Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

OMG Claude Giroux

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Obviously Toews is my favorite player and he's been on a tear lately, but if the season ended today, I would have to say Giroux should win the Hart. The guy has been fantastic from the first game when he scored one of the most ridiculous goals of the year, and he has stepped up huge with a ton of pressure on his back to pick up the scoring lost with Richards and Carter. And he's really surpassed expectations and the Flyers, to my surprise, haven't lost a step.

Toews would be next, for me, as he's near the top in scoring, goals, and has dominated the dot like nobody else.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Came in to post this.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I agree Giroux would get the Hart, but the thing that gets me about Toews is that he is always a slow starter. He had 7 points in all of October. I hope that these two keep it up and battle the whole year, it would be awesome.

and Kessel sucks.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

something i think we can all agree on.

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Toews being a slow starter just sounds like kind of an excuse, though. That's on him to get going a bit quicker. Though, I think the fact that he has fewer assists than goals has a lot to due with Q's line-swapping and forcing him to drag around Brunette & Stalberg for a few games. Now there's a line that really makes no sense.

Claude Giroux must also put up the most points per dollar in the NHL, as well. The guy made less than a mil last year and put up 76 points. He makes $2.75m (cap hit $3.75m) this year. Jesus.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

This is what I pray for before I got to bed each night

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look at every single October he has ever had. Every. Single. One. It's not an excuse, it's pretty much of a fact now. I'm saying he has turned it on and he is playing well now, and if he were to keep it up like this thats what makes me think he could win the Hart.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Guys... I feel inclined to share one bit of information in this whole dick measuring contest: I just heard from a very reliable source that Toews, Crosby, Staal, and yes, even OMGCG just purchased matching Kris Versteeg pajamas.

Just saying.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

BuffaOOOOOOfuck....

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:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup

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Mr 15 years is out again it seems.

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I didn't even know he came back. The Islanders will be nothing unless they find a way to bury his contract or get rid of him. The guy is made of glass, through and through.

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He has zero commitment to a defensive game, shies away from any sort of physicality, and until this season has shown that his attitude and desire to win just don't seem to be up there with the other greats of his skillset.

That being said, the kid has perhaps the greatest pure wrist shot in the NHL right now. Seriously. Watch him some time. Also, great hockey sense; he knows where the right places are to get in scoring position and he gets there. Not a bad skater either.

All in all, Kessel has loads of skill, he just needs to mature and learn how to use it. If he does, he could have a HOF career. If he doesn't... well, he'll have a couple 40-50 goal seasons and that's that.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I don't think Kessel will ever score 50 goals. He just isn't willing to go into the dirty areas consistently enough to score 50 imo.

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Like I said, his hockey sense is what does it for him. I understand what you're saying, but I'm still predicting at least one 50-goal season from Kessel even with his current attitude. Not saying this as a fan of his, because no one despises a one-dimensional player more than I do, but just being realistic.

Again, if he decides to take on the whatever-it-takes attitude of some other players in this league... watch out.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Sid had a headache yesterday after practice. After reading the Boogard story, I'm not sure if he should even try to come back.

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Not quite the same thing since Boogard took countless pounds to the head but I get what you are saying. Scary.

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What struck me was they showed all the hits that could have caused this, and other than the Kunitz hit where I don't see any head impact, none of them are particularly nasty.

Bigger picture, I have no idea what the Pens med staff is doing. They clearly missed the initial diagnosis last year, missed Letang, and apparently missed this one. The NHL has to do something to identify these injuries, and get the guy off the ice and evaluated.

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The issue here is that the guys need to be honest with the medical staff. And I doubt most are because they know they won't be allowed back on the ice soon if they are honest. It's similar to the guys in the NFL that are purposely underperforming on their baseline tests.

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the weird thing is, Crosby said it was his leg, then goes and takes the impact test as a precaution. it came back clean, but then again, so did letangs and michaleks. he was off the entire game against the bruins, so who knows anymore.

to add, the med staff has screwed up royally again, thats three times. i just hope they are not toying with us and this truly is them just being overly cautious.

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THe hockey culture, even at its lowest levels, is one of "get out and play. Just rub some dirt on it!" It's always been part of the lore of hockey that the "real" players play through pain. I'm not saying that's the correct way of thinking, but that's how it is. I agree with dunc in that guys just want to play and will oftentimes fudge the truth so they can get back on the ice faster. I'm ok if it's a broken nose or something, but with head stuff these guys have to be completely honest in how they feel. No chances can be taken.

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I'd like to say Sid wouldn't lie about it at this point, but he claimed the Kunitz hit was his leg. Who knows?

IMO, they should pass a rule. If play is stopped for you, you're going to the locker room to be evaluated.

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They already sort of have one with the quiet room thing if you take a shot to the head. But again if the guy's arent being honest there's not really a sure way of telling what's going on.

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Wait, I thought he passed all of the concussion tests after the hit against the Bruins? If he had a headache after practicing, theoretically that could have been caused by any number of things. He's probably going to be fine.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

hangover

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

he did. from bylsma:

When asked exactly when Crosby was hurt in the Boston game, Bylsma responded:

"It was not a one-time incident in the game. He took a couple hits in the game and didn’t feel 100 percent after the game, so that was an indication. He went and saw Dr. (Michael) Collins the next day. His imPACT test was exactly what it was when he returned to play. Dr. Collins said there is no indication of a concussion at this point in time. After practice (Wednesday), he had a slight headache. He knows his body well. It’s been a long 10 months. And as a precautionary (move), he is just kind of taking tonight’s game off and through the weekend."

Bylsma was then asked what steps would be required for Crosby to return to the lineup, and coach answered, "He’s having today off and anticipates working out (Friday). That’s where he’s at right now."

after reading this, im more inclined to believe its just the team being extra cautious.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Looks like David Krecji might have gotten him with an elbow.

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hmm I didn't see that during the game but the 2 of them were battling the whole game. Crosby was getting very chippy after the whistle.

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Exactly. Give him a few days off. The Pens are at the top of the East (albeit having played more games than anyone else) but they can win without Crosby and obviously need him to be ready to go in May. I'm not usually a close observer of the Eastern Conference, but the battle for the East in the regular season and the playoffs is going to be incredible this year. The Pens could have their big guns healthy, Boston looks even better than last year, and even Philly looks better than they did down the stretch last season.