Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lud%C4%9Bk_%C4%8Cajka

Touch icing just isn't that necessary or integral to the current game.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Rule 48 is changing the game more than removing touchicing ever would. And if you want to keep that supposed element of strategy that's where the hybrid idea comes in. Have it be a race to the top of the circle instead iof to the boards.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

There are a lot of things I'm passionate about in hockey, but touch icing isn't one of them. It is not an integral part of the game. Most amateur leagues have already adopted the no-touch rule and it has been fine. I grew up with it, and never once sat there thinking "man I wish we had touch icing..." not a big deal. If it's going to limit injuries I say go for it.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Hell, it's worth it if it prevents just one severe neck or head injury from even occurring.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Hey Swordo, I'm watching the Oil play the Canucks right now... These kids are green, some of their decision-making makes that apparent, but DAMN are the fun to watch. If Eberle, Hall, and RNH are allowed to stick together and develop on the same line... Damn.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Agreed. I saw Dubnyk play a lot when he was in the AHL in Springfield Mass and he impressed me there. He played very well with an absolutely awful team in front of him. I think he has a chance at developing into a solid #1 goalie for the Oilers.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Absolutely. The young scoring talent (and potential tending in Dubnyk) we have is very promising and exciting. It's their d line that concerns me the most. They should definitely be an improved team this year, however I think we're still a year or two away from contending in the playoffs again.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I don't understand a reason to keep touch-up icing except that "that's the way it's always been" which is dumb. Progress ruined by tradition can't be an excuse here.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I have no idea who is going to fill in the last few spots on the Hawks roster. It seems like Stalberg, Saad, Smith, and Pirri to fit two spots. With the first two out, Pirri and Saad will play in the big club for now, and then I guess Smith and Stalberg will need to play well or there are 2 studs right behind them.

and to top it all off; Morin, Pirri, and Saad (when he signs his deal, probably soon) all have 3 years left on their rookie deals. Great great news for our depth.

And Salak vs Emery is still being judged.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Exactly. If Ovie going back to beat out an icing gets hooked a little and goes crashing in and breaking a leg people would be yelling "OMG we can't lose one of our star players! Oh Kurtis Foster? Who gives a shit?" You can't prevent all injuries no but this is a place where you can easily help prevent it. I don't like the automatic because of the stoppages and guys giving up on it knowing it'll be icing. But let them race to the circle is fine by me.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Oh and Nyquist is gonna be good.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Opening week y'all!!!!

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Hell yeah dad. Excited for the Wings on Friday and looking forward to watching the Habs and Jets on Sunday. I can't imagine what the atmosphere there will be. I think a lot of us take opening night for granted. That will be like a playoff energy I think.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Totally agree. Do you get the Jets because you get CBC, etc.? Or are they on in the US as well and I'm just out of the loop?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yeah I get CBC. The advantages of being right across the border from Windsor.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I can't wait to see the entire squad play together. I feel like I've been pretty excited about the play of a lot of guys this pre-season but the results haven't been there. Pirri, Saad, Dylan Olsen have really shown some things. I've really liked the play of Mayers as well. Then again, I feel like Montador has looked pretty terrible.

I'm a bit fearful of the G situation. Crawford has been okay, but the backup situation is a bit worrisome.

Still, gotta say I'm excited. We have so many prospects who are so close to being ready to make the jump to the NHL, and I just want to see Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Toews, Keith, and Seabs playing together. Can't fucking wait for Friday.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Looks like Brunnstrom made the Wings. Also, Lebrun's reporting the Hawks and Emery are working on a 1-year deal.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Took him 3 years to finally sign here but he's here. He would have fit in so much better here than Dallas. Now he'll be at the bottom part of the lineup but whatever. He had a good camp.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

well it looks like Pirri is being sent down. Don't really understand that one, but he'll be back if the center situation starts not working out. Mayers is going to center the 4th line for sure.

Toews is primed for a Hart trophy run. When Kaner wants to be, he is the best player on the ice and all he has said all offseason is how he wants to be the best, that's a scary thought. If Duncan Keith can get back to how he played 2 years ago...oh man. Hossa just had a full summer off for the first time in a while, if he can play like the Marian Hossa we signed, this team is going to be scary.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Ready for the season to start!

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I'm changing my prediction to Hawks-Penguins in the finals

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

If Crosby is healthy, Penguins are probably the only team in the league that worries me as a Hawks fan. Predators a little bit because they just play a good style against the Hawks, and they play it well. Caps are the Miami Heat of the NHL, Bryz doesn't have the playoff reputation right now, Rangers are a year away, Habs will be better than people think, Bruins will be tough, but I like the Pens more, Tampa wouldn't get through anyone at the top of the East.

in the west, Red Wings are old. I hate their Blue line, as in I don't think it's that good, plus their forwards will get hurt. Sharks are good, but their also the Sharks and as long as their Captain is Joe Thornton I don't care for them. Canucks. Kings are going to bother people, but I think they have no wingers, and they'll bug people.

Sharks
Canucks
Hawks
Wings
Kings
Preds
Ducks
Blues

Sharks over Blues
Canucks over Ducks
Hawks over Preds (scary)
Kings over Wings

Sharks over Kings
Hawks over Canucks (I didn't even mean to put them together, I hate playing them)

Hawks over Sharks

Pens
Caps
Bruins
Rangers
Lightning
Sabres
Flyers
Habs

Pens over Habs
Flyers over Caps
Bruins over Sabres
Rangers over Lightning

Pens over Flyers
Rangers over Bruins

Pens over Rangers

Pens vs Hawks.

Get at me, just make sure you include your predictions as well while you're criticizing mine.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

and Ray Emery is the backup at $600k

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Can't go wrong with that.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Free NHL Center Ice for the first week of the season for Comcast and Directv users too. I never order it but I really enjoy the gree first week.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Cheap bastards. It used to be the first three weeks.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I just saw a re-tweet by Pierre Lebrun from an NY sports writer who's claiming Sean Avery will be waived by the Rangers. Bwahahaha

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Whoa. Never thought that would happen. Sadly some team will pick him up.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I kind of saw something coming... His production has dipped as his attitude has gotten worse. Going into the Tortorella/Avery relationship, everyone knew it could either be the best thing for Avery's career, or the worst, depending on his attitude. Well, some people just don't change, and Avery is one of those. Kudos to Tortorella for taking the hard line with him (via healthy scratches, public call-outs, etc). Good riddance.