Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Melrose just redid his Stanley Cup Finals prediction and he has Hawks-Bruins.


I'm not going to say who he picked to win.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Plus he's openly expressed his hatred for a couple Caps players, Semin in particular.

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:lol:lol:lol:lol

Brutal.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Wow he's getting bold with that pick.

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Stuff like that is very overblown. Once a guy is traded it all changes.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Going on the road tomorrow boys and girl! Seeing the Flyers game in Nashville! Whhhooooo Waaaaaaaaa!!!!

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

karma is a bitch. buh-bye!

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Good to see Brouwer got his first career hat trick last night

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JVR out with a concussion. :(

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

What's the opinion of most Flyers fans on JVR's play this year? He got a pretty nice contract in the off season and only has 22 points so far this year. I was expecting more after watching him the the playoffs last year.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

He's hurt. He has an abdominal tear or a hip problem, we don't know why he's still playing. I think he needs surgery.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Ah I wasn't aware of that. If he can maintain the level of play he was at in the playoffs his contract will be a discount imo.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Obviously, outside of Thomas, he was the best player on either team in that series. He evoked flashes of vintage Lindros (with his head up..ohhhhh). The guy was all over the place, but this injury he has really limits his speed.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Hell of a game going on in Detroit right now.

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Holy hell have we been outplayed this OT.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Felt that coming the entire OT.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Not sure about this. Krejci had 9 points in that series.

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Detroit and Chicago have played 3 times and each team has gotten 4 points. These are the top 2 teams in the West, if you're asking this guy.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

You have to put Vancouver in the discussion. If Luongo doesn't fall apart they're a very difficult team to beat.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Obviously the concussion has been a problem but if you look at it this way, he's still only 22. Also, he played college, which I think can put players back a step as far as their growth in the NHL.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

True. But JVR just took over shifts. He dominated almost every time he was on the ice. Sure, Krejci had nine points, but against Boucher, Bobrovsky? It felt like JVR had scoring chances on the best goaltender in the league every time he was in the offensive zone.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Matt Read respectively replies, "Fuck you." :lol:lol:lol

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I thought JVR was by far the best player for the Flyers in that series. I guess it's tough to compare his performance with Krejci's due to the other factors.

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As long as Vingeault is the head coach and Luongo is the goalie, I would never trust Vancouver to mentally be able to make it through a series against either the Hawks or Wings, especially this year. Hawks had no business being in that series last year, and almost made it one of the biggest comebacks in all of sports. Hawks are better this year, and the Canucks aren't as good as last year. The way I see it, they are a level below the Wings and Hawks.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

They were within 1 win of the Stanley Cup last year. I also think they're mentally weak but you can't discount the fact that they've made a run in the past.

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I do not think they have enough to get through Detroit or Chicago this year. Right now I would rank the West:

Chicago/Detroit
Chicago/Detroit
Vancouver
San Jose
St Louis
LA
Nashville

and after that it doesn't really matter. Vancouver gets such a bonus being in the division that they are in, that it always makes it look like they are such a great team, even though last year they were very good. This could be the second year in a row that they are the only team from that division going to the playoffs, and the two years before that saw Colorado and Calgary getting knocked out in round one. I can just never buy into Vancouver, but I also only see them when they are mentally handicapped.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I should make the point that these are ranking teams with the best chances of winning the west, not where it stands right now. Obviously Vancouver is playing better right now, and have been for the past month than Detroit and Chicago.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Just got in from work. Good to see the Preds up 2 on the Flyers right now.

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Bob should have started.

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I thought that about the Wings early in the third.

Great game. Seemed like a great atmosphere at The Joe too. Almost like a playoff game.

Also have to say Datsyuk's pass to Bertuzzi on the breakaway goal was impressive.

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I would hate a series against Detroit, so much. If you guys can stay healthy and energized, which is really the only question, it would be a hell of a series.

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Ooh Leafs. Win 5 lose 2. You can do it!


Also, Twitter is supposedly running rampant with rumours about a trade between Anaheim and Toronto. I doubt it at this point as twitter is such bullshit and no major sources have come out and suggested it other than some producer dude from The Score, but just to entertain the thought, what would the deal looks like?

I assume if they were to trade one of the big three in Anaheim it would be Getzlaf or Ryan, from a Leafs perspective. Getzlaf makes the most sense. I think Anaheim is less likely to part with him.

What do you kind and educated hockey fans think? If it's One of the two what does a deal look like?

(Again, I feel it important to note that I don't believe this trade is imminent or it will even go down for that matter but I think it's fun to talk about.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I don't think the leafs have the young talent to get either. But is guess for either it'd have to be a package like Grabovski, Schenn, Kadri, and a first rounder. And even then I don't think its enough.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

It makes sense that it would be getzlaf going.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

and twitter is probably going crazy because Eklund said something....so that means nothing will happen.

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The Hawks aren't really a legit Stanley Cup contender right at this moment because their PK and PP are way too mediocre. One of those has to seriously improve for them to have a chance. Van is soft mentally, but they were 1 game away from a Cup last year, and they are the better team right now I think.

1st-unit PP really needs to get it together for the Hawks to excel.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

The Ducks desperately need secondary scoring. If a trade were to happen, say for Getzlaf, it would probably include Grabovski to take the center spot on the top line, and then a secondary scoring threat like MacArthur, who's quietly having a good year. Throw in a high draft pick, and I could see it happening.

I think Burke would be loathe to part with a guy like Schenn. He's rounding out into a cornerstone player for this team.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

If Detroit or Chicago were in Vancouver's place in that division, they would be damn near undefeated.

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Unfortunately this is far from the truth. We've lost twice to the Oilers, once to the Flames, and the Avs always seem to give us problems. The Hawks have had a pretty easy schedule so far.

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Great first period. Could have easily put up 5+ but 2 is good for now. No shell please.

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I think in order to move a guy like Getzlaf, you have to get a young guy like Schenn back.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Wild end to Hawks / Sharks

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Pretty telling game to be playing so many youngsters and be missing Sharp, and still outshoot the hottest team in the league the way we did. Loving this team.

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Very nice effort tonight. 25 has definetely turned a corner this year, he's always had the speed but he is making a lot better reads and is starting to finish as well. Love the way Shaw plays too. Bickell oughta enjoy the next 2 weeks with Sharp out because it will be his last few games this year.

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best bet for this team is Frolik leaving. Bickell is a 4th line player who makes 500k, and he plays that way. Frolik makes $2.67 mil and should be in the top 6 and we have to throw him on the 4th line. I cannot stand Frolik.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Frolik was an awful contract from the start. Had a decent playoff series vs VAN, no reason for Stan to give him that length or amount of contract when no one else in the league was pining for him. If anyone shows any interest in him you have to move that contract immediately.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

We took Frolik over Brouwer. That's where this is at right now. Ridiculous. Frolik is a much bigger problem than Bickell.

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Salary wise yes. Bickell just really brings nothing to the table.

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Frolik looks pretty terrible offensively right now, but at least he brings the effort every night. Bickell does not.

The guy scored 20 goals twice with Florida...don't know how that happened with his soft wrister. But he's not really hurting us because he plays solid defense and plays on the PK. His salary is a bit much, but it's not going to really prevent the team from making any moves. Mistake to give him that deal, but Stan looks like a freakin' genius for giving Stalberg 2 years at less than a million per right now.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Wasn't that simple.

We were able to get rid of Brouwer for Danault essentially, and we didn't eve know if Brouwer was coming back, or would have come back.

Yeah, they are making similar money, but Frolik was a PK guy that plays a much better 2-way game than Brouwer does. Yeah Troy can put the puck in the net, but bottom line, we got something back for a power forward that is as streaky of a scorer as there is in the league.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Brouwer can score but he floated with the best of them and had a pretty bad year last season. Frolik offers no scoring but we don't need it. I'll take Stalberg's speed over Brouwer.

Getting a late first-rounder for Brouwer (RFA) was awesome.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper_
#Leafs and #SJSharks are seriously talking big trade involving Clowe. #nhl

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Suter or Weber being traded at the deadline seems really unlikely with the way the Preds have been playing lately. The Central is going to send 4 teams to the playoffs this year.

Derek Roy would be perfect as the Hawks' #2 center.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Roy has been heavily rumored to be on his way to Chicago. Ice time for the Hawks will be interesting on Wednesday.

As far as the Preds blueliners, that's just what has been rumored. People apparently have been asking about them, and Nashville has been listening. Suter is the more likely move, obviously, especially considering he's an UFA at the end of the season. If they can't get him long term locked up, I'd be shocked if he were still in a Nashville sweater as seasons end. I know the Flyers have been in heavy talks with Nashville for his services.

Obviously that site is just putting together a list of names to watch out for, names that have been circling around the rumor mill. It's a good bookmark to make for the next month.

Honestly though, as far as the Hawks, I wouldn't be surprised to see Roy and Gleason in a Hawk sweater by the deadline. That's my guess.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yeah, I would love this. He comes pretty cheaply and would be here next year. Just thinking about top-2 lines of 25-19-88 and 10-9-81 is pretty awesome. Hawks have plenty of guys that are dispensable, IMO. I wouldn't mind giving up Shaw, Hayes, Morin, Smith...we have a lot of prospect depth and obviously not all of them are going to be Hawks forever.

At this point, though, I think Pirri could be the #2 C of the future and could play that position full-time next season so I think a d-man should be the priority.

Yeah, I mean it's going to be incredibly difficult for them to pay both Suter and Weber. But I think while they have both of them, they'll at least make a run at it this year. I think they'll trade Weber to Detroit in the off-season and re-sign Suter.

If the Flyers signed Suter, they would definitely be a worthy challenger to Boston in the East.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

The way the business is, I'm sure David Poile is certainly listening to talks involving his top two defensemen. That doesn't mean he's seeking a deal, but he'd be a fool not to at least listen to offers. There's two sides to the coin... Weber has the talent edge. IMO he's the best all-around defenseman in the league, and the captain of the team. That being said, he will obviously demand more cash and the one year deal he's on was reached only after arbitration... which could mean nothing, but could also imply disatisfaction.

Suter is nearly as talented. Very underrated, he could be THE #1 defenseman on quite a few teams. If the Preds are looking to save some cash, they could move Weber for assets and go forward with signing Suter to a smaller (albeit still lucrative) contract. On the other hand, they could still get a pretty good return for Suter.

Obviously, the plan will be to keep both, but this will be one of the more interesting stories to watch come deadline time.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

for you Disney fans, you can print these out and iron them on a blank tshirt.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread....6#post41552206

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I don't see Weber going anywhere. While they are generating interest in the sport in Nashville, I don't see them moving the biggest name they have. The guy literally fires pucks through the back of the net. He's a RFA and I see them matching any offer that he gets.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Derek Roy and Tim Gleason on the Hawks would blow my mind to smithereens.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Better be big. I like Clowe.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

and Derek Roy wouldn't wear 9 in Chicago....

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

D'oh on my part. That should've been obvious.

I honestly don't want to think about what number he'd wear now because I don't want to get my hopes up...

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Reports are that Stan's #1 priority is a d-man, which seems pretty obvious. If we can pair up Keith and Seabs, then Leddy and Gleason, and Hjalmarsson and Montador, we'd be so set back there. Obviously that's a pipe dream, but maybe someone will want to rent Connelly + another prospect and a draft pick or something.

Gleason would be a perfect fit, as would Roy. I really think Roy ends up here.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

but Roy has 1 more year after this. This would affect our cap in a pretty big way, no?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

We should be fine. Brunette, Carcillo, Mayers all gone most likely although I'd love Mayers back for one more year. If there is anyway to get rid of Frolik that needs to be done in a heartbeat.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I guess if you add Roy to the roster for next year and add Shaw, Kruger, and Hayes you still have close to $6 mil and you need 3 players and a goalie, and that's not including a cap bump, or getting rid of Frolik or Hammer.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Wooo Sabres!

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Right. Also, it's not a ridiculous cap hit. Gotta remember that we'd be dumping salary to add Roy as well. Pretty sure Bickell is seeing his last days as a Blackhawk, assuming we can find a suitor to take him (Buffalo wants size?).

Here's just a quick mock up of next year if we took on Roy (with a small bump to the cap):

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I really don't see the Flyers getting Suter. They have to give up a top 6 forward and I don't know who they would really give up.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

The fricking St Louis Blues are #1 in the West. What is this 2000? On the plus side Wings have won 15 in a row at home a new franchise record. I fully expect Holland to make a move at the deadline. You have the space and want to move yourself ahead of St Louis and Chicago. Would love Suter but they don't need D right now.in the offseason if Lidstrom retires then yes please. A top 6 forward would be great right now.

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https://twitter.com/#!/mirtle/status/159295468730449920

Yikes. I know they've had injuries but that's not their only problem. Money doesn't always buy you happiness I guess huh?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Me too. In my post I was trying to look at it from all sides, but I'm of the strong opinion that Weber will remain a Predator for a very long time. Like I said, he's the top all-around blueliner in the game IMO.
Suter would fit in well with the Wings system. As much as I hate to admit ANYONE would work well with the Wings... ;)

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

John Jaeckel, who is the blogger on hockeybuzz for the Hawks, sucks. I can't stand him. One thing is for sure though, he has a source or so up in Winnipeg who went over when Kevin Cheveldayoff went from the Hawks and became GM. Here is what he says about the Hawks talking to an Eastern Conference team, via his source:

"I am hearing about some specific conversations between the Hawks and at least one Eastern Conference club, involving possibly a veteran defenseman and/or a scoring winger, and/or a lower line center who is "tough to play against.""

So I'm trying to figure who this might be, if it is indeed Winnipeg. Think Oduya is the dman, but for the winger and center? I have no idea. I doubt the Hawks want Jim Slater, so the only other tough center they have is Bryan Little, which would be a sick pickup. The only scoring winger I can think of is Evander Kane, and I doubt Winnipeg wants to get rid of him. I wouldn't consider Blake Wheeler a scoring winger. It could be Carolina, which could mean Ruutu and Gleason, but I can't think of a scoring winger on Carolina that would want to be traded, or if this guy has a source there. Should be interesting the next few weeks because the Hawks are a few moves away from being real scary.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Sorry to post here- but does anyone know if there is a roster update planned for NHL 12 for ps 3 anytime soon?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

You win three in a row, thats called a winning streak.

Nice win by the Pens tonight, fun game to watch.

Orpik killed Skinner

http://www.thepensblog.com/tpb/jan20...f-skinner.html

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I disagree with the penalty call on orpik for that hit.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Glad the Preds showed up tonight.

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Really terrible game.

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I'll take the w. rangers allowed very few scoring chances outside of a flurry in the first. Textbook win though. Now, they just need to get that abortion of a pp going.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

ah oilers, blowing leads, losing hall in the warmup with 30 stitches needed in his face because of a collision with own teammates. The future might be bright and all that cliche stuff, but the now pretty much blows.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

well said. :shrug

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

great win tonight by the Flyers. Wild are really struggling offensively. Rushing into the zone is no big problem, but they are a mess without their captain out there.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yeah they are terrible right now. There are 5 legit teams in the West and 3 of them are in the Central. 2 of StL/Det/Chi are going to have to play in the 1st round which is unfortunate because that benefits Vancouver and SJ the most.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

winning the central division will be so huge, for whoever gets it because the two that don't will probably have to play each other

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

STL is due for a slide at some point. 9 game road trip coming up will decide our fate in the division.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Finally got home from Philly. Great win, Bryz looked confident and the highlight of the night was getting this: http://lockerz.com/s/175466479

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

A CHI/STL series in the first round of the playoffs would be a blood bath. No one would come out alive.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Sharks just had an OT goal disallowed due to "incidental contact with the goaltender." They only guy who incidentally contacted Kiprusoff was wearing a big red C.

Now we've got fights at the end of OT.

EDIT: Why isn't that reviewable, if they "want to get the call right"?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yay, Sharks win shootout. Now all is forgotten unless some playoff position comes down to SO wins.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Nice man :thumbsup

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Looks like it'll get announced a little early this year...

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index...._at_michi.html

I know where I'll be on 1/1/13... assuming that whole world ending thing doesn't happen. :)

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Came in here to congratulate you on this, my friend.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I'm excited. Comerica Park would be better for the city and Michigan Stadium is a little too big but won't have trouble getting tickets.

The alumni game could be pretty awesome. Yzerman, Hull, Shanny, Luc maybe, Fedorov, Larionov, Chelios, Murphy, Draper, Hasek, Osgood. Depending on when that one is might have to go to that too.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

For sure. Both sides would be stacked. Who knows if they could even get Howe to pull a Bernie Parent and come skate for a shift. The place would go nuts.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I'll bet a ton of leafs fans make the trip down. It wouldn't shock me to see a 60-40 crowd in favor of the wings for the game or something close to that.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Me neither. A lot of Leafs fans right here in Windsor always make the trip over. Joe Louis always has a pretty big number of Leafs fans in it.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I think that'd be awesome to see if they somehow split the stadium in half with leafs fans and wings fans.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Wow. Gonna have to make it to that.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Chara and Alfredsson will be the all star captains. I'm sure Chara getting chosen will go over great in Ottawa. :lol