St. Louis. They have the fewest wins (six) and fewest points (16) in the NHL. The franchise is up for sale and has a 4-11-2 home record. The crowd last night was about 9,000.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/13434646.htm

gotta be real proud of that win.

[seabass]

It's the Blues, however, for St. Louis. They have the fewest wins (six) and fewest points (16) in the NHL. The franchise is up for sale and has a 4-11-2 home record. The crowd last night was about 9,000.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/13434646.htm

gotta be real proud of that win.

why are you always visiting philly.com?

[hardinda]

Sabres @ Flyers tonight.

Should be another good game. Sabres looked very tired in the 3rd period of Sat's game vs Pittsburgh. Hopefully 1 day rest will help them come out with another impressive road game.

I'm assuming Biron gets the start, which means he'll be looking for his 14th straight win and the Sabres will be looking for their 9th straight road win.

In other news, Lehtonen will have his first practice with the Thrashers today since opening game. Look out for them to move up into a battle for the 8th spot. (I've been saying this for awhile now, but no one seems to believe me)

[seabass]

In other news, Lehtonen will have his first practice with the Thrashers today since opening game. Look out for them to move up into a battle for the 8th spot. (I've been saying this for awhile now, but no one seems to believe me)

I believed it. They've been very disappointing this season. I've heard great things about Kari, but I'm reserving judgment until they put a good run together.

[MountainHawk]

The Leafs have a much softer December/early January schedule that Atlanta. If Atlanta is still in shouting distance of the Leafs in 10 games, I'll agree they could be a threat for that 8th spot.

[Uncle Larry]

I believed it. They've been very disappointing this season. I've heard great things about Kari, but I'm reserving judgment until they put a good run together.KICK HIS ASS SEABASS!

[seabass]

KICK HIS ASS SEABASS!

wrong thread

http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/actuarial_discussion_forum/showthread.php?t=21869

:wink:

[MountainHawk]

I'm looking forward to the Flyers-Sabres tonight. Hopefully, Carter and Richards will be back, so we'll actually have an almost complete forward set (minus Gagne, of course). The sabres are fast, so Hatcher and Rathje will have to avoid making too many mistakes. They've been dominant lately, but they are still a bit slow so don't recover too well from the mistakes they do make.

[Irish Blues]

Larry Robinson steps down as head coach of the Devils, citing stress.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=147544&hubname=nhl

[GefilteFish144]

Too bad about Larry -- such a classy guy. Devils have been a very mediocre team this season. You can blame it on rule changes, loss of Stevens and Niedermeyer, whatever, but maybe they can find a coach who can give them a spark. The return of Elias certainly won't hurt.

[MountainHawk]

You'd think you need fans for the coach to have stress.

On the bright side for the Devils, I'm pretty sure McGillis is the highest paid AHLer ever at $2.2M/year for the next year and a half.

[DoctorNo]

I'm pretty sure McGillis is the highest paid AHLer ever at $2.2M/year for the next year and a half.

I imagine that he's staying, because Vlad Malakhov also announced his retirement today. What a coincidence for the Devils that, just when they would have had to make a move to get Elias back, one of their big-contract over-the-hill players retires.

Seriously, though - I always liked Vlad. He'd been on my Strat-o-Matic team since 1997, and I was always holding onto him because I was hoping he'd get it together and do what he was always supposed to do.

[MountainHawk]

Too late ... they already waived him and assigned him to the AHL, I think. They'd have to recall him ... I wonder if anyone would take McGillis for $1.1M?

[DoctorNo]

I'm going from this article:
http://www.msgnetwork.com/content_news.jsp?articleID=v0000msgn20051219T16371 7879&newsgroup=ap.sportsml.columnist.article&sports=ice-hockey&team=Devils&league=nhl

where they state that McGillis is back with the team. Maybe they never actually sent him down, and were just announcing their intentions?

[MountainHawk]

Perhaps ... there really should be a time constraint on what you have to do with a player once you waive them.

[Irish Blues]

Perhaps ... there really should be a time constraint on what you have to do with a player once you waive them.
There should also be a provision that if you call someone up, they should have to stay for 3 or 4 days - otherwise you see what Vancouver and Philadelphia are doing regularly shuttling players to and from the minors in a desperate effort to preserve cap space. But that's another argument.

[MountainHawk]

I've posted how I think the cap should work before, but I forget if it was here or on HF.

(1) Establish a 23 man roster. Only players on the 23 man roster as of 8AM on a game day are eligible for the game that day.

(2) 1/82 of that year's salary then counts against the cap for each person on the 23 man roster. That cap space is used, and gone. This accumulates throughout the season, and obviously is not allowed to exceed the cap.

(3) Every day, you calculate the projected cap hit of the current 23 man roster as 'future games'/82 * sum of 23 man roster salarys + used cap space already. This can also never exceed the cap.

(4) Establish an IR for injured players, similar to the DL in baseball. Once a player is moved to the IR, he must stay there for at least 15 days. IR players may practice with the team on off days, but can't participate on game days. The IR is NOT a part of the 23 man roster.

(5) You must waive a player to get him off the 23 man roster. If he clears waivers, you have 2 days to declare your intentions:

(a) re-add him to the 23 man roster.
(b) assign him to the minors
(c) declare him a free agent. If a player is declared a free agent, the old team is STILL responsible to pay his salary until he signs a new deal, but his services are no longer available to the team and the salary does not count against the cap.

[Wannabe Actuary]

for me, OLN is showing Stars at Wild tonight....would prefer the Flyers game actually since it looks to be a good game.

Oh well, thank goodness Comcast Sports Net is showing it in HD.
Hockey won't last on OLN if they keep showing games that not many people have interest in (it should be a whooping by the Stars).

[MountainHawk]

USA Olympic Roster:

Goalies:
Robert Esche
Rick DiPietro
John Grahame

Defensemen:
Jean-Michael Liles
Aaron Miller
Derian Hatcher
Brian Rafalski
Jordan Leopold
Mathieu Schneider
Chris Chelios

Forwards:
Brian Gionta
Craig Conroy
Jason Blake
Scott Gomez
Mike Knuble
Mike Modano
Erik Cole
Bill Guerin
Doug Weight
Keith Tkachuk
Chris Drury
Mark Parrish
Brian Rolston


No Leetch, No Roenick.

[Wannabe Actuary]

good, they're too old

[Wannabe Actuary]

Flyers lose in a shootout
still picked up a point though.

[MountainHawk]

Yup ... tough loss ... just couldn't get it past Miller. Stupid coin flip shootout, especially without Gagne and Richards ... ;-)

[Wannabe Actuary]

the flyers post game guys are awful. They're talking about the Sabre who moved his stick around the puck on the shootout saying that it looked like a double hit...I'm like WTF. That was clearly just a fake. I mean every kid has done that move playing street hockey or hockey when growing up.

[MountainHawk]

Vanek? That hit the crossbar?

[Wannabe Actuary]

yeah...the deek (sp?) that he made...the guys are retarded

[MountainHawk]

there just homers ... just like every other announcers in the world. Pittsburgh and Buffalo's are two of the worst in the NHL at being homers.

[Wannabe Actuary]

USA Olympic Roster:

Goalies:
Robert Esche
Rick DiPietro
John Grahame


tonight he faced 17 shots and allowed 6 goals before getting yanked. Then again, Belfour let in 6 as well so far. DiPietro's replacement has let in 3 goals on 16 shots so far.

ugly game, 9-6 late in the third

[MountainHawk]

US is going to get lit up like a redneck's Christmas lights in February ... let's not talk of it again.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Gratton had two good fights.....in the first period.

[hardinda]

Sabres take their 9th straight road win and now have 12 road wins overall. 47 points ties them with detroit for the 2nd most points in the league.

I wish we had Briere and Dumont back, oh wait ... we don't need to whine about injuries ... i forgot.

Edit: 9th on the tsn.ca power list, lol

[seabass]

tonight he faced 17 shots and allowed 6 goals before getting yanked. Then again, Belfour let in 6 as well so far. DiPietro's replacement has let in 3 goals on 16 shots so far.

ugly game, 9-6 late in the third

A couple of the goals were soft, but defense was pitiful on both sides. DiPietro's a guy who can make it happen if he has some help around him, and he did very well at the World Cup last year.

[DoctorNo]

I'm really surprised that Miller wasn't named to the team today. Before the injury, I thought he'd push DiPietro for the starting job.

[DoctorNo]

(it should be a whooping by the Stars).

:)

[Real American Hero]

US is going to get lit up like a redneck's Christmas lights in February ... let's not talk of it again.Sorry, can't pass up the chance.

WTF? this team is probably older than the Red Wings.

Hatcher? The guy's a freakin' pylon on NHL sized rinks - what's he going to be on an olympic sized sheet?

[seabass]

I'm really surprised that Miller wasn't named to the team today. Before the injury, I thought he'd push DiPietro for the starting job.

Me too. Grahame seems to be the odd man out, but with the Lightning starting to pick it up, I guess they figured he's worth a shot too, and Miller (who played very well tonight) is still possibly an injury risk. I'm also happy to see Blake and Parrish on the roster, but the Isles probably have the highest percentage of American-born players on their roster, so this isn't really a surprise.

About the rest of the roster... is Keith Tkachuk still overweight?

[MountainHawk]

You are comparing Briere and Dumont to Richards, Gagne (Richard contender), Esche, Pitkanen (Norris contender), and Desjardins? I'll take the tie/shootout loss with the Phantoms+Forsberg against the 'top-notch' Sabres any day of the week. The fact that the Flyers are still picking up points despite playing with the Phantoms just adds to my confidence that when it is all said and done, it'd be the Flyers and Senators in the CF, because when those two teams are healthy, there is no other teams that are all that close.

[Mike and Maddog]

flyers lose to sabres without biron. at home. not exactly top notch.

[seabass]

flyers lose to sabres without biron. at home. not exactly top notch.

:rofl:

[DoctorNo]

About the rest of the roster... is Keith Tkachuk still overweight?

Yes. Followup question: does his selection count as two roster spots?

[seabass]

Yes. Followup question: does his selection count as two roster spots?

No, but the team is worried that they don't have enough money for the food budget. Luckily, Chris Chelios will be eligible for an AARP discount on his flight to Turin, so I think they'll be okay.

[astudent]

Sorry, can't pass up the chance.

WTF? this team is probably older than the Red Wings.

Hatcher? The guy's a freakin' pylon on NHL sized rinks - what's he going to be on an olympic sized sheet?

Hatcher doesn't get enough credit. He is ranked 6th overall in plus/minus (+15) among defensmen,the first U.S. born captain to win a cup, and he knows how to shut down a top line. I think he could be very useful.

[hardinda]

You are comparing Briere and Dumont to Richards, Gagne (Richard contender), Esche, Pitkanen (Norris contender), and Desjardins? I'll take the tie/shootout loss with the Phantoms+Forsberg against the 'top-notch' Sabres any day of the week. The fact that the Flyers are still picking up points despite playing with the Phantoms just adds to my confidence that when it is all said and done, it'd be the Flyers and Senators in the CF, because when those two teams are healthy, there is no other teams that are all that close.

Why don't you take your stats and look at games lost to injury, before you say it's a "top-notch" sabres team. Maybe you should look at stats before making statements like this. The Sabres have lost games from McKee, Briere, Grier, Pyatt, Miller, Lydman, Dumont, Kalinin....

The difference is the Sabres are winning games by playing their system. They have won 9 straight road games, they have won 12 out of their last 13 games, gained points in 16 out of their last 17 games. They aren't using injuries as excuses, their #1 goalie went down and they lost a few games and then went on a torrid streak. Injuries happen, good teams don't use them as an excuse, good teams win with injuries. They find ways to win, that's what makes them a good team.

The Sabres are a good team and now have 2 #1 goalies healthy. They have 47 points, tied for 2nd in the NHL with Detroit. I guess the Sabres are a GREAT team, not just a good team.

Sure, Philly fans can say "We are undefeated against Ottawa", but guess what ... the Sabres are undefeated against Philly. So, we are better than you. It's been proven on the ice. Philly can't say they are better until they prove it on the ice.

[MountainHawk]

Sabres are better than the Phantoms. Congrats. At least you can beat teh Calder Cup champs.

[Wannabe Actuary]

The Leafs ugly 9-6 win over the Islanders moved Belfour out of a tie for, and now stands alone as the second all-time in wins for a goalie.

Was that the highest scoring game of the year?

[seabass]

I have a feeling that Philly might be meeting Buffalo in the first round of the playoffs, should be fun times in the hockey thread!

[Irish Blues]

I have a feeling that Philly might be meeting Buffalo in the first round of the playoffs, should be fun times in the hockey thread!
I have a feeling that come playoff time, the Blues will be meeting up with the 1st hole at many golf courses in the St. Louis area.

[Wannabe Actuary]

I have a feeling that Philly might be meeting Buffalo in the first round of the playoffs, should be fun times in the hockey thread!
first round??, maybe, but I doubt it.

[MountainHawk]

I have a feeling that Philly might be meeting Buffalo in the first round of the playoffs, should be fun times in the hockey thread!
Buffalo is unlikely to finish as low as 7th, unless Afinogenov, Biron, Briere, Drury, and Dumont all misses 4-6 weeks.

[hardinda]

Sabres are better than the Phantoms. Congrats. At least you can beat teh Calder Cup champs.

Knuble and Forsberg play for the phantoms?

Sabres had Gaustad, Roy, Pomminville, Vanek, Miller and Peters playing, so I guess the Amerks beat the phantoms ... it's just that the Amerks seem to be able to beat every other team in the NHL (except Ottawa) too.

[Mike and Maddog]

I didn't know forsberg was on the phantoms.

[Mike and Maddog]

Knuble and Forsberg play for the phantoms?

Sabres had Gaustad, Roy, Pomminville, Vanek, Miller and Peters playing, so I guess the Amerks beat the phantoms ... it's just that the Amerks seem to be able to beat every other team in the NHL (except Ottawa) too.

beat me to it!

[Wannabe Actuary]

Buffalo is unlikely to finish as low as 7th, unless Afinogenov, Biron, Briere, Drury, and Dumont all misses 4-6 weeks.
right now the two teams are 4th and 5th in points....which would line them up.

I have a feeling that it will likely be one team getting up to 2 or 3, and the other ending around 5. All depends on who stays healthy.

[Cannonball]

Sabres 2
Philly 1

End of story, fatso.

[hardinda]

right now the two teams are 4th and 5th in points....which would line them up.

I have a feeling that it will likely be one team getting up to 2 or 3, and the other ending around 5. All depends on who stays healthy.

Sabres have no shot at 2 or 3, it'll either be 1 or 4-8. Ottawa will either be 1 or 4.

[MountainHawk]

Sabres have no shot at 1 either. They've played four extra games, have won 16 out of the last 18 or whatever is it, AND still trail Ottawa.

[Cannonball]

Not to worry. Hasek will eventually have his inevitable breakdown, and Emery won't be able to keep the momentum. Ottawa's a house of cards that's about to fall, just like your fraudulent Flyers.

[seabass]

Buffalo is unlikely to finish as low as 7th, unless Afinogenov, Biron, Briere, Drury, and Dumont all misses 4-6 weeks.

Sneaky. Philly is in no way guaranteed the 2 spot. Clearly, they'll have to stay healthy to beat the Rangers in the standings, injuries are their #1 opponent right now.

I don't see the Sabres being #1 either. Say what you want about their streak, they're 6-6 in division and 0-3 against Ottawa. Ottawa has lost one game in division.

[seabass]

first round??, maybe, but I doubt it.

It's a maybe. I was hoping that the Rangers stretch would slow down, but they're keeping at it, and as long as Jagr stays healthy, they can definitely give Philly a run for the Atlantic. Ottawa is still more likely to take the Northeast, and as long as Buffalo doesn't collapse, they're good for a top 5 seed.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Rangers have only faced Philly once...those head to head games will be huge.

[MountainHawk]

Sneaky. Philly is in no way guaranteed the 2 spot. Clearly, they'll have to stay healthy to beat the Rangers in the standings, injuries are their #1 opponent right now.

I don't see the Sabres being #1 either. Say what you want about their streak, they're 6-6 in division and 0-3 against Ottawa. Ottawa has lost one game in division.
Thanks. I actually do think the Rangers are a serious threat at this point, though I still would consider the Flyers the favorite. I'd put the money line at -$125 now though, instead of the -$140-150 range that I thought was more appropriate a month ago. The loss of Pitkanen is huge for the defense.

The Rangers need to put some space between themselves and the Flyers again. The Flyers have Ottawa at home Thursday, then I think they head off on their 12 game road trip. If the Flyers are still breathing down the Rangers neck by January 20th, they'll pass them. After March 18th, the Flyers don't leave the states of PA, NJ, and NY for the rest of the season, iirc.

[seabass]

Is Havlat healthy for the Flyers game? If I recall, him being out was the only reason the Flyers beat them last time. :wink:

[MountainHawk]

Havlat is out for months with a separated shoulder. It's amazing the lengths he'll go through to avoid playing the Flyers. ;-)

[Real American Hero]

Hatcher doesn't get enough credit. He is ranked 6th overall in plus/minus (+15) among defensmen,the first U.S. born captain to win a cup, and he knows how to shut down a top line. I think he could be very useful.By the way, does Hatcher wear make-up?

[MountainHawk]

LMAO! That's a awesome thread over there.

[Irish Blues]

That thread wasn't headed for the same stratosphere as the infamous "puck poise" thread until the pic of him in the Red Wings jersey (and you all should know which one I'm talking about).

[Wannabe Actuary]

missed the game because I was out getting a christmas present for the woman's parents, but the devils beat the rangers 3-1. I'll have to read the summary, but if anyone saw it and can add more to a summary (since those usually stink), that would be great. Thanks in advance.

[MountainHawk]

Saw the first 15 minutes or so, and the Rangers were getting some chances. But Brodeur is back in goal for the Devils, which means the Devils don't necessarily have to play better than the other guy to win.

Then I switched to Habs-Sens ... what a game that was. Kovalev 4 - Senators 3 :lol:

[Real American Hero]

That thread wasn't headed for the same stratosphere as the infamous "puck poise" thread until the pic of him in the Red Wings jersey (and you all should know which one I'm talking about).
Now you're going to make me search for that "puck poise" thread. Of course, if it's as good as the Hatcher thread, it'll be well worth the search.

[hardinda]

Tomorrow night the Sabres try to tie the NHL record (held by the Sabres and Blues ... maybe??) of 10 straight road wins. They play @ Florida. These winter Florida trips always seem to be tough on the Sabres, probably too much golf and fishing trips on the off day.

Should be an interesting game to watch and I hope they tie the record and then have a shot at beating the record Friday @ Tampa.

I'll be going to Monday's game vs the Islanders and the 1/1 game vs Florida. Excited to see the Sabres play live for the first time this season (got my Guastad 3rd jersey ready).

[GefilteFish144]

missed the game because I was out getting a christmas present for the woman's parents, but the devils beat the rangers 3-1. I'll have to read the summary, but if anyone saw it and can add more to a summary (since those usually stink), that would be great. Thanks in advance.

Rangers got their lone goal by Ruchin, with an assist from the similarly-named Rucinsky and a rare assist from Prucha. Jagr line was ineffective. Rangers spent most of the 3rd period in the penalty box. Of course, that seems to be a popular strategy against the Devils, who were 0 for 11 on the power play (including 2 5-on-3 advantages, one of which Gomez committed a penalty). I believe the Devils are something like 1 for their last 40 PP's -- they should start declining penalties. Devils ended up scoring 2 goals in a 16-second span late in the game, 3rd goal an empty-netter by Madden. Second one Weekes definitely should have had, but bottom line is that their offense couldn't get anything going because of the penalties.

Rangers are losing a lot of close ones these days. It's probably the penalties that are hurting them the most. While they are #2 in the league in terms of penalty killing, the penalties are giving them fewer offensive chances, and with only 2 scoring threats they need all the offense they can get.

[Wannabe Actuary]

thanks GF

[MountainHawk]

Players give rule
changes thumbs up
By John McGourty | NHL.com
Dec. 21, 2005



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


It's apparent that by every measurable standard you like the new NHL brand of hockey. The great thing for attentive fans is that the game is continuing to evolve. As coaches and players adjust to the new rules and standard of rules enforcement, new offensive strategies and scoring plays are being attempted.

Scoring is up and goalies' goals-against-averages have skyrocketed. It's not just that there are more goals, there's more end-to-end skating, shots from difficult angles, play in front of the net and more spectacular saves.



Full article here: http://www.nhl.com/features/rules122105.html

[seabass]

Rangers got their lone goal by Ruchin, with an assist from the similarly-named Rucinsky and a rare assist from Prucha.

Is this called the "Roo" line?

[hardinda]

Hmmm, I enjoyed this bit of the article:

Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza is playing on the NHL's top line this season, between captain Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley. Spezza has He has 12 goals and 34 assists and has ranked in the NHL's Top Five scorers all season.

they must have forgot about the Philly line.

[MountainHawk]

Philly line hasn't played together in a month. Try to keep up with the facts. Don't be an M&M.

[Wannabe Actuary]

Philly line hasn't played together in a month. Try to keep up with the facts. Don't be an M&M.
peanut, almond, plain, peanut butter, ???
try to be more specific please :wink:

[Wannabe Actuary]

btw, I picked up NHL 2K6 for xbox 360, I can't wait to play that with the new updated rosters...

[MountainHawk]

I just finished my regular season first regular season with the PS2. Forsberg won the Richard and Art Ross with 71G and 119 Pts, just edging out Iginla in both (69G, 117 Pts)