Re: The NHL Thread
 

Regardless though, you'd think they would offer it in a team he actually played for like the Blues, Flames, Stars, Wings or even the Coyotes!!!!

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Well if they were gonna do that, you'd think they'd also choose a number he wore for more than the last season of his career.

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Yeah, Bobby Hull makes perfect sense but the item name is "NHL Chicago Blackhawks Brett Hull #9 Heroes Of Hockey Jersey" - amazon really needs an editor for this type stuff. It is like selling a Red Sox Mickey Mantle Jersey!!!

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Per McKenzie: Babcock will fly from DET to TOR tomorrow a.m. Contract is 8 yrs, $50 miilion total value. There is no out clause. His title is Head Coach.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yeah, there is that too. :lol

The funny thing is when the Hawks game finally ended last night I was so beat and tired I saw that and thought to myself 'did he maybe play a few games in Chicago to end his career or something?' - I actually had to look up his stats to be sure even though I was 99.99% positive he never wore a Hawks jersey. :)

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Apparently Holland said he "owes it" to Blashill to talk to him first about the Wings coaching vacancy. Oh, really Ken? You think? That's news?

News would be if they hire anyone *but* Blashill.

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Yeah, they 100% meant it as a Bobby Hull sweater. When I first opened your link I was like, "what's the big deal? It's just a normal Bobby Hull sweater." Wasn't until I read the description that I was like, "oh, Amazon..." :lol

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I read his post that said Brett, clicked the link, and for some crazy reason, Bobby never even crossed my mind. And my name is Bobby. I have zero idea how I missed that. As soon as you said it, I felt like a complete moron.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Nah, no need to feel like a moron. Bobby's a couple generations old now for most of us. My dad's a big fan, so I probably know more about Bobby than I do Brett!

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Finally on a computer after an all day retreat. Typing this shit on my phone has been rough....here we go.

I do wonder this a bit from his point of view and the Wings. I said the other day, he's been here 10 years, is his message getting lost, or will it somewhere in years 11-15? He's done almost all he can do here. Sure they could make some tweaks and have a chance to win it in the next couple of years, but maybe Blash can do it too. He is Mike Jr.
I'm really ok with it. He was my first option for sure but I also didn't want to lose Blash. And what if his message got stale and in 2 years they miss the playoffs and then you lose a possible good young coach. I said earlier, glad he's there and not Buffalo cause I think it's going to be a longer road in TO so...
It's a huge risk. But it's all about money, there is no doubt. Because when you level the playing field and say if Leafs, Wings and Sabres were all offering 5 years and 5mil per do you still take the Leafs? No way. It's Detroit or Buffalo.
TO does it right. Hire the coach and then hire a GM later... /sarcasm. No idea if it will work, but it'll make for a interesting dynamic.
This is why he signed him to a 3 year deal last summer. Blash makes $400k a year as an AHL head coach. Most make 100-150. Nooooo he wasn't trying to keep him here in case Mike left...no. The only way he doesn't get the job, is if Scotty Bowman says.."ya know I wanna come back."

My biggest question, does the Stephen Weiss + whatever else for Dion trade not go down now? I thought it would for sure happen but does Mike really want Weiss up there? Granted Weiss was behind the 8-ball here and would have a clean slate there, but still makes me wonder. Detroit is one of the few teams that can take on Dion.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

plus the Toronto media is rabid when it comes to hocqui... maybe Babs gets off on that? I dunno.

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He seems to hate it. It'll be interesting to see how he deals with their crazy questions.

What now for Sabres. No Babs and no McLellan and Blashill will be Detroit.

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Tim Murray will name himself head coach, I bet.

Just kidding... maybe Richardson or Bylsma?

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sabres are really ticked off, reports have come out saying they thought they had a deal in principle with Babcock two days ago. Were ready to have a press conference on Monday.

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He prob. just used the Sabres for leverage :(

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I don't think he used them as leverage, I think the Leafs did what the Leafs do. Throw money at the problem. Plus the way things were going down last night and today, nothing screams deal in principle.

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so who is this Tyler Johnson?

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Tyler Johnson has 12 goals in 16 playoff games. Puck movement on that last one was gorgeous.

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Why couldn't Lundqvist give up 10 goals in 2 games against the Caps?!?! :BANG

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That was everything I love about hockey in 10 seconds

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This game has been bananas.

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And yet, the PBP announcer sounds like he's reciting a routine bible passage in Sunday School while half-asleep.

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Good avatar for this post

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Honestly, my avatar is the reason I went with bananas instead of another adjective. :lol

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Well that ended quicker than last night in Overtime.

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Would have liked a NY/Chi finals.

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Poor Rangers

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Didn't watch tonight's game. Was watching the scores pop up. Don't really need to see highlights to know we are f*cked in this series. We are never going to win a high scoring series. The scores of the last two games sum up why I didn't want to play Tampa these playoffs.

I hope NY can figure it out and they have proved me wrong before, but my better judgment says Tampa in 5.

For those who did watch...is it Cam Talbot time? Or would it not matter who was in net?

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Not Talbot time. Though Lundqvist was bad tonight.

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Kucherov game winning goal was soft. If Tampa scores 3 in the first 20-30 Game 4, Talbot will be in


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: The NHL Thread
 

You back to your #1 again. He's a world class goalie and he's gotten you this far.

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I'm surprised you didn't throw out, "hey Sal, what did you think of Bobby when you watched him play". Lol.

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I'm gonna go ahead and adopt Tyler Johnson as my temporary favorite NHL player

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have the rangers forgotten that defense and grit have what's gotten them here?
every time i look up our pairings are falling over each other.
if you would've told me we score 9 vs the lightening over 3 games and are down 2-1 i would've taken those odds.
had you told me we give up 13 over 3, I would've laughed at you.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Mine too. And I haven't a minute of the series yet. Drove through the whole game last night I knew the wife wanted no part of listening to that.

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All of this. Part of me thinks the speed of TB just has the Rangers at a loss for answers on D.

I think Talbot deserves a start Friday after the season he had and how poorly Hank played last night. The president's trophy isn't NYs if not for Cam, guy deserves at least one playoff start.

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You have to leave your star player in, in this situation. A win Friday, gives us a great shot at going back to TB up 3-2. Hank needs the confidence of a road win after getting lit up in back to back games.

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:lol at people bitching at hank.

he had already stopped a breakaway in OT. with the way the rangers played in front of him they're lucky they didn't lose 7-4 in regulation.

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Not so much bitching at Hank as it is having confidence in Cam.

That said, I would go back to Hank. I honestly just feel like Tampa is a bad match up for NY and it is unfortunate we had to play them. Just like Boston was a bad match up for us two years ago. Fully expect Tampa to roll through this series.

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you had no confidence in them against the caps either.

i think this series is going 7. they lost by 1 goal last night in OT on the road, not the end of the world.

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agreed it's also going 7, but for different reasons.

Both goalies have looked rough.
I have more confidence in Hank pulling it together than Bishop being stellar.
If the Rangers can limit TB to < 3 goals per game, that's a win, and plays in our favor.
Our guys are scoring, and getting better chances than in the Caps series.

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ya Bishop has been very suspect for these entire playoffs

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there are ads to visit COLUMBUS all over the metro here in DC.
big NIG

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:lol i heard from someone i know in the mayors office that they were starting an ad campaign.

been praying every night that it wouldnt be an embarrassment

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i'll try to snap a photo on the way home if i give a damn.

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I considered reminding everyone how you used to babysit Brett Hull when he was a kid. ;)
I think I might be the only person that's really excited about this for both Babcock and the Leafs. :lol
What's amazing to me is [on paper] the Rangers have far and away the best top 6 in the league. I mean...
McDonagh - Girardi
Yandle - Staal
Boyle - Klein
Any one of those could be a top pairing on any team (OK, maybe a second pairing on some of the good teams). But they just can't keep up with the Lightning. It's crazy to me. I know all-stars playing together isn't always a formula for success, but I honestly thought I'd see better from the Rangers D. It's not even that they're playing well and the Lightning are playing better. That happens. But not here. They're just making poor decisions.

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I really believe it is just the match up. I know I never have confidence in my team, but they also never win Cups lol.

I am having a hard time even watching games this post season because it is causing me too much stress and anxiety haha. Need to keep reminding myself it is just a game that has no impact on my life.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Holy fuck I love Mike Babcock. The guy is a boss.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I feel you, man. My wife has commented to me before how I'm completely different when I'm watching Avs games than when I'm watching any other two teams. Apparently, I'm more irritable and prone to being a dick when the Avs are playing and not doing well (which is most of the time).

Thankfully, the Avs haven't played in very many meaningful games over the past decade.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

My girl has said the same thing. She knows how much it means to me, but she also has her limits. :lol

One of the negatives to come of the Rangers being good is that I don't enjoy watching the playoffs as much. When NY used to just miss the playoffs all the time I would watch as many games as I could to and loved watching. Ever since the Rangers have become a normal playoff team it is more like work than fun. I am constantly stressed and easily annoyed. I believe all of that would change with a Cup. I tried to convince my self last years run would be enough...but anything short of a Cup is not.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

No, that is an overreaction. First and foremost Tampa is just damn good, hell that OT winner last night we placed so perfectly that no goalie could have stopped it It was a wrist shot rocket right into the top corner above his blocker. Second the Rangers defense looks awful. They cannot seem to win faceoffs and even if t hey do they cough the puck up. They dick around with the puck way too much in their own zone and sometimes when they do not have the puck they appear to be skating around like chickens with their heads cut off. On one Tampa goal I counted 3 Rangers screening him from the guy with the puck who noticed the idiocy and flipped it in and Lundqvist had no chance at all. Sure he did not play his best game last night but he also did make some good saves. The Rangers are still in this series and going back to MSG, they need Lundqvist out there and their D needs to get their heads out of their asses - show them hours of tape of how D pairings like Keith/Seabrook run a defense....

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Leafs offered 10 years at first? WTF? I can't see this team being as patient as they need to be, it's not in their nature. Within a year or two they'll be throwing money at some mid-level free agent.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I'm not so sure.

I don't see Babcock as the guy that's willing to cut corner and I have the same feeling for Shannahan. One of the things Babcock noted was a conversation he had with Tannenbaun, "When things go bad. Like really bad. and it's hard and hurts. When it's brutal. Are you sure you're going to stick to the plan? Are you sure. Positive? Absolutely Positive?"

That was buy in from me.


It's not about coaching a mid level team to get into the playoffs. It's about building a contender. A perennial Stanley Cup runner. That takes time. It'll only get worse before it gets better and it sounded like Shanny made sure Babcock knew that and Babcock wouldn't come over, commit for 8 years if that wasn't the case.

If they fuck it up - it fucks up Babcocks legacy. That guy seems like a guy who gives a shit about his legacy.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I'm sure they want to do it, but Burkie probably wanted to do it right too but he wasn't given that shot. I mean look at what he's doing in Calgary. Maybe I'm wrong but I wouldn't put faith in the franchise as a whole to be patient. It most likely will get worse before it gets better. I mean 20mil tied up in #'s 3, 15 and 81. That's a lot and tough to move. Especially Lupul. Coyotes even won't want that. I just wonder where people's head will be at after a couple years of that. Again, just basing it off the past. They'll have to prove me wrong.

I think I said earlier, probably means the Dion for Weiss deal will be off unless Babs wants to give Weiss a chance in TO, that he didn't here. Granted that was because other guys had played well and none of them were coming out or being bumped down. Dion needs to get out of TO. Both for the team and for him. Curious to see how that plays out (if at all) this summer.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

From my buddy:

"so i have a theory about this babcock deal. theres an inside joke going around with NHL exces... the big name on the market signs with TO... makes a shitload of money... tries to run the team farther into the ground than the last guy
so the babcock/shanny combo is like a voltron of leaf fuckery. burke started the whole thing."

Re: The NHL Thread
 

the rangers are like a heavyweight boxer, but who is too slow for a middleweight boxer (lightning).

this series isn't on Hank though. He's gotten no support in terms of a committed D. The Rangers can't skate with the Bolts. They need to tighten up.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

When they do that all they seem to accomplish is getting in Lundqvist's way!!!!!

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Seems like the Rangers just need to take a step back and get back to playing fundamental hockey again. Everyone playing their positions, focusing on sticking to the system, etc. Seems simple, but makes such a difference. Everyone on the Rangers seems to be trying to do too much and they find themselves getting in trouble. Defensemen: Make a strong breakout pass, then patrol that effing blue line. No pinching, no end-to-end rushes. Just focus on defensive hockey. In your zone, follow the classic rule of always have a guy in front.

Getting back to basics reorients and also calms. Once they've achieved that, that calm and focus will help them know when the correct time is to make that rush, pinch in, etc.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Exactly, I would also point out that someone needs to remind them that CLEARING THE FUCKING PUCK OUT OF THE ZONE is fundamental defense 101 as well - aka don't dick around with it 10 feet in front of your own goal!!!!!!

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Larkin going pro and will join Grand Rapids for the playoffs. I thought he'd stay another year at UM but...whatever.

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Hell, like I said have them watch hours of video of how well Keith and Seabrook can play fundamental defense!

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Don't think I ever blamed Hank and definitely put it on the D. Just said I think the goalie who played a big role in the team's regular season success deserves a playoff shot.

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This is so true. Once the playoffs started, I thought there was no one in the east who could get through our D. TB skating and passing through it like it's made of swiss cheese. Crazy part is it's not just one guy, all of them have been beat on one play or another.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Right. Like I was saying, strong break out pass. That's it. No dicking around. Of course, that also means the forwards need to be in position too, which they've also had problems with.

Wingers, get your asses on the boards. D-men, make the strong pass up the boards. No floaters. Chris Pronger style.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Blackhawks apparently scratching Vermette and, more importantly, Teuvo for fucking Versteeg and Nordstrom...what in the fucking fuck?

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I hate Q sometimes....

I really do.

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2 straight Conference Finals that he just refuses to play his best lineup. Meanwhile, Bickell turning it over like he's got money on the Ducks.

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Probably should be a 2 minuter but as a hawks fan I'm not too mad about it

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The best.

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So apparently Vermette's wife may be in labor. Of course none of the Hawks joke beat writers are even remotely tracking on this or willing to confirm or deny. Still doesn't explain TT.

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Q is an idiot. Only explanation for playing Nickell/Nordstrom/Desjardins/Versteeg over TT. Lol what the fuck man so frustrating

Re: The NHL Thread
 

That's poor family planning, though I guess he was a Coyote to begin the season and may not have thought that he'd be playing in late May, still.

Of course, I can't get the game on in the b&b room here in CVille. They don't get the channel.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Q deserves that loss. Not surprising that the team only scores one goal after the fucking coach dismantled what, may have been, their most successful line. Also took a historically bad C that just had a great game at wing and put him back at C...

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yep. Fire Q. Puts in Nordstrom over TT. Pretty hilarious. And then plays him 6 mins.

And even then the Hawks play pretty well, but could be dominating this medicore Anaheim team if Q would actually put the best players on the ice.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

100%

I really don't understand what the fuck he was thinking.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

lol at saying Anaheim is a mediocre team.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Seriously is ridiculous. Stan Bowman needs to have a word with this guy if these guys aren't hurt. Ok, if Vermette's wife is having a child that's fine. But that's the only excuse.

When you have the advantage of being in control of the line matchups and you are putting Kane & Richards out against Kesler.....fucking fail.

Credit to Frederik Andersen for just playing outstanding but it's pretty unfortunate that Q decides to dismantle the team that swept through the Wild in order to play replacement level NHL players (Nordstrom) over legit players with real talent (Teuvo).

Re: The NHL Thread
 

bron gonna bron.

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Nope Bron is right this time.....other than mediocre team Anaheim is not mediocre.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yep. Because what I said is wrong. Try again.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol :lol :lol

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These last two years Q has refused to play the best players at times.

Just really really strange.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I can't wait to hear the Blackhawks' cock lapping beat writers try to explain Carcillo's inclusion in the lineup next game.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Son of a bitch bastard. I hate the Ducks! Perry is overrated as shit, he is nothing more than a screener and cherry pickey who is a dick. I hope the Hawks flatten his ass. As for that motherfucking, cheating, cocksucking prick Cogliano I hope he gets hit so hard his career ends. Fucking asshole, god I hate that prick and hope his career ends Saturday!

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol Quite a melt here by some of the irrational Hawks fans. It's 2-1. Relax. If Anaheim is so mediocre, you got this in the bag.....

Re: The NHL Thread
 

If Carcillo plays next game I will lose my mind....

Will be worse than the fact that there is a solid chance the Ladies will be ruining my show while the game is going on.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

happy for Despres. What an awful trade that was for the pens.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Not sure what is irrational about being angry about a coach putting in two shitty players instead of the players who have gone 6-1 at least in the last 7.

It is not like we had this reaction after the game. We stated this before the game even started.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Is it surprising at all that Nordstrom had like 7m TOI, but was -2?

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Hell yeah Ducks. Anaheim def not mediocre. I'll admit I thought they were too but after two and a half rounds of playoffs they've been anything but that.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Of course it is DON'T BE IRRATIONAL

end my melt

Re: The NHL Thread
 

2 wins away from a Ducks vs. Lightning finals :lol

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Drip, drip


















:lol:

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Well backreading this thread has been fun tonight. :popcorn

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I am the most easy going person you will meet, that said sports and politics bring out the absolute worst in me - all venom. I want people like Perry, Harry Reid, Cogliano or Nancy Pelosi put in comas or paralyzed they are such fuckfaces.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

and PS - to hell with your Flyers, I hope they never win anything again - that is coming from a former Whalers fan. :)

Re: The NHL Thread
 

This would be ideal

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Not for the NHL. While most of us in here would watch, not many people in either country would.

I gotta love the Canadian media giving themselves like a pat on the back over the Babcock stuff. Saying things like "If Detroit really wanted to keep him they could have" or "You don't offer $30mil less than some of the other guys, if you REALLY wanted to keep him." Detroit wasn't going to break the bank for this guy, everyone knew it. Add into the fact they have Blashill in the AHL who 8 teams have asked to talk to in the last year, they weren't going to. What a guy like him is worth to a team like Detroit and to teams like Buffalo or Toronto, is night and day. When your first offer to a coach is a 10 year deal, when most get 4 or 5, what is the word that describes you in that scenario? Desperate. I do hope Toronto turns it around because right now they feel good that they had to offer $30mil and 3 more years to get a coach and that's sad coming from a once proud franchise.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

1. Oh yeah I know the ratings would be terrible, especially when the alternative is Hawks/Rags. And I don't really want the sport to rate badly. But Ducks/Bolts sounds great to me. I love me some underdogs and random teams.

2. Canada gonna Canada, honestly. You hit the nail on the head with the term desperate. That's exactly right.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

To one, yeah I think it would be great. The last time the Ducks were in the finals, I'll be honest, barely watched it. The Sens were blah, and you knew it would be over quick. This one should be good. The bigger tougher Ducks against the quick flashy Lightning.

To two, yeah I know, just funny. I'd take TSN's coverage and stuff over anything in the US but when they (all the networks) do stuff like this..it's just ugh. When Grapes does it, you just accept it, but when reporters do it.... I listened to Mirtle (who I like) from a show yesterday where he said TO was logical over Buffalo....what? That's not where my logic took me. Eichel and Reinhart ALONE are better than anything TO has right now. Hey good for TO but lets not act like because he chose them because they have everything going for them. They offered the most money and term and Shanny obviously was able to sell him on his plan at least a little.