Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Made Hejda look like PK Subban out there. Beautiful.

My first thought was to scream "LOOK AT THE CREST!" to Hej (he was looking down at the puck), but... man, I don't think it would've made much of a difference. Saucy goal by Kaner.

Dutch's wasn't bad either.
I thought he looked ok... was wheeling like always, but seemed like the swagger wasn't what it normally is for his game. Same thing with MacKinnon tonight.

Gabe's poke check at the end there on Sharp was a thing of beauty and probably what sealed the game.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

The Hawks honestly just seem tired of the regular season...and I can't say I blame them. Hjalmarsson came on air between the first and second period talking about how disappointed they all were in the effort during the first, and I agree entirely. Keith came out sloppy on his first couple shifts, and the overall effort just wasn't there.

Never count out young guns like Colorado in the playoffs. They have the exact makeup to be "that" team this year that shocks everyone with some upsets. If they can get some defenseman in the next couple years...yikes. Scary.

Also...88 was by far the best skater tonight. Guy was making plays happen everywhere. It's so awesome to watch him every single night. I love that freaking guy.

This should be fun in this sub in April!

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

You know I'd normal disagree with you...but fuck. What is the fascination with Brookbank at wing? You're seriously telling me he's more worthy of 4 minutes on the ice than Morin? I don't fucking get it.

I know it sounds awful, but I keep secretly hoping Handzus has some sort of minor injury that keeps him out 8-10 weeks. He single handedly kills rushes up and down the ice by being so slow and just not seeing things like he used to. He's not exactly in Jagr shape.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Honestly, I think the standard should be pretty high.

I know we're not NBA guys here, but I think it's hilariously wrong for a guy like Zydrunas Ilgauskas to have his number retired.

You should be at the very least in the discussion to be a Hall of Famer, but I'd say in the Hall of Fame should be a given.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

I'm not sure I totally agree with that. I think a player can do enough for a given franchise to earn a jersey retirement, but maybe not necessarily be a hall of famer. A damn good player sure, but not absolute HOF.

We'll look at the Caps (since it's easy for me). Currently, they have 4 retired numbers, which is way way too many for a team that's never won a cup and only been to the finals once (and only one of the retired numbers even played on that team). The numbers are Rod Langway (5), Yvon Labre (7), Mike Gartner (11) and Dale Hunter (32). I believe of those, only 5 should be retired. Possibly Garts, but while he played 10 seasons in DC, which is the most of any of the 6 (?) teams he played for, he actually spent more time with other franchises while in the NHL. As much as I like Dale Hunter, I don't think he earned a jersey retirement. It doesn't make sense to me why Labre is retired.

To spin that into my point about the Hall of Fame, obviously Langway and Gartner are in it, so that goes against my point. However, I am a firm believer that both Peter Bondra and Olaf Kolzig should have their numbers retired in Washington. I do not, however, believe that either player is a hall of famer. Again, damn good players, but HOFers? Maaaaaybe Bonzai. Not Olie certainly.

So to sum, I think there's three absolutely deserved retired numbers in Washington (5, 12, 37) and only one of those is a hall of fame player. The problem now is the Caps would look stupid with 6 retired numbers, and since you can't un-retire a number, I don't think anyone else goes up until 8 goes up, and that's a crime in my opinion

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...nts-slapping-5

Just came across this. Pretty good fight in a semi-pro game that ends in the two guys high fiving and hugging it out :lol:lol

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Well, thanks. I look at my Islanders fandom as a marriage. It's a life sentence. For better or worse, richer or poorer. In this case, a lot worse and very poor, lol.

I started with the cup years and those players. When a love for a logo is created, it just doesn't go away. You heart aches and your desire for better days and consistently good teams never wanes but you stick with it. I love my Islanders.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Minor injury is 8-10 weeks? lol
Thank you for that.
I think it varies by team. TO has so many good players over their long history, they don't retire, they just honor. I think it's what you've done for a particular franchise. I kinda think you have to be there for a while too. Avs retiring Bourque just made no sense to me. He was there a year and a half, not even really. Yes he helped but are the Wings gonna retire Hasek or Hull? No. In saying that surprised Wings haven't retired 14 for Shanny, but I'm not sure they do. You think they would have done it by now. While he wasn't what Lidstrom and Yzerman were, he was the last big piece to end the Cup drought.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

I give you a lot of credit for sticking with them. Especially with how the franchise is run. I understand though, I'm still a Lions fan. Wonder why sometimes but...still cheering them.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

As an Islander's fan, I certainly do not want to see a piece of shit like Hunter have his number retired. I will never get over what he did to Turgeon in the 93 playoffs. I know his long tenure and value to all those Caps' teams and the franchise put him up there but I could care less. I hate the guy.

Bondra is a HOF. Didn't he have close to most goals in the 90's or over a certain 10 year period. I know he killed my Islanders all the time. A pure sniper when not a lot of goals were being scored. I agree in that his number should be retired for you guys.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Yeah, Hunter did some unremarkable stuff throughout his career. That's why I have a hard time getting behind him completely. I think he's held in much higher regard in DC than he's actually worth. He was an agitator of the best kind and a big time leader in their locker room. Played a great defensive game. But does being primarily known for that earn a jersey retirement? I don't think so

I'd like to think Bondra is a HOFer. I just don't know. He did hit 500 and was one of the best pure goal scorers in the 90s. The big hold back is the lack of post season success. Guys have gotten in with less I guess. I do definitely think the Capitals should retire. Shoulda happened a while ago in my opinion. Though no one has worn 12 since

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Gartner, who is for sure a hall of famer, didn't do much in the playoffs either. Got out of the 2nd round only once. While playoff success is always mentioned if a player never does anything, it shouldn't matter in HOF stuff.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

I agree with all of this.
I started thinking about this because my buddy and I were talking about how pathetic the rafters were at Nationwide the other night. The only thing hanging there are banners of the corporate sponsors :lol I started wondering if there was anyone currently in the organization that even has a chance of approaching that status.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

My thing with HOF though, if you have to question wether or not a guy should get in, the answer is probably no

I think Bondra might fit that

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Somewhat surprising Shanny's number is not retired, though they may have wanted to wait til Lidstrom's was retired and kind of go in "order" for those teams. With their long history, they have a lot of numbers retired already.

With the Islanders, the only non HOFer (though, to me, Gillies is a border line HOFer) retired number is Nystrom. I sort of understand why he is retired. He played a long time with the team, was such a heart and soul player that stuck up for all his team mates and, most importantly, scored the biggest goal in franchise history. The Nystrom award is annual award given to a member of the team. He has been a radio guy for the team and very much the off ice face of the franchise in the community for a really long time.

I think you need to be a HOF player or have a link to the franchise like a Nystrom did or Daneyko and Foote did with their teams.

It is an honor that should be bestowed upon only the very best and elite member of a franchise.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Which is the Rangers trading Gartner was a big factor in them winning the Cup. Felt bad for Gartner but they likely don't win the Cup without that trade. In hindsight, I guess I wish they kept him.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

One of the best pure goal scorers of an era in hockey, to me, doesn't have a question. To me, he is in. No doubt in my mind. Saw him in person many times as I went to many games in the 90's, especially during my college days when my student ID got me in for 1/2 off so for $7.50 for the uppers, we were in the door and then sat wherever.

lol, sorry for triple post. Off today and laying on the couch, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

But how should that be defined? Gartner is a clear HOFer who had most success with the Caps, but was successful elsewhere also and wasn't even a Cap for half of his career. Yet his number is retired, which I kind of disagree with honestly

How much affiliation does a team need with a HOFer to earn a jersey retirement?

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

adam oates should have his retired simply because he has to put up with ovie everyday

and he was hilarious to watch on the ice

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

:thumbsup I really do hope he gets in one day. Bondra is my all time favorite player

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Oates is another interesting one. Does he REALLY deserve a retirement anywhere? Clear HOFer who played big roles in lots of cities. But enough in any of those to get retired? Maybe St Louis?

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

it's rare to see such a successful journeyman

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Yeah he's a good example. Easily a HOFer but he wasn't anywhere too long. Boston would never retire it, but his best year was there. 142 points. Then I think 102 the next year. Still the dumbest trade the Wings ever did. But for all the bitching fans do about that, I wouldn't change anything cause I think it turned out ok.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

But 10 HOF seasons where he was all star many times and franchise star along with Langway is a big deal. I would be fine if his jersey wasn't retired by the Caps but no problem that it is. He accomplished a lot there and since the Caps have not been around forever, retiring his number gives the franchise some history and legacy to be proud of and looked back on.

Gretzky was only in LA for, what 7 or 8 years but his number is retired there. Now he did a ton for that team and I think that kind of tenure has to be the minimum unless something like an unfortunate death happens to a player who was destined to be a HOFer. So Gartner at 10 years is certainly good enough, imo.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Yes. I mean, why are you starting Raanta for the first time in forever in a huge game on the road. He let in 1 awful, awful goal that may have ended up being the difference. Just piss poor decision making. If you lose to COL and end up losing home ice against them first round because of this shit? Awful. What if you end up helping Colorado overtake STL and then have to face that devastating match-up in the first round? Yeesh.

Hawks once again had a solid possession/shots advantage only to lose somehow. I mean, Varlamov was a wall again absolutely. That's the only advantage Colorado has against Chicago, though.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

To be fair, his number is retired everywhere.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

True but I would guess the Kings did it first. He was the first person I could think of who had that minimum tenure I had in mind that also had a huge impact in the time he was there.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

I think what he meant is that 99 actually hangs in the building in LA

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

They did it before Edmonton? Either way yeah Gretz in LA makes sense for the short tenure. He put LA on the map for hockey. That's the biggest impact a player has had on a franchise without winning a Cup.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

No did it before NHL retired it. Get some coffee, lol.

And yes, he had the greatest impact any player had on the NHL, too. No way we have teams in Anaheim and SJ without him, let alone Phx, Dallas, etc.

Off to food shop and errands. Back later to continue this.