Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Any of 2-6 could be top 5. If anything Malkin is too low. For me, Giroux should be 6. Love Giroux but he's not as much of a beast or scorer as Malkin or Stamkos, and I think those guys are much more dominant at even-strength. Though the one thing I have against Malkin is he is a C that sucks at faceoffs.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

There is much more to hockey than scoring.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

That would definitely be neat to see. Also, it would be cool to see where the points came from. Not who voted, but where the Penguins voted for Giroux in regards to the rest of the league and such

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Haha wasn't that his argument for why Toews was better than Malkin?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I'd like to thank SJ and Carolina for winning last night. That is all.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Let's Go Flyers!!!

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Congratulations to Crosby for being able to get through an entire game without getting a concussion.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I'm embarassed to even show my face in here. :lol

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Man, the Avs really could've used two points against the Devils last night. Being about two games ahead of everyone in their conference, they pretty much need to win every game they play (and others need to lose a few as well) in order for them to make the show.

And how about Gabriel Landeskog, folks? Making a great bid for the Calder with his all-around play. Doesn't lead in points, but far and away the best all-around player from this year's rookie class. Plays a very mature game, has a bit of a chip on his shoulder (I've seen him go nose to nose with a few older and tougher guys already, and even got his first fight out of the way), logs PK minutes, and is showing some early leadership qualities.

At first, I was disappointed the Avs didn't draft a defenseman (Dougie Hamilton is who I wanted). The crow is now on my plate.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Peter Chiarelli had some strong words for the boys.

They have enough veteran stability on the roster that they should be able to turn it around, but man... sometimes it's tough to get out of those holes. They haven't responded well to the loss of Horton.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Hamilton>Landeskog ;)

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

:lol Time will tell, my friend.

I've watched some clips of Hamilton, and I love his all-around game. Rob Blake Jr. The B's were smart to pick him up, and the timing is perfect. He could make the club as soon as next year, where he can learn from one of the game's best (Chara) for a few years before (hopefully) taking over. If everything goes correctly, it should be a seamless transition from Chara to Hamilton as the Bruins #1 defenseman.

All in all, these two will be pillars on their teams for a long time, me thinks.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I think the plan is to carry 7 defensemen the whole year next year. Have a serviceable 7th dman so they can pick and choose their spots on when they want to play Hamilton. He'll obviously struggle a bit so watching some games from the press box will be a good thing for him. I think they have to carry him for sure next year because he won't benefit much from another year in juniors. Before he got a 10 game suspension he was top 10 in scoring in the OHL as a defenseman.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

:thumbsup there comes a time in the development of a prospect where it really doesn't do any good to keep a guy off the roster.

But yes, with a defenseman you've gotta take it slow. Very few are able to make the leap in their rookie season. It takes time to adapt to the speed of the NHL game, the strength of the forwards, etc. He'll log some decent minutes, get some PP and PK time here and there, but the real growth will come off camera, just spending time with the boys in the room and in practice, seeing how the vets prepare for games, getting into a strong training regime, studying tape, etc. If all goes correctly, he'll really blossom by about his third season.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Following you both :thumbsup

Can't wait for the barrage of Pens tweets that will now be flooding my feed.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

ORLY?

Personally I think Malkin has to be ahead of Giroux mostly because of his track record. However, if Giroux continues putting up the kind of numbers he is this year while winning faceoffs and improving his defensive game, then he could certainly become the 2nd-best player in the NHL.

Who said I thought Toews was better than Malkin?

Like I said, 2-6 is basically interchangeable. Just depends on how much importance you place on elite goal-scoring compared to forwards who play very strong defense and win faceoffs.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Read > both. :thumbsup

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Daigle > All

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Except I was serious. :)

Edit: And biased.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Patrick Stefan trumps all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1Z9UspUHqg

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

^ Incredible highlight. I watched that live back when I used to have the CI Package. Unbelievable the odds of all of that having to happen. Overlooked in that whole thing is the whiff by the Oilers defenseman on the initial pass that allows Stefan to steal it.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

That man right there, and sorta that play, symbolize the entire history of the Atlanta Thrashers. One big whiff.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvw04W98yiM

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

THANK GOD!!

https://twitter.com/#!/freepwings/st...16820192444416

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

That's what I'm talking 'bout.

Although Patrick Stefan is right up there.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Daigle beats him out just because he was put in the same class as Joe Sakic, Pat Lafonatine, among others. Daigle was a major junior superstar and the fact that teams salivated over him, makes him the all-time bust.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I'm seriously starting to worry about Toews.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Agreed. If only he had Fata and OMGCG with him...

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Just looked through the box score of last night's Pens/Rags game. Kind of overshadowed in all of the Crosby hooplah was the return of Kris Letang, who quietly got an assist and was only a +5...

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Well.....yeah. Obviously any time a player gets a concussion you really never know how long it will take. What bothers me is that we don't really even know when he sustained it or on what play because I don't really remember him taking a really severe shot to the head.

Very similar to Bolland last year, it seems. Hope he will be back for the playoffs if the Hawks make it. Win in regulation tonight, please.