Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

There are so many things I disagree with on the USA roster that I would love to complain about, but I realize I'm always the guy here that's saying teams need to be built with the "right" players and not necessarily the "best" ones, so I'm just going to bite my tongue for now. The builders of the team may be seeing something in some of these guys that I'm not, so who knows. But with all that said, I'm still a bit nervous, and may not be able to contain myself from tossing around a few "I told you!"'s if things don't go well once the games start.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

I mean you can argue Ryan/Saad over guys like Wheeler/Pacioretty but I don't really think there is a huge difference there so...I don't really think that stuff changes much. Is Bobby Ryan a guy who can be an effective 4th liner? If not, then he is superfluous. You can't bring him just to play on the PP. I mean the big issue we always were going to face is our weakness up the middle in comparison to, say, Canada. That isn't changing, so...whatever.

I think the discussion on d-men is much more important. By taking Orpik & Martin it seems like they are going the route of (unsurprisingly) Nashville in focusing on stifling the great teams rather than trying to match them with elite skill. Personally I would have loved to see Seth Jones or Yandle or Byfuglien get a shot. Those guys are dynamic in ways that you don't see often from defensemen. With guys like Faulk/Fowler/Shattenkirk/Orpik/Martin, you have a much smaller but "safer" group. I don't particularly care for that.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Canada was stacked offensively in Vancouver, so was Russia--look what happened to both. Russia doesn't even medal, right? Of course Canada won the gold, but they were one goal from being knocked out.

USA played their cards right by building a team, not an all-star team. USA is gunning for gold, you betcha the guys they selected were personally selected with how they were going to match up with Canada.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

How they match up with canada is precisely why I'm worried about this team. But, like I said, I guess I'll wait and see. At this point, I can only hope they serve me up a healthy dose of crow

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

LOL this team does not "match up" well with Canada. IMO as far as forwards go, Canada is the Blackhawks or Pens and the USA is Columbus or Nashville. And that might be a generous comparison for the US.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Changing the subject a bit, apparently the pens have been scouting the avs pretty hardcore the last few months, some feel a big deal could be brewing. Possibly Despres. pens need forwards, the avs need D-men, What do you think would be a good trade?

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

this is inaccurate.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Speaking of snubs
https://31.media.tumblr.com/5d38cf52...mwbgo1_500.jpg

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

About par for the course as far as Bruins fans go.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Interesting! With the Avs in the middle of their inevitable drop-off, a trade may be useful in shaking things up. The one forward who can't seem to get out of Roy's dog house this year is Jamie McGinn. He's shown flashes of brilliance, but also disappears for long stretches as motivation seems to be an issue. Perhaps just needs a change of scenery? His best production for the Avs came shortly after his trade from SJ, so maybe a kick in the butt like that is in order. Also, you can't help but like the idea of him playing with Malkin. He's one of those guys that won't carry a line himself, but really elevates his game when pushed by the right line mates. He's got a great shot and deceptive speed. Great at sniffing out the right areas around the net and getting chances. How does Despres for McGinn straight up sound?

We haven't talked about him much, but I'm fairly high on Despres and feel like he needs more of a chance to develop. What better to do that than on the Avs? They're growing something nice, but there's basically two spots open that are just revolving doors right now, waiting for someone to jump in and take them. Roy is very good at harnessing the strengths of players and allowing guys to play within them, and I think Despres would respond well to that. I don't have the strength to do a full report on him now, but Despres has a really good all-around game that I'd like to see develop.

McGinn may not be enough for someone with the potential of Despres, so we may have to throw in a mid-level draft pick. Thoughts? Let me know and I'll get Sakic on the phone. ;)

As far as what's REALLY going on... I can't help but wonder if they're checking out Talbot, thinking of the chemistry he already has with the core Pens pieces. The Talbot risk hasn't exactly panned out in Colorado, but I'm not ready to give up on him yet. I like where it's going and am not willing to throw in the towel on it yet. I obviously don't think he'd be the centerpiece of a major move, but wouldn't be surprised if they're looking at bringing him back.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

:lol:lol

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

You know what Coxy let me ask you a question. Why'd you wanna play cawledge hawkey?

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA what

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Did you read the article on ESPN about how they built it? The Yandle talk drives me up a wall. I TOTALLY understand the justification in Ryan. I get it. But the Yandle thing just seems like a personal vendetta against the guy.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

This post is just silly and is only because you are an upset Islanders fan. Stepan and Cally have both missed large parts of this season so far. When playing they are far better than Okposo will ever be. Maybe DS is streaky, but I don't think anyone on here could make any argument that Cally doesn't belong on the USA roster, especially if it was in trade for Okposo...

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

let's not forget that Derek Stepan and John Carlson won gold in 2010 at the WJC against Canada. They have experience on a big stage in international play.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

USA out at the WJHC. Lost to Russia in the QF. Saw a stat that they're PP started the tourney 17 for 21, then went 0 for 11.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGT74-9WRgI

An update to the viral video of the little Wild fan.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

After the Commies scored an empty-netter on you Yanks;
http://twitpic.com/dqyf7p

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Of course, the post was needling but Stepan hasn't been hurt this year (you thought he has missed time????) and Callahan surely belongs on the team. Every team can use a guy like Cally.

As far as they are better than KO would ever be, that's laughable. They're all different players. You don't want watch every Islander game and it's apparent, that, for whatever Okposo has finally "gotten it". Power forwards don't always develop fast but luckily the Isles didn't give up on like they did a Bertuzzi.

I'm only annoyed since it was put out by Burnside that guys like Okposo wouldn't be considered down the line. How dumb is that?

I know team USA built a "team" and since, KO wouldn't be on the top 2 lines, he is not a checker and won't be killing penalties, etc. I never thought he'd make it, though numbers and play in the last year suggests he kind of warranted it.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Isn't it awbvious? For da girls.
I started reading but didn't finish. Got a little fed up.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

So do Erik and Jack Johnson... In the Olympics.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Hey if you guys were interested in reading that HS hockey story I was working on, it's in today's paper: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/s...ca61a4c65.html

I asked the one kid about playing with the Briere's and he completely lit up haha. It was hilarious.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

And you need a couple hours to read the whole thing.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

This is true. But Erik Johnson hasn't really lived up to expectations and Jack Johnson has had an up and down year.

Personally, I would have taken Jack Johnson and Keith Yandle over Carlson and Faulk.

But that's just me.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Stepan missed time from signing late with the Rangers. Not significant time so fair enough. And of course I don't watch every islanders game haha, I am an Engineering major, until the break I had only watched two full Rangers games this season lol.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

So I posted this in the old thread back on March 25.

UPDATE: So we probably have about 30 games or so under our belt between a spring/summer season and now our ongoing fall/winter season.

I am having a BLAST! We do stink, because as I mentioned, a bunch of us are playing ice for the first time. We've sprinkled some good players in and get some decent subs when necessary. I think we finished with one win in that summer season in 12 games or so. And we have 1 win in 11 games (1 OT loss!) so far this season.

As for me personally. I'm Mr. Utility on the team since I have one of the better hockey senses on where to be defensively. So it kind of stinks to not have a set position and keep working on getting better at one thing. But I like the badge of being a responsible one that the others can depend on. So I've rotated every position except for 'tender.

My skating continues to improve but for whatever reason, and this makes 0 sense since I don't mind going down to block shots and things like that, I still haven't taught myself how to stop properly. It's not like I should be afraid of falling since I have all of the gear on and because of the aforementioned. But I still need to get over that mental hurdle.

I've potted 6 goals in 11 games during this current season which ties for the team lead! I'm all about team, but I'll take that stat as a sign of I'm getting better.

So fun hanging with the guys every 6-10 days. Good times.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Kev, where do you play?

Also, is the league a checking one?

A couple of weeks ago I had a dream about playing hockey. I haven't played in a game since grade school, and suddenly I'm really itching to get back on the ice and play--not just skate.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Up in Warminster at BC Ice. (Formally Faceoff Circle)

Not a checking league but gets a tad physical every now and then. Depends on the game/team you're playing.

I don't think you live close to me though.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Oh my fucking God! KISS to perform at the LA Stadium Series game!!!!