Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I agree with the idea of small market teams succeeding. Especially a place like Columbus that really just needs a good team to get excited about hockey. I don't care that they're in division honestly, my team is good enough go at least get in, and the presence of Columbus won't change that. I personally very much hope they keep this up and finish the season strong. If it was anyone else, I'd hope the Jackets win tomorrow. And honestly I won't be upset really if they do.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I hate who ever made the Rangers schedule this year. Such crap that we have played so many more games than most of the rest of the NHL. Can't wait to find out when the one month break will be! Ugh.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

remember that there are bye weeks now, for every team.

Rangers just haven't had theirs yet, bud. calm down

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Fun game going between the Americans and Russians right now. Should be a good finish.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

:lol Seriously. They're off almost a full week after this Saturday. They barely play this month. 11 games in 31 days.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

yea, it'll even out for every team

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Thanks Pierre.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

So it turns out all those leaks of good viewership numbers were just likely the NHL PR team trying to jump out ahead of the real story, which was that it was the lowest rated WC to date.

http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2017...es-blackhawks/

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Never been so happy to see a Caps prospect get beat. That was extra fun. Go USA.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

:lol:lol

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

USA and Russia just played an awesome semifinal game at world juniors.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Some ideas for improving the WC:

1) Get rid of the "Stadium Series".
1a) If you want to keep the Stadium Series, fine, then make the WC played somewhere other than...oh..I don't know...a stadium? The nomenclature just doesn't make sense. If they're both played in stadiums, what's the difference between the two? It's just the same thing later in the year without the retro jerseys. The Big House was cool, Wrigley was cool...but who cares about National's Park? Or Heinz Field? If the appeal of the WC is that it's "going back to hockey's roots" outdoors, then why not play on freakin' Lake Louise? Sure it'd be a logistical nightmare, and who knows how safe that is...so maybe not...but maybe build a custom rink just for the WC instead of just some stadium? I know I didn't grow up playing pond hockey at freakin' Gillette Stadium (and not just because I'm not from Mass., I'm guessing Boston native Keith Yandle didn't grow up playing there either). So how about if you want to keep the Stadium Series, fine, then make that the only one in stadiums? Make your own rink somewhere else. Maybe in the mountains in Alberta NEAR Lake Louise where it's safe. Or out in the mountains of Boulder, CO with the Avs playing the Wings? Make it fun and interesting. Take it out of the boring stadiums.

2) Change the day. You're not going to win New Year's Day against the NFL and/or college football playoffs. You're just not. What about one week after the Super Bowl? Or before? College football is over and sports fans are waiting for the SB. It's easy enough for people to remember, cold enough most places you can still make ice.

3) Lose the D-list celebrity fanfare. No Simple Plan concert, etc. It's just embarrassing, and showing how the NHL can't pull people like the NBA/NFL can. NHL struts out Simple Plan and NFL struts out Katy Perry and freakin' Bruce Springsteen. What are we saying about each league?

That's enough to start with for now.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

they tried to do Flyers v Pens at Beaver Stadium but Penn State said no. so fuck Penn State then, it's gonna be at Heinz Field and the Linc. i think the NHL is trying to expand the types of venues but they are getting refused.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Lots of people care about Nationals Park, thank you very much

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Sure sure sure.

I mean...that's fine...but it's still a stadium. So what exactly is the point of the Stadium Series? I'm saying set up temporary bleachers somewhere. Maybe that's just too much for the NHL to handle.

I mean, check this one out in the Czech Republic:

http://imgur.com/a/OLAgJ#8pgpwIa

Or this in Sweden:

http://ice-hockeyrink.com/wp-content...e-Hockey-2.jpg

Something like that is more "Winter Classic" and save the random no-name stadiums like Natio...I mean...Citizens Ba...I mean...XXXXXX Stadium for the Stadium Series. Then the two are clearly different. Maybe build three rink locations that they can work with local cities to maintain. Kids can play there when the NHL isn't using it so the cost isn't totally on them. One at Lake Louise, one in the Poconos, and along Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. OR WHEVERVER. I don't care. Just make it different.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

That Sweden one is amazing. Just stunning. Now that looks like what a Winter Classic should be.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Junior hockey is sloppy as hell but damn it's entertaining

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

All terrific ideas, but no way would the NHL ever do that. I think we'll see a lady play in the NHL before Bettman and the NHL decide to put a game in the mountains or on a lake.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I just don't get it. If the WC is supposed to be a throwback to the days of pond/outdoor hockey...and we have the Stadium Series...then why is the WC always played in a stadium?

I know I know, $$$$$$$$$$$...but...whatever. I'm done getting myself all worked up.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

holy shit, how this team won ten straight is something I'll never understand.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I just noticed Crosby's S% is almost 25%. :lol

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah, they're sure making it easy for someone to catch them there in the wild card.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

oh, they'll be caught if they keep losing or give up points against Metro teams. They've played a shitload of games as of now, and other teams have not. Flyers will get a break starting next week, and a lax schedule the rest of the way. They better shape up.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Just finished watching USA-Russia. That shit was amazing.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Among others, you bet. A Duchene for Shattenkirk trade sounds about right. I always said when we traded Shattenkirk that it would hurt more than Stewart, and it certainly has. It would suck to lose Duchene - I love his work ethic - but something's gotta give. You will balk, but I'd LOVE for the Avs to make a push for Hjalmarsson.
I feel they rushed him into the lineup last year and that hurt his development more than helped it. Needs probably another year in the minors. At his best, he's got good PP instincts and is an excellent skater who generally makes smart plays with the puck. At worst, he's a bit undersized and doesn't always make the greatest decisions WITHOUT the puck. The latter can be developed. You interested?

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQhvhIPtXyw

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

:lol As for Bigras, I was mostly just curious. The Avs CLEARLY need help on the backend, and besides Shatty, there really just aren't a lot of upcoming UFA this summer for them to go after.

Bigras always seemed like a guy that was underrated, and I was hoping he did well.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I think they will pursue a trade before UFA. They should, anyway. They need help in every aspect. They're just a mess.

While everyone's all excited, talking about win streaks, I'm over here reveling in our 11 game (I think - I'm not counting anymore) winLESS streak. What a mess.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

The match was good, but it went too long. It shouldn't have gone another 5-10 minutes after it peaked. Way too many clotheslines (really lame finisher by Okada btw) at the end, but it was one helluva match. Definitely worthy of the praise.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Did you go to a wrestling match and a hockey game broke out?