NHL 2005-2006

[cashmoney]

Its going to be wierd having hockey back. Go Tampa Bay! :D

[ZTABullwinkle]

I am SOOOOOOOOOOO excited. Go Blackhawks!

This is going to be a "free-for-all" season, since no team is loaded to the gills with star players. I am only dissapointed that the games are not going to be on ESPN.

[ShaedyKD]

Originally posted by cashmoney
Its going to be wierd having hockey back. Go Tampa Bay! :D

Bandwagoner! ;)

I'm still sad about losing Khabiboulin, but I think the Lightning are ready to DEFEND THE CUP!

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally posted by ShaedyKD
Bandwagoner! ;)

I'm still sad about losing Khabiboulin, but I think the Lightning are ready to DEFEND THE CUP!

Let me offer you my condolences on the "Boulin Wall" leaving. But it is a great for my Hawks!!!! :D

[cashmoney]

Originally posted by ShaedyKD
Bandwagoner! ;)

I'm still sad about losing Khabiboulin, but I think the Lightning are ready to DEFEND THE CUP!


Been a fan since 96/97. ;)

[cashmoney]

Question, if their games wont beon ESPN...are they only on PPV?

[annice22]

I'm a little miffed that the Red Wings got rid of Darren McCarthy (not sure of the spelling).

I looked over the Toronto Maple Leafs and I did not know that Eric Lindross played for them. I guess I stopped following :rolleyes:

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally posted by cashmoney
Question, if their games wont beon ESPN...are they only on PPV?

OLN (Outdoor Network) usually shows the Tour de France will be broadcasting the majority of the games. I think NBC has some games also.

[cashmoney]

Originally posted by ZTABullwinkle
OLN (Outdoor Network) usually shows the Tour de France will be broadcasting the majority of the games. I think NBC has some games also.

So they'll be on at night just like ESPN or did they get shafted and have to play 2:00pm games during the week?

[RACooper]

The games so far have been great... once the players got used to the new icing and offside rules - it's really going to open game up once the players and coaches hit their strides.

Oh and of course you should all knowthe Leafs are going to win :p

[cashmoney]

Originally posted by RACooper
The games so far have been great... once the players got used to the new icing and offside rules - it's really going to open game up once the players and coaches hit their strides.

Oh and of course you should all knowthe Leafs are going to win :p



I'm anxious to see how the new rules will make teams open more offensively.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by cashmoney
I'm anxious to see how the new rules will make teams open more offensively.

I can tell you personally when I was younger that I really noticed a slow down in the game when no-touch-back offsides were introduced - but before (and I'll assume now) the touch-back rule keeps the play moving, and allows for more drives from out of the defensive zone.

The rule change about the goalie playing the puck will definitely mean a lot more dump-and-grind plays being made by the attackers trying to exploit line changes.

[Rollergirl2001]

It will be Leafs and Wings for the Stanley Cup!

[cashmoney]

Originally posted by Rollergirl2001
It will be Leafs and Wings for the Stanley Cup!


Tampa Bay all the way.

[Rollergirl2001]

Our hockey withdrawals will be gone come tommorrow night.

[ZTABullwinkle]

It has been posted on our Admirals' fans website. (AHL) That at least Wednesday, possibly the whole rest of the week) is a free Center Ice Preview. I don't know much about it. Had a BAD week, and my car is broken yet again!

PLEASE, hockey can't start soon enough!

[DolphinChicaDDD]

I am ALL about this hockey season!! I've missed it so!!! Every time my grad prof mentions baseball and the Yankees, I start chanting "Let's go Devils!!" or "Let's go Rangers!!"

I don't have a team, per se. I played ice hockey when I was little and I come from a large hockey family. Which is why I like the sport, rather than a team. Plus it was tons of fun as a kid to cheer for the Devils at my house (where my brother/ father where Rangers fans) or the Rangers at my uncle's/friends houses (where the Devils fans reside). Basically, I just like anyone who beats Philadeliphia. I have a distate for Phildadelphia sports in general.

I'm just excited that hockey is back!!!:D

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by annice22
...I looked over the Toronto Maple Leafs and I did not know that Eric Lindross played for them. I guess I stopped following :rolleyes:

This will be his first season with the Leafs.

[AGDee]

I do believe the season has gotten off to a good start! It's great to have our Wings back again, even though we're missing some beloved players. This whole salary cap thing sucks but I think the shoot outs will be a lot of fun. The Wings had to cut their salaries by HALF. Ouch.

[RACooper]

I'm going to say it again (I'm sure I've mentioned it before) - I hate shoot-outs!

I hate them in the Juniors, I hate them at the Worlds, and now I really hate them in the NHL.


:mad: I'm also a little ticked that the TV didn't cover the 48th Highlanders opening the season in Toronto... Stompin' Tom and the Bare Naked Ladies - but now pipe band :(

[annice22]

I was watching the shootout btw Toronto and Ottawa and it was really fun to watch. To bad Toronto lost.

[Rollergirl2001]

Originally posted by annice22
I was watching the shootout btw Toronto and Ottawa and it was really fun to watch. To bad Toronto lost.

Yeah. We Americans hate ties.

[AOIIalum]

I can't wait for opening night in Nationwide tomorrow. Let's Go Jackets!

[Jen]

Funniest thing about Canucks first game - Guy interviewed on the news wearing a "Don't worry Bertuzzi, I have an assault charge too" t-shirt lol.

Most unfunny thing - Paying over 100 bucks for seats at the very back of the upper level. WTF are people thinking? Hell, paying over 35 bucks is sick for sitting up in the butt crack of GM Place.

[LeslieAGD]

Well, it certainly wasn't the butt kicking performace we saw yesterday but, good game Wings! :)

I think Manny was channeling Dom when he practically broke into the splits on that last save.

[ZTABullwinkle]

Man, my Blackhawks blew it. But it was nice to see former Admirals (baby blackhawks) contributing so much during the game.

My one complaint...there was no broadcast with Chicago announcers. So we had to listen all night about how wonderful the Ducks were, and little talk about all the changes in Chicago.

[Rollergirl2001]

Bad news for us Leafs fans, Mats Sundin out 4-6 weeks with a lower orbital bone fracture.

[CanadianTeke]

Originally posted by Rollergirl2001
Bad news for us Leafs fans, Mats Sundin out 4-6 weeks with a lower orbital bone fracture.

I have a feeling that Mats will be back in 2 weeks maybe 3, with a full face cage. Remember the 2000 playoffs where he had the same sort of injury, he was supposed to be out for the rest of the playoffs, he missed the one series and was back with the full facemask. He has only missed something like 24 games in 14 seasons, so i have a feeling it won't take him long till he's back on the ice.

[AOIIalum]

Nationwide was a sellout last night, got to see the Rocket Ricard trophy up close and personal, and the Jackets lost.

Awww, the NHL gave us our very own plastic replica of Lord Stanley's cup last night. It was to "thank" us for coming back and for "our faith and our patience".

CBJ injury update: Klesla is still out, Nash is back to day to day and didn't play, and our rookie Brule went out with a hopefully minor shoulder injury.

[Rollergirl2001]

Big win for the Leafs on Friday. I was supposed to see it, but stinkin' Turner South didn't air it!:mad:

[bcdphie]

So far I have watched every Canucks game from a sports bar in Waikiki. Luckily it was raining a bit during that stinker game against Minnesota, so I didn't feel sad for being stuck inside.

We found a sports bar in the terminal we were waiting in at LAX last night, but no hockey game on. When we boarded the plane it was 4-3 Vancouver and caught the highlights at home to find out we won 5-3.

So far Vancouver has had a decent season... but we won't be going to any games this year, since the entire season is already sold out. I guess the strike didn't hurt the Canucks...

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Rollergirl2001
Big win for the Leafs on Friday. I was supposed to see it, but stinkin' Turner South didn't air it!:mad:

It was interesting... especially the violence near the end...

It's a shame you can't get the games down south cause they have been great - particularly the old Leafs/Hab rivalry and the new Leafs/Sens rivarly.

But I do know how hard it is to find the games - I remember wandering around Baltimore looking for a sports bar that had the game... no luck though.

[ZTABullwinkle]

No one has posted this yet, but this news took my bf and I by surprise!!!


Brett Hull retires five games into the season (http://cbs.sportsline.com/nhl/story/8968269)

At least he retired with the same "team" as his father retired from (Phoenix is the old Whalers team). I am going to be sad to see him gone.

[LeslieAGD]

Watching the Red Wings game last night, the only thing they talked about for the WHOLE first period was Hull's retirement.

Go Wings! Great shut-out, Manny! :D

[KSigkid]

It's nice to know that the Bruins have not learned over the years that the cheap, penny-pinching ways they know and love just won't get them a Stanley Cup. I wonder who Raycroft and Boynton will be playing for next year.

Jumbo Joe may end up wondering why he signed that extension.

[Thrillhouse]

Originally posted by bcdphie
So far I have watched every Canucks game from a sports bar in Waikiki. Luckily it was raining a bit during that stinker game against Minnesota, so I didn't feel sad for being stuck inside.

We found a sports bar in the terminal we were waiting in at LAX last night, but no hockey game on. When we boarded the plane it was 4-3 Vancouver and caught the highlights at home to find out we won 5-3.

So far Vancouver has had a decent season... but we won't be going to any games this year, since the entire season is already sold out. I guess the strike didn't hurt the Canucks...

Quite a few Vancouver fans in Detroit last monday when I went, pretty surprising to me considering Detroit sells every game out in advance as well.

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by ZTABullwinkle
No one has posted this yet, but this news took my bf and I by surprise!!!


Brett Hull retires five games into the season (http://cbs.sportsline.com/nhl/story/8968269)

At least he retired with the same "team" as his father retired from (Phoenix is the old Whalers team). I am going to be sad to see him gone.

Actually, Carolina is the old Whalers. I believe Phoenix is the old Winnipeg Jets franchise.

The timing surprised me a little, but honestly it makes sense. He's slowed quite a bit and wasn't doing much to help the Coyotes.

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally posted by KSigkid
Actually, Carolina is the old Whalers. I believe Phoenix is the old Winnipeg Jets franchise.

The timing surprised me a little, but honestly it makes sense. He's slowed quite a bit and wasn't doing much to help the Coyotes.

The fact Phoenix is the old "Whalers" team is what I was referring to. Sorry that I didn't make it clearer.

This is what we think....We think that he wanted to retire wearing his dad's number with the team organization that his father played and retired from. (Similar to Emmitt Smith and Dallas Cowboys)

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by ZTABullwinkle
The fact Phoenix is the old "Whalers" team is what I was referring to. Sorry that I didn't make it clearer.

This is what we think....We think that he wanted to retire wearing his dad's number with the team organization that his father played and retired from. (Similar to Emmitt Smith and Dallas Cowboys)

I think I'm misunderstanding you, or you're misunderstanding me. When the Whalers left Hartford, they moved to Carolina to become the Carolina Hurricanes. When the Winnipeg Jets left Winnipeg, they became the Phoenix Coyotes.

Phoenix and the Whalers have no connection whatsoever.

[annice22]

This sucks I just got my dreams shattered. A friend told me my crush (Lindros) is gay. It can't be. He's totally hot (at least to me).

:( :o :mad:

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally posted by KSigkid
I think I'm misunderstanding you, or you're misunderstanding me. When the Whalers left Hartford, they moved to Carolina to become the Carolina Hurricanes. When the Winnipeg Jets left Winnipeg, they became the Phoenix Coyotes.

Phoenix and the Whalers have no connection whatsoever.

Okay, I guess today affected ma little bit more than I thought! Bobby Hull played for and retired from Winnipeg. Thus why it made total sense for him to be the first player on Phoenix's "Ring of Honor."

Sooooo....Those references regarding Bobby Hull refer to the Winnipeg Jets. And then follow that to understand why we think Brett retired wearing his Dad's number (which they unretired for Brett - the number had been retired NHL-wise.) in Phoenix.

Does that make more sense???


Originally posted by
annice22
This sucks I just got my dreams shattered. A friend told me my crush (Lindros) is gay. It can't be. He's totally hot (at least to me).


Lindros is GAY?!?!??!:eek: Where did you hear that?

[annice22]

Originally posted by ZTABullwinkle

Lindros is GAY?!?!??!:eek: Where did you hear that? [/B]

A soon to be former friend (not really, but I'll be a little pissed) if I don't find this on-line. So hopefully that's just a rumor. Guys can be so jealous.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by annice22
This sucks I just got my dreams shattered. A friend told me my crush (Lindros) is gay. It can't be. He's totally hot (at least to me).

:( :o :mad:


WHATTT??????!!!!!!! I heard he has a girlfriend....

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Taualumna
WHATTT??????!!!!!!! I heard he has a girlfriend....

Ahem... girlfriends...

As for him being gay.... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I'm sorry but I was a tutor for his brother (Bret the concusion poster-boy) back in highschool - and let me tell you they were all over the girls back then... and from what I have seen out at the Beir Market and the Madison not much has changed.

[annice22]

I guess I can keep my little crush. Even though that comment makes him sound like a "big hoe". At least he's not gay (not that there is anything wrong with it).

;) :) :D

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by annice22
I guess I can keep my little crush. Even though that comment makes him sound like a "big hoe". At least he's not gay (not that there is anything wrong with it).

;) :) :D

LOL on the "big hoe" comment...

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by ZTABullwinkle
Okay, I guess today affected ma little bit more than I thought! Bobby Hull played for and retired from Winnipeg. Thus why it made total sense for him to be the first player on Phoenix's "Ring of Honor."

Sooooo....Those references regarding Bobby Hull refer to the Winnipeg Jets. And then follow that to understand why we think Brett retired wearing his Dad's number (which they unretired for Brett - the number had been retired NHL-wise.) in Phoenix.

Does that make more sense???



That does make more sense. I grew up in CT and was a Whalers fan while they were there. I was going to say, I didn't remember Bobby Hull playing for the Whale; Gordie Howe yes, but not Hull.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by annice22
I guess I can keep my little crush. Even though that comment makes him sound like a "big hoe". At least he's not gay (not that there is anything wrong with it).

;) :) :D

Alrighty perhaps I shouldn't have said "girlfriends"... maybe a fine appreciation for hot, female, fans would have been more apt. I'm sure though if he had a serious girlfriend he wouldn't be so friendly himself when out at the bars...

Although the last time I heard a girlfriend mentioned in the news in connection to Eric Lindros is was back in 2000 involving a car accident.

[ZTABullwinkle]

I am going to lean towrds the side that says Lindros isn't gay. That is until some "proof" can be produced. I have been around enough NHL players (well, they had to start somewhere....AHL - look at the Blackhawks roster, most of them are from Norfolk) to know that there is a reason why the terms "puck bunny" and "hockey hoe" have been made....

[RACooper]

Originally posted by ZTABullwinkle
I am going to lean towrds the side that says Lindros isn't gay. That is until some "proof" can be produced. I have been around enough NHL players (well, they had to start somewhere....AHL - look at the Blackhawks roster, most of them are from Norfolk) to know that there is a reason why the terms "puck bunny" and "hockey hoe" have been made....

:D Puck Bunny :D

Now that takes me back....

'Puck Bunny': refers to girls "interested" in hockey players
'Hockey Hoe': well a girl that loves to many hockey players
-and of course-
'Rink Rat': a girl that hangs out/stalks the players at the arena (to get the leg-up on other girls).

[LeslieAGD]

I'm glad the Wings won in OT last night after that BULLSH*T penalty on Holmstom and that BULLSH*T power-play goal that went off the Strum's glove.

[Rollergirl2001]

Tonight was Todd Bertuzzi night in Colorado.

[bcdphie]

I love when Vancouver decides not to show up until the THIRD period.

Last night's game was just weird. I knew the fans would be heckling the team and booing Bert, but the scene of the crime happened in Vancouver and we played that game against the Avs last saturday, and won.

I heard that going into the game Vancouver was very nervous, but the 3rd period was a completely different game. It actually made the game enjoyable to watch eventhough we lost 6-2.

Had some of those good shots on goal gone in we may have be able to tie it. Don't shake your head at that, the Canucks are the comeback kids. Even when they're down by four or five goals, or down 3-1 in a playoff series, they more often than not seem to pull it off.

The team that played the 3rd period, is the team I've been watching so far this season. But I can understand why they weren't playing to their full potential at first, I just hope the momentum from the 3rd period carries over to the game on Saturday.

On another note: man is Ryan Kessler ever impressive. I think the Crow had him on almost every line during the 3rd.

PS. Everytime Vancouver has a big loss, they go on a tear. They went on a 7 game winning streak after that 6-0 loss to Minne, so hopefully they will keep up that trend...

eta. I just checked the cbc website and read that the shots on goal in the 3rd period were 23-0 for Vancouver - that's just insane...

I have an inkling Saturday is going to be a very different game.

[Rollergirl2001]

Maple Leafs got bonked and whomped at home 8-0. Ottawa is a very good team.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Rollergirl2001
Maple Leafs got bonked and whomped at home 8-0. Ottawa is a very good team.

I think Heatly was inspired by the shalacking that Brock gave UofT the night before - he was there to watch his brother who plays for UofT... it was pretty much the same one sided contest with one team looking like they wanted to win, and the other just going through the motions.

[LeslieAGD]

I can't believe Babcock didn't play Manny Legace last night. Earlier this week, Legace became the first NHL goalie to win 10 games in a month...how rude to not let him play the last game of the month and make it 11 games. :(

[ZTABullwinkle]

I had the best of both worlds tonight. Watched the AHL admirals's game on b2 network. Also watched the Chicago Blackhawks won!

To make it better, Aaron Downey (St. Louis) and Jim Vandemeer (Chicago) had one of the best hockey fights I have ever seen. I guess old feelings don't die hard when you used to be enemies in the ECHL and AHL. Downey's nose was definitely broke in the game!

Anyone see the final bos score of the Ottawa game? TWO players for Ottawa had 4 goals each.

[KSigkid]

So Havlat and Alfredsson had good nights last night. Three guys on Ottawa already have 21 or more points. Welcome to the new NHL.

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally posted by KSigkid
So Havlat and Alfredsson had good nights last night. Three guys on Ottawa already have 21 or more points. Welcome to the new NHL.

We didn't watch that game, but had the sports tracker on while watching the Admirals' game on the internet. Can't believe that there were two hat tricks in one game. From the few fans that were there, I don't hink anyone left with a hat!

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally posted by ShaedyKD

I'm still sad about losing Khabiboulin, but I think the Lightning are ready to DEFEND THE CUP!

Hey ShaedyKD -

Want him back? He is playing HORRIBLY for us. He has the worst save percentage for any starting goalie in the NHL. Makes you wonder what in the world he did during the lock-out, but it surely wasn't working on his game!


I am glad to see Mario and Sidney Crosby playing well (although Pens' record doesn't show it). Mario reminds me of the old Mario before he retired and then attempted a comback.



Okay.....has anyone figured out who are the teams to watch this season? I have center ice and flip through the games, but the teams change so much I don't know who I should be watching for a good game (well, if Chicago isn't playing.)

Last note: If anyone watched ECHL or AHL games in the past, you may understand why I am mentioning this... During the Chicago - St. Louis game, J. Vandemeer and A. Downey had a GREAT FIGHT! The announcers mentioned that there must be bad blood between them in the NHL. Those two had some great tussles in the ECHL and AHL - that is how long ago these two were fighting! Same thing goes for Downey (St. Louis) and Jody Shelley (don't know where he is playing), but Shelly is still an enforcer who doesn't play well in my opinion.

Man! I missed the NHL last year! :D

[AOIIalum]

Originally posted by ZTABullwinkle
that is how long ago these two were fighting! Same thing goes for Downey (St. Louis) and Jody Shelley (don't know where he is playing), but Shelley is still an enforcer who
doesn't play well in my opinion.
That would be here in Columbus, and I'm thrilled to have him here. I do adore Mr. Shelley.

Needless to say, the following article was published before tonight's nightmare of a game.

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/bluejackets/bluejackets.php?story=dispatch/2005/11/13/20051113-D3-01.html&chck=t

Fourth-liners are proving their worth to Blue Jackets
Shelley, Goertzen, Rupp work to help team during slump
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

For good or ill, the Blue Jackets’ best line Friday night might have been their fourth line.

"Who said they’re the fourth line?" coach Gerard Gallant said yesterday.

Get the idea?

The Blue Jackets dominated the better part of two periods but lost 3-1, empty-net goal included, to the Edmonton Oilers in Nationwide Arena. The Jackets’ sputtering power play and nagging inability to put the puck in the net were hallmarks. One positive development was the emergence of left winger Jody Shelley, center Mike Rupp and rookie right winger Steven Goertzen. They each had even ratings, played about seven minutes and provided a notably physical presence. They will try to do the same tonight when the Blue Jackets play host to the Los Angeles Kings.

"We’re still not scoring goals," Shelley said. "I’d like to think we could help the team even more."

Gallant is leaning in that direction. He used Shelley on power plays and turned to Goertzen on penalty kills. But the most notable thing about the fourth line (which will soon need a nickname) was their work in the offensive zone.

"We’re beginning to realize we can get to the net without much effort," Rupp said. "We can get there without the defensemen doing much of anything because of the new rules.

"If we can take advantage of our size, we can only help. We’re starting to play better together, and I think we can surprise some teams."

The Blue Jackets can use the help. They have the fewest goals in the league. They need energy wherever they can find it. When Shelley, Rupp and Goertzen are punishing opponents in their own end, and working the wall down the other end, it’s a lift.

"When the big guys get their legs under them and feel good, especially when they keep the puck in the offensive zone, they’re a factor," Gallant said. "It’s tough to get the puck away from them. And when they get that feel, it’s a help for everyone. You can roll the lines, get more rest for other people, get a better rhythm. Recently, the big guys have played very well."

Shelley is 6 feet 4 and 230 pounds. Rupp is 6-5, 230. Goertzen is 6-1, 216. Their aggregate weight is 676 pounds. That’s a load.

Shelley, 29, is the team’s heavyweight fighter. Rupp, 25, from the Cleveland area, is trying to find a home after being traded twice in two years.

Goertzen, 21, is still living a dream, except for, you know, the losses. He was the surprise of training camp, among the last to be cut and the first to be recalled. He has played in 11 games and wants to keep going.

"I don’t take one day for granted, and every day’s a bonus," Goertzen said.

"It’s almost like a tryout every single day."

The new NHL, with its fewer obstructions, is a faster game with shorter shifts. As Gallant alluded, the more that can be milked from the fourth line, the better for everyone.

Shelley, Rupp and Goertzen are beginning to pull their considerable weight and it would be an even better sign if some other forwards took advantage. But it’s still a good sign.

"We had some (scoring) opportunities the last couple of games," Rupp said.

"We have our role and we’re beginning to play better together. We’re starting to figure some things out."

marace@dispatch.com

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally posted by AOIIalum
That would be here in Columbus, and I'm thrilled to have him here. I do adore Mr. Shelley.


I wish I could agree with you about Shelley. But I have had an extreme dislike for him since when he played for the Johnston Chiefs in the ECHL.

The hardest pill for me to swallow...When Philadelphia made a trade with Chicago, which brought Jim Vandemeer (too many of them to count in hockey by the way. Yes, they are all related.) Turned out I grew to like him He was a great guy off the ice, and one heck of an enforce on the ice. He also helped the newer defensemen on our team. never thought I would say it, but I miss him.

[annice22]

Why is Todd Bertuzzi still allowed to play? I think it sucks that the guy he injured may not be able to play again. He sucks and should not have been allow to play.

[AOIIalum]

So, I guess Sergei Federov is the newest member of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Anaheim fans, you are getting one class act in Tyler Wright.

[bcdphie]

Well there's a big rumour floating around Vancouver right now: Apparently there is going to be a trade of significant proportions with Florida.

Everyone's guess seems to be Jovo and Cloutier for Luongo and a draft pick.

I have also heard rumours that Bert may be traded, but I doubt that for two reasons: it would be destructive to break up Bert and Nazzy; and secondly, I think Vancouver is the only NHL Franchise and city that even accepts Bertuzzi. Every other rink he has played in this season he has been booed everytime his stick touches the puck...

I guess we will just have to wait and see...