here's the thing about the Flyers... [Archive]

Swish

10-20-2008, 12:57 PM

...it's not so much that you can write them off completely despite the 0-and-5 start...but losing to your own farm club is beyond borderline suck-a-tude. Wasn't last season supposed to be thier "rebuilding" year?

Yeah, they don't look so hot, but the loss to the Phantoms was nothing of note. It was an exhibition and there was basically no hitting of any kind going on, so that's not an issue.

I watched the Rangers tag them with a 4-0 lead on home ice, but then the Flyers scored 3 in a row to make it a game. And they lost in OT to the Pens on their ice, and another OT game the other day. It's not the end of the world and I think they'll get back on track soon. At least I hope so.

Swish

kexodusc

10-20-2008, 01:18 PM

If they could just put Biron back on the juice and get Briere to quit diving, I mean, falling down every time he gets touched, they'd be half way there.

They'll be fine. They might lose a coach in the short term, but expectations are high this year, many picked them to finish 3rd in the conference after years of stocking up on high draft picks who should have breakout years. The first few weeks of the season is usually an anomaly anyway.

bobsticks

10-20-2008, 05:05 PM

Yeah, they don't look so hot, but the loss to the Phantoms was nothing of note. It was an exhibition and there was basically no hitting of any kind going on, so that's not an issue.

Did we watch the same game? They replayed this on Fox Sports Central the other night at about 4:00a.m. and the announcers were positively gleeful at pointing out each and every time a Phantom steamrolled a Flyer.

It's not that there wasn't any hitting going on, it's that the big boys were getting rocked outta their lederhosen. Clearly, the Legion of Doom days are long gone...forget the Broadstreet Bullies.

I watched the Rangers tag them with a 4-0 lead on home ice, but then the Flyers scored 3 in a row to make it a game. And they lost in OT to the Pens on their ice, and another OT game the other day. It's not the end of the world and I think they'll get back on track soon. At least I hope so.

Stevens needs to stop juggling the offensive lines which has resulted in nothing more than disrupting any kind of chemistry that might develop. Ol' boy needs to address the fact that their D-corp looks like the chorus line in a high-school Finnish version of La Cage Aux Folles.

Ex Lion Tamer

10-21-2008, 08:22 AM

Yeah, they don't look so hot, but the loss to the Phantoms was nothing of note. It was an exhibition and there was basically no hitting of any kind going on, so that's not an issue.

I watched the Rangers tag them with a 4-0 lead on home ice, but then the Flyers scored 3 in a row to make it a game. And they lost in OT to the Pens on their ice, and another OT game the other day. It's not the end of the world and I think they'll get back on track soon. At least I hope so.

Swish

I actually thought that they looked pretty good against The Habs, and deserved a better fate, especially considering the state of their defence at the moment. With Richards, Carter, Briere and a healthy Gagne they should be fine.

3-LockBox

10-21-2008, 03:03 PM

Tell me, what is this 'hockey'?

bobsticks

10-22-2008, 05:52 PM

So damn close...

What a sweet return to the City of Brotherly Love for Mon seigneur Roenick.

Only 76 more games 'til golf season.

Swish

10-23-2008, 05:16 AM

So damn close...

What a sweet return to the City of Brotherly Love for Mon seigneur Roenick.

Only 76 more games 'til golf season.

3 games go to OT, including that one, and they lose in a crappy shoot-out.

Crap!

Swish

kexodusc

10-23-2008, 05:22 AM

3 games go to OT, including that one, and they lose in a crappy shoot-out.

Crap!

Swish

Seems like once again the Flyers are looking for a goalie. Marty Biron's fairy tale ended in the playoffs last year and he's looking once again like the full-time backup he probably should be.

These guys are really missing Jason Smith's defensive positioning, but even he'd only play 24 minutes of hockey.

I can't figure out why they're this bad? They should be, and were predicted by most noteworthy sources, to be no less than a Cup contender and top 3 in the East conference.

At least there's lots of time to turn it around so no need to panic. Why has Daniel Briere been playing on the wing?

ForeverAutumn

10-23-2008, 05:27 AM

3 games go to OT, including that one, and they lose in a crappy shoot-out.

Crap!

Swish

I feel your pain. Leafs are 0-3 for shootouts this year. They even pulled Toskala and put Curtis Joseph in net for the shootout on Tuesday and they still lost it.

Having said that, they may be losing but I'm seeing them play harder and with more heart than I've seen in years. Maybe not having Sundin to rely on will be a blessing in disguise. One can only hope.

bobsticks

10-23-2008, 06:12 AM

I can't figure out why they're this bad?

They looked good when they crashed the net last night...and found some success too. There's been some tentative play by the forwards, especially the first few games but a big part of that has come from a lack of strong first passing plays.

They're not advancing very well initially out of their own zone and it shouldn't be that surprising. Look at the defensive depth chart on the team that was "supposed to be a cup contender". Randy Jones, Hatcher, Modry, Rathje, Parent, and Smith all not playing for one reason or another.

They'll get better as some the chemistry clicks---and clearly I'm just givin' Swishy some heat---but no team is going very far with the Kiimo Timmonen show as its mainstay.

kexodusc

10-23-2008, 06:36 AM

They looked good when they crashed the net last night...and found some success too. There's been some tentative play by the forwards, especially the first few games but a big part of that has come from a lack of strong first passing plays.

They're not advancing very well initially out of their own zone and it shouldn't be that surprising. Look at the defensive depth chart on the team that was "supposed to be a cup contender". Randy Jones, Hatcher, Modry, Rathje, Parent, and Smith all not playing for one reason or another.

They'll get better as some the chemistry clicks---and clearly I'm just givin' Swishy some heat---but no team is going very far with the Kiimo Timmonen show as its mainstay.
Ooh, I don't know. Timmonen is a solid, offensive producing, puck moving D-man in the Zubov, Schneider, Neidermeyer mold...He's not a big physical presence of course, but doesn't have to be. If he was North American he'd be a superstar instead of just very good.
He's the least of their problems.
I dare say that Marty Biron's stellar 5.00 GAA and stingy .840 save % are 99% of the reason why this team is underachieving. He's just not sharp, wonder if he's injured? It's not like he's getting beat with incredible goals all night either.

At some point your goalie has to steal the wins for you, so the team knows it can play with swagger and confidence, that their goalie will bail them out if they turn the puck over. He was doing that in the playoffs last year. He's not doing it now and you can see the nervousness in the Flyers' play.
When you're down early and often, it forces you to totally change the game plan, play catch-up hockey, loosen the defence, and hope for the hail mary. Even bad teams can play good with a 2 goal lead most nights.

A bad goalie in the NHL stops 2 more goals every night than Biron is right now. Once he gets his game back, the wins will come.

bobsticks

10-23-2008, 07:25 AM

Kex, I agree with you 100%, absolutely about the goalie situation. I didn't focus on Biron enough so whether he was favoring anything orotherwise physically tepid.

Don't believe the hype. Timmonen ain't worthy of sharpening Zubov's blades now...mush less ten years ago.

kexodusc

10-23-2008, 09:09 AM

No love for Timmonen, huh? Well, no matter, they still haven't recovered the heart and grit that left the team when Primeau was forced to retire. Until they address that, any questions on the ability to create offense from the back end is academic.
Carter and Richards might fill that gap someday...but not for awhile yet.

Big question - is Vanek gonna hit 50 goals, and how good is that Semin kid?

audiobill

10-23-2008, 12:56 PM

I became so frustrated with our hometeam, the much maligned Leafs, that I snapped around this time last year and changed jerseys forever!!

I still need to support a canadian team, so I thought about it and figured I have dibs on The Habs (even though throughout my entire childhood and teenage years I despised them) since my daughter attends university in that province. The final decision to switch has made hockey interesting and passionate again.

Certainly, you have some other PA, team to pledge allegiance? I know, I know, it's heresy; but, hey, trust me, you'll feel so much better after you did.

ForeverAutumn

10-23-2008, 02:22 PM

I still need to support a canadian team, so I thought about it and figured I have dibs on The Habs (even though throughout my entire childhood and teenage years I despised them) since my daughter attends university in that province.

Oh Bill! How could you? I'd accept any other team. Heck, the Sens are at least still in the same province. But the Habs? :sad: :frown2:

audiobill

10-23-2008, 05:12 PM

any other team. But the Habs? :sad: :frown2:

Yeah I know. It just goes to show you how much I snapped and how fargone the Toronto Maple Leafs are. It was just too painful to watch.

Ex Lion Tamer

10-24-2008, 03:51 AM

Oh Bill! How could you? I'd accept any other team. Heck, the Sens are at least still in the same province. But the Habs? :sad: :frown2:

I love when you Toronto-types profess such a deep-seated hatred of The Habs - they really must be doing something right. See the Leafs raise nothing more than indifference from me - too insignificant for to long to work up any sort of hatred.

Although I don't understand your sentiments Bill, as I'm a "with-your-team-through-tick-and-thin" kind of guy, (I am a long-surffering Vikings fan, and could NEVER cheer for another NFL team), on behalf of all the Habs fans around the world, welcome aboard bud. (Hey, we even have Tom Kostopolous.)

Swish

10-24-2008, 04:02 AM

I'm a "with-your-team-through-tick-and-thin" kind of guy

Swish

ForeverAutumn

10-24-2008, 05:54 AM

I love when you Toronto-types profess such a deep-seated hatred of The Habs - they really must be doing something right. See the Leafs raise nothing more than indifference from me - too insignificant for to long to work up any sort of hatred.

It's all in jest. I don't really care. It's just fun to pick on the Habs because Habs fans are so passionate and I like to see them get all worked up. It's like me ribbing Swish when the Flyers lose. I couldn't care less about the loss. It's just fun to get under Swishy's skin. :p

BTW, I have several friends who are Habs fans and their disdain for the Leafs runs deep.

kexodusc

10-24-2008, 06:02 AM

It's all in jest. I don't really care. It's just fun to pick on the Habs because Habs fans are so passionate and I like to see them get all worked up. It's like me ribbing Swish when the Flyers lose. I couldn't care less about the loss. It's just fun to get under Swishy's skin. :p

BTW, I have several friends who are Habs fans and their disdain for the Leafs runs deep.
I hate both teams...Toronto a little more obviously because their fans are a bit more obnoxious, but Habs fans are really bad. For years they've been hiding in their basement, publicly professing their disinterest for the sport and how the game is boring now (when what they really meant was their team sucked for over a decade). Then all of a sudden the band wagon is riding full again.
At least a retarded Leafs fan cheers for their team loud and proud even though they know they suck. And as a Senators fan, I'm starting to understand what it's like to be a Leafs fan this year...:cryin:

BTW, if anyone's got a spare goalie they're not using, please call Brian at (613) 599-0250 :frown2:

ForeverAutumn

10-24-2008, 06:11 AM

I hate both teams...Toronto a little more obviously because their fans are a bit more obnoxious, but Habs fans are really bad. For years they've been hiding in their basement, publicly professing their disinterest for the sport and how the game is boring now (when what they really meant was their team sucked for over a decade). Then all of a sudden the band wagon is riding full again.
At least a retarded Leafs fan cheers for their team loud and proud even though they know they suck. And as a Senators fan, I'm starting to understand what it's like to be a Leafs fan this year...:cryin:

BTW, if anyone's got a spare goalie they're not using, please call Brian at (613) 599-0250 :frown2:

Hey, at least Leafs fans don't set cars on fire as a show of celebration!

and...AND...We've never boo'd the Star Spangled Banner either.

Ex Lion Tamer

10-24-2008, 08:53 AM

Yeah, but be careful. Some of them carrry Lyme Disease.

No you mis-hunderstand me - I mean "tick", the french-Canadian version of the word "thick"

ForeverAutumn

10-24-2008, 08:57 AM

No you mis-hunderstand me

LMAO. :D

Ex Lion Tamer

10-24-2008, 09:00 AM

Hey, at least Leafs fans don't set cars on fire as a show of celebration!

and...AND...We've never boo'd the Star Spangled Banner either.

Low blows there FA. But two embarrasing points about MTL that I do not in any way endorse.

But to your first point - you would need to actually have something to celebrate - before knowing whether or not you'd be burning cars.

ForeverAutumn

10-24-2008, 09:11 AM

But to your first point - you would need to actually have something to celebrate - before knowing whether or not you'd be burning cars.

Touché.

kexodusc

10-24-2008, 10:15 AM

Hey, at least Leafs fans don't set cars on fire as a show of celebration!

and...AND...We've never boo'd the Star Spangled Banner either.
I meant all that in good (Leaf/Hab bashin') fun of course.

I tend to hate the stronger of the two more. So this year the Habs are bugging me. They're good...but they're not great..not yet.

As for booing the anthems...bah...I never made a big deal of that. Sometimes people need to be told (or booed).

You should hear some of the songs the fans sing about other colleges or states in college sports...that some real hatred...

ForeverAutumn

10-24-2008, 11:26 AM

...for the fans too! :(

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nnXOLoOSbvc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nnXOLoOSbvc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

audiobill

10-24-2008, 01:38 PM

on behalf of all the Habs fans around the world, welcome aboard bud. (Hey, we even have Tom Kostopolous.)

Glad to be aboard, bud (no intended pun).

I have fond memories of my uncle and dad wiring up a b & w tv, that they just bought for the stanley cup finals when the Leafs won last. They put me as a young boy in between them and we all cheered loudly as we watched the series. But, even with that memory intact, and even with the Ballard years, I stayed loyal. Last year, however, I saw the light and abandoned them for they abandoned me - the hockey fan.

Vive la red white and blue (I don't mean america) here.
Vive la memory of Henri Richard and his brother.
Vive la habs!!!!!!

bobsticks

11-13-2008, 05:40 PM

bobsticks

11-13-2008, 06:07 PM

Swish

11-13-2008, 06:16 PM

Swish

11-13-2008, 06:18 PM

...I need your sleeping beauties to wake up, Swishy.

Matt Carle just got juked outta his jock by Malkin.

I just got a chuckle as the announcer inadvertently announced that "Cindy" Crosby just scored on the backhand.

God, I hate the Penguins so much I even want your boys to win. Watcha think of them apples?

I can't stand Cindy and his crew, and would love nothing more than to beat them on their ice after being down 3-0. The rink went from raucous to a morgue. LOVE IT!

Swish - now they need to hold on and win

Swish

11-13-2008, 07:50 PM

Not bad.

I don't want to jiinx anything but someone must have heard the plaintive cries of Flyers fans and Pens haters everywhere and woken up your forwards. Despite two more boneheaded, out-of-position plays by Carle, ja boys tied it up 3-3, including two shorties.

Now we just need Riley and "The God of Blunder" to have a go and we've got oldschool.

They have to end the Shootouts. What an atrocious way to end a game that ends with a tie, unless it's in the playoffs where you need to decide a winner. I'm not saying it because the Flyers lost in the OT of the shootout. I've said it from the day they initiated it. It's a stupid solution and should end. Period.

Secondly, the mod took my college football thread and moved it to another forum, but this one remains. I started the other one, but not this one, so maybe it's me? I'll say this much....I don't care to be on any other forum but this one most of the time, so one more moved thread and I'll probably be gone for good.

Swish - tired of the nonsense

kexodusc

11-14-2008, 05:59 AM

They have to end the Shootouts. What an atrocious way to end a game that ends with a tie, unless it's in the playoffs where you need to decide a winner. I'm not saying it because the Flyers lost in the OT of the shootout. I've said it from the day they initiated it. It's a stupid solution and should end. Period.

Are you f'n kidding me? Before the shootouts the OT sessions in the regular season were the most boring, retarded exhibitions of sport ever produced - teams played so safe and conservative, not wanting to surrender the extra point in the standings by losing. The life was sucked out of OT. They tried a few things to change that - 4 on 4, the guaranteed 1 point, and it still didn't work. Coaching has advanced so much in the last 10-12 years that European systems are sucking the speed and jam out of the game.

The shootout - heaven forbid it ever decide a playoff game - has ended that. Teams don't like losing in the shootout so they try win it OT now, especially if they don't have a goalie named Martin Brodeur or Roberto Luongo. They go for it.

I saw 3 shootouts in person last year live. The rinks came alive in the extra session and it added some value to the games.

I argued against it, but I was wrong. Shootouts are good for regular season games.

Now the instigator rule...that gots ta go...

Swish

11-14-2008, 01:12 PM

Are you f'n kidding me? Before the shootouts the OT sessions in the regular season were the most boring, retarded exhibitions of sport ever produced - teams played so safe and conservative, not wanting to surrender the extra point in the standings by losing. The life was sucked out of OT. They tried a few things to change that - 4 on 4, the guaranteed 1 point, and it still didn't work. Coaching has advanced so much in the last 10-12 years that European systems are sucking the speed and jam out of the game.

The shootout - heaven forbid it ever decide a playoff game - has ended that. Teams don't like losing in the shootout so they try win it OT now, especially if they don't have a goalie named Martin Brodeur or Roberto Luongo. They go for it.

I saw 3 shootouts in person last year live. The rinks came alive in the extra session and it added some value to the games.

I argued against it, but I was wrong. Shootouts are good for regular season games.

Now the instigator rule...that gots ta go...

If you make it to OT you get a point and it's called a tie, not a loss, yet the sports page claims the Flyers lost. I think it's a big joke, like have the All Star game in baseball decide which league gets home field advantage in the Series.

Think about it; hockey isn't about one guy on offense taking the puck from the line on his own and shooting at the goalie. It's a lot of luck, nothing more. The Pens best skill players all got stopped, then some rookie who has never had a chance in a shoot out gets a goal and the Pens get 2 points. I think it sucks.

Swish

bobsticks

11-15-2008, 06:47 PM

Now the instigator rule...that gots ta go...

Yes, it's true. My fervor as a Bettman-hater is not nearly as passionate as some but this is clearly one of the worst rules ever to have been instituted.

I've been kicked back with the split-screen action, attention divided between figuring out how Toronto could suck more and watching the Devils and Caps battle. For the former, I must ask myself how our lovely Autumn can walkin public, head held high, being both a Prog maven and a Leaf fan.

As for the latter, headlines are already appearing declaring the Devils the 5-4 winners. This is a case of the pundits hedging their bets to meet the deadline and missing Ovetchkin's tie-up goal at 0.8 seconds. If you have an opportunity to see the replay, watch it. Backstrom threads a thicket of sticks and bodies across the crease and Ovie buries the biscuit through the proverbial eye of the needle. Unbelievable.

Good show for your boys Swishy...gotta beat them characters from the land of hairy women...

02audionoob

11-15-2008, 09:10 PM

Good show for your boys Swishy...gotta beat them characters from the land of hairy women...

There's a French team in the NHL?

Swish

11-16-2008, 11:29 AM

I must ask myself how our lovely Autumn can walkin public, head held high, being both a Prog maven and a Leaf fan.

...to visit here as if everything is hunky-dory.

Good show for your boys Swishy...gotta beat them characters from the land of hairy women.

They're starting to gel it would appear, but they have a ways to go since they're so far down in the standing. I thought the Bruins had that game against the Rangers wrapped up, but next thing you know, it's tie and then a stoopid shoot-out ensues and NY ends up with 2 points. They have to END this nonsense.

Swish

kexodusc

11-17-2008, 09:58 AM

If you make it to OT you get a point and it's called a tie, not a loss, yet the sports page claims the Flyers lost. I think it's a big joke, like have the All Star game in baseball decide which league gets home field advantage in the Series.
Again, the pre-shootout OT sessions were some of the most boring displays of human effort ever produced, because in teams played to try and not make a mistake that could cost them a win. Now with the threat of an unpredictable shootout, most are going for it. There's a point where spectator sports needs less risk management and more entertainment value. The NHL got it right here.

Think about it; hockey isn't about one guy on offense taking the puck from the line on his own and shooting at the goalie. It's a lot of luck, nothing more. The Pens best skill players all got stopped, then some rookie who has never had a chance in a shoot out gets a goal and the Pens get 2 points. I think it sucks.
Swish
Which is why teams still get the point, and no hockey fan anywhere wants to ever see a playoff game decided by a shootout. And that's the thing - teams have to win a playoff game to move on, they can't just lay back and trap until 2 am when their opponents fall asleep. In the regular season where the games are a mere fraction as improtant, there's absolutely zero harm in the shootout bringing additional entertainment value to the spectator sport aspect of hockey. For the amount it happens and it's impact on the standings, it remains a small value added feature with no downside.

bobsticks

11-17-2008, 06:16 PM

With little fanfare Daryl Sydor has made his way back to the Dallas Stars. I'm thinking this is going to be a more impactful move than many, if not most, imagine. Combining solid blueline defense with some lockeroom leadership I'm predicting (on the record) that within a week this will be a major step toward curing some of the defensive woes down south.

On the other hand, I'm fully prepared to watch Tampa continue to struggle and, ultimately, self destruct in a blaze of self-aggrandized whining.

What's wrong with Riley, Swish? Sugger is still looking for a job...

kexodusc

11-18-2008, 04:40 AM

Sydor will do a lot more than Boucher was doing there. Poor guy is made of glass or something. But look for Boucher to start racking up a few more points, at least until Gonchar returns to Pittsburgh.
Dallas must be the oldest team in hockey?

Swish

11-29-2008, 09:04 AM

...their defense is quite different from last year and it has taken time to gel. They won six in a row and lost near the end of O.T. last night, and they should vying for the lead in their division within a month or so. They also have the most dangerous scorer in the league right now, Jeff Carter, and Simon Gagné is playing awesome hockey and has a ton of assists.

I guess whoever said the early part of the season is an anomaly was correct. Keep your eye on the Flyers.

Swishdaddy

bobsticks

11-30-2008, 04:15 PM

Stevens needs to stop juggling the offensive lines which has resulted in nothing more than disrupting any kind of chemistry that might develop. Ol' boy needs to address the fact that their D-corp looks like the chorus line in a high-school Finnish version of La Cage Aux Folles.

Well, as it turns out I was on thr irght track and Kex made some great observations as well. Time has allowed the boys to gel it together and their play has improved tenfold.

I suspect that even with a newfound consistency that first in Atlantic may be a bit optimistic. New York seems like a house of cards and Henrik can't stand on his head forever but, and you know how much it pains me to say this, Cindy's Pens seem like the real deal.

At the end of the day, you just gotta make it to the big dance, right?

I still think you need Sugar. Riley's a warrior and a gamer but he's lost every scrap this year...watch the change-up at 53 seconds...that's what I'm talkembout...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05cff77RQTA

Swish

11-30-2008, 04:29 PM

I still think you need Sugar. Riley's a warrior and a gamer but he's lost every scrap this year...watch the change-up at 53 seconds...that's what I'm talkembout...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05cff77RQTA

Now I'm waiting for FA to brag about how her lowly Leafs beat the Flyers last night, but I have my excuse; 6 games in 9 days. How brutal is that?

I was at a Hershey Bears game last night against the Philly Phantoms and it was brutal. The Bears were up 4-0 after the 1st, 7-0 after the 2nd, and 9-0 at the end. I think Philly has a total of 13 shots on goal. I like the Bears since they're local, but they feed the Caps while the Phantoms feed the Flyers (Hershey used to be the Flyers AAA club), and if this is what their farm system looks like, they better free up some cash for free agents. They were awful!

bobsticks

11-30-2008, 04:40 PM

Hey, speaking of Hershey and tough guys...

...The Sheriff's looking for work...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2689416494_433b46cd1d.jpg

bobsticks

11-30-2008, 05:18 PM

How about that Sean Avery?!

Scoreboard, canuckian beezees...

I'm lovin' me the instigators.

bobsticks

11-30-2008, 05:23 PM

Dammit!!!

I just pulled a Swish and talked smakc and whattya know...ten seconds later them Oilers get the equalizer. Damn, Souray's shot is like a cannon. At the end of season ol' boys gonna have more assists than I have smartass comments...

...and as I type this Mods scores the go-ahead...

Ex Lion Tamer

12-01-2008, 08:49 AM

Now I'm waiting for FA to brag about how her lowly Leafs beat the Flyers last night, but I have my excuse; 6 games in 9 days. How brutal is that?

I was at a Hershey Bears game last night against the Philly Phantoms and it was brutal. The Bears were up 4-0 after the 1st, 7-0 after the 2nd, and 9-0 at the end. I think Philly has a total of 13 shots on goal. I like the Bears since they're local, but they feed the Caps while the Phantoms feed the Flyers (Hershey used to be the Flyers AAA club), and if this is what their farm system looks like, they better free up some cash for free agents. They were awful!

Pretty amazing since half of Hershey's regular line-up is up with the big club.

Swish

12-01-2008, 09:13 AM

I still think you need Sugar. Riley's a warrior and a gamer but he's lost every scrap this year...watch the change-up at 53 seconds...that's what I'm talkembout.

...a decision soon when a Randy Jones and Ryan Parent come off the DL. They sure want Jones back but don't have the cap room for him, so a trade could be in the works. I expect Parent to be send down to the Phantoms, along with Kukkonen. I hope they don't get rid of that kid Sbisa. He's playing very well for an 18 year old and could be great in a couple years. The cap is the issue though, and signing free agents isn't going to happen.

Swish

12-13-2008, 05:12 PM

Iyou know how much it pains me to say this, Cindy's Pens seem like the real deal.

Flyers ripped them a new one and took over 2nd place with a 6-3 victory.

Oh yeah baby.

Swish

bobsticks

12-13-2008, 07:06 PM

Are you still convinced?

Oh yeah baby.

Swish

Hey, I'm with you. The enemy of my enemy is my friend...I got no use for Cindy and company.

And, I don't see many teams in the East that can compete with them when they're firing on all cylinders. Certainly not the Rangers or Montreal. Maybe Boston.

The problem is that no matter what happens they gotta look to the West which has at least four teams that would give them problems.

Lotta games left though...

kexodusc

12-14-2008, 01:48 PM

Hey, I'm with you. The enemy of my enemy is my friend...I got no use for Cindy and company.

And, I don't see many teams in the East that can compete with them when they're firing on all cylinders. Certainly not the Rangers or Montreal. Maybe Boston.

The problem is that no matter what happens they gotta look to the West which has at least four teams that would give them problems.

Lotta games left though...

Regular season is regular season, and Playoffs is Playoffs.

When the it's all on the line this spring I expect the Bruins, Rangers and Habs, and maybe the Devils who are quietly playing spectacular without the greatest goalie in hockey history in the lineup, to easily give the Flyers a run for their money. It's tight this year in the East, really tight, and the conference isn't getting the respect it deserves.

Teams with great goalies find a way to win in the playoffs, teams with good goalies find a way to lose. Once every 3 or 4 years guys like Fleury and Osgood pull a Bill Ranford and win anyway but more often than not...

The Rangers have had their share of injuries and somehow have used the shootout to keep at the top of the race. I suspect they will make the biggest splash trade wise this year to try and put a run together in May.

But yeah, Tim Thomas and the Bruins look to be the class of the East so far. Phil Kessel has arrived...Zdeno Chara is beast, and Tim Thomas is the sloppiest, ugliest looking awesome goalie I've seen dominate the NHL in some time. Hasek's flopping had nothing on this guy...what a treat to watch.

As for the Flyers, I still dont' think they're a legit top 4 threat this year, but they're good enough to pull off an upset and make the finals if a few bounces go their way, they're close. But I feel they, and Washington, are best positioned in the East conference to make a few runs for the next 3-5 years after this season.
The age ol' question in Philly remains, do they have the goaltending to get the job done?
I'm a big Biron fan, but I think their future is going to have to be with someone else unless their D all of sudden all play way above their heads. Who knows though, Biron could pull a Cam Ward and get hot for a month when it counts the most.

Swish

12-15-2008, 08:37 AM

Regular season is regular season, and Playoffs is Playoffs.

When the it's all on the line this spring I expect the Bruins, Rangers and Habs, and maybe the Devils who are quietly playing spectacular without the greatest goalie in hockey history in the lineup, to easily give the Flyers a run for their money. It's tight this year in the East, really tight, and the conference isn't getting the respect it deserves.

Teams with great goalies find a way to win in the playoffs, teams with good goalies find a way to lose. Once every 3 or 4 years guys like Fleury and Osgood pull a Bill Ranford and win anyway but more often than not...

The Rangers have had their share of injuries and somehow have used the shootout to keep at the top of the race. I suspect they will make the biggest splash trade wise this year to try and put a run together in May.

But yeah, Tim Thomas and the Bruins look to be the class of the East so far. Phil Kessel has arrived...Zdeno Chara is beast, and Tim Thomas is the sloppiest, ugliest looking awesome goalie I've seen dominate the NHL in some time. Hasek's flopping had nothing on this guy...what a treat to watch.

As for the Flyers, I still dont' think they're a legit top 4 threat this year, but they're good enough to pull off an upset and make the finals if a few bounces go their way, they're close. But I feel they, and Washington, are best positioned in the East conference to make a few runs for the next 3-5 years after this season.
The age ol' question in Philly remains, do they have the goaltending to get the job done?
I'm a big Biron fan, but I think their future is going to have to be with someone else unless their D all of sudden all play way above their heads. Who knows though, Biron could pull a Cam Ward and get hot for a month when it counts the most.

...so it's only a matter of time until the Flyers are in first if they keep winning at this pace. And I don't want to hear about injuries. The Flyers have had more than their share, especially with Gagne, who's missed the early part of the season and is now on a tear, Briere, and three defensemen; Hatcher, Jones, and Parent.They basically still have a new defense that is only starting to gel, and should get better when Jones and Parent can go, although they have salary cap issues and may need to make a trade. They've also had 12 overtime games already, which is way too many, and lost 2 out of three shoot-outs, but things are starting to turn and I think they'll go deep in the playoffs this year. Again.

Swish

kexodusc

12-15-2008, 09:46 AM

...so it's only a matter of time until the Flyers are in first if they keep winning at this pace. And I don't want to hear about injuries. The Flyers have had more than their share, especially with Gagne, who's missed the early part of the season and is now on a tear, Briere, and three defensemen; Hatcher, Jones, and Parent.They basically still have a new defense that is only starting to gel, and should get better when Jones and Parent can go, although they have salary cap issues and may need to make a trade. They've also had 12 overtime games already, which is way too many, and lost 2 out of three shoot-outs, but things are starting to turn and I think they'll go deep in the playoffs this year. Again.

Swish
I would think anything less than a strong 2nd round showing would be considered an utter failure for the Flyers this year. Historically the top seed in the East has been the kiss of death at playoff time so maybe they don't want to finish first. Fly in at 2nd or 3rd and avoid some extra pressure.

They'll knock of someone in the first round. I think they match up well vs the Sabres if they can somehow swing that one - it would be a short series, not many bruisers on the Sabres, so they should escape uninjured and ready for Round 2. Avoid the Caps, Devils, and Bruins, who would each take a pound of flesh out of them if not beat them. Rotten teams to draw in the 1st round. You hope 2 of them draw each other.

To be honest, take out shootout heroics the Rangers have enjoyed (which don't exist in the playoffs) and the Flyers have easily outperformed the Rangers so far IMO...they've been underachieving big time, which probably should have been expected, in hindsight. But I suspect by April we'll have forgotten about what we've seen teams do in October-December. The Rangers have the pieces if they can only start playing like a team instead of a bunch of individuals. That's up to them though. If they don't get it together they'll be my upset pick. Again. Drury and Naslund are good characters though, and no team in hockey made as many changes this off-season as the Rangers so for them to be where they are as a mostly new, considerably different team is still somewhat impressive. If we can assume the first 20-30 games was an adjustment period for them, we should expect a stronger performance the rest fo the way.

Yeah, the Flyers have had their share of the injury bug for sure. They've finally got the character to play through them though. Injuries are part of hockey, you just hope they don't bite you in the playoffs. Except the nonsense the Capitals have had to endure this year that's just getting sick...

bobsticks

12-16-2008, 08:50 PM

I would think anything less than a strong 2nd round showing would be considered an utter failure for the Flyers this year. Historically the top seed in the East has been the kiss of death at playoff time so maybe they don't want to finish first. Fly in at 2nd or 3rd and avoid some extra pressure...

...and you really don't wanna win the President's Trophy. That's more "kiss of death" than George Lynch with the J. Frog.

Speaking of pressure-less 2nd or 3rd, anybody watchin' the B-Hawks as of late? Second in the Central I know, but that's behind a rather dominating Detroit team.Thirteen minutes and change left and they're up 8 to 1...dear lord, I think Ben Eager might get the Gordie Howe hat-trick. This is a talented group of kids that are exciting to watch.

Doubt the "Bhulin Wall" will take 'em far in the playoffs but I'm just sayin'...

kexodusc

12-17-2008, 04:36 AM

...and you really don't wanna win the President's Trophy. That's more "kiss of death" than George Lynch with the J. Frog.

Speaking of pressure-less 2nd or 3rd, anybody watchin' the B-Hawks as of late? Second in the Central I know, but that's behind a rather dominating Detroit team.Thirteen minutes and change left and they're up 8 to 1...dear lord, I think Ben Eager might get the Gordie Howe hat-trick. This is a talented group of kids that are exciting to watch.

Doubt the "Bhulin Wall" will take 'em far in the playoffs but I'm just sayin'...
The Blackhawks and Bruins are helping to get me through this year along with Jeff Carter and a handful of other players while my Senators try to get by with 3 NHL players and supporting cast of not-ready prospects AHL call-ups and pro cast offs. Bru-tal. I like their odds of winning the Tavares lottery this year though and they have a handful of very good young prospects for the first time in a decade that should be ready in 2-3 years...rough times until then. :frown5:

Nik Khabibulin and Super Huet are at least as good in net as 25 other teams have this year so unless they play NJ or NYR in the finals or Vancouver early on, goaltending won't be the issue. Youth might be. But damn Toews and Kane and Versrteeg and all those years of being so terrible are paying off. My uncle lives in Palatine, IL, scored tickets to the Winter Classic and I'm shamelessly trying to guilt him in to taking me...ain't looking good. :sad:

San Jose is going to be a great story one way or another - the ultimate redeeming victory, or most epic defeat. No pressure, Joe.

Anyway, I could think of nothing better for hockey than to see a Chicago/Boston Stanley Cup final this year...exciting teams, traditionally strong markets, Original Six to boot...if that don't give ya chills...

bobsticks

12-17-2008, 05:57 PM

San Jose is going to be a great story one way or another - the ultimate redeeming victory, or most epic defeat. No pressure, Geno....

fixed.

Anyway, I could think of nothing better for hockey than to see a Chicago/Boston Stanley Cup final this year...exciting teams, traditionally strong markets, Original Six to boot...if that don't give ya chills...

I agree with this...man, do I agree with this. I'll be thrashin' the glass at the United. I'll even make sure to send you some type of Cup merchandise and even have yer boy Alexandre Daigle autograph it. I think he's an usher there.

kexodusc

12-18-2008, 04:59 AM

fixed.

I agree with this...man, do I agree with this. I'll be thrashin' the glass at the United. I'll even make sure to send you some type of Cup merchandise and even have yer boy Alexandre Daigle autograph it. I think he's an usher there.
You really went there, huh? Daigle...sigh. Funny thing, he was the unanimous #1 pick among 24 teams that year, had a few great years on some of the worst teams in NHL history with no help, got traded to Philly and went down hill from there...though he did return and lead the Wild in scoring 3 years ago or so...now he's making movies in Hollywood while skating for the Industrial Park Beer League. The same team also found Demitra in the 9th round of the draft that year and traded him away for a new Coke machine and 31"ers for the zamboni.

True story: dude has issues. I met him once, sort of...he was sitting on his mother's lap. Not a flattering shot of an NHL player...Weird. He signed my jersey though...

He wasn't anywhere near the biggest bust of the last decade or so though...Patrick Stefan and Pavel Brendl have him licked...Carlo Colaiacovo and every other single Leaf draft pick before Luke Schenn have to be up there...

Some of you know my favorite NFL team is San Diego...I'm waiting for this to hit BluRay...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3738697

bobsticks

12-18-2008, 07:37 PM

True story: dude has issues. I met him once, sort of...he was sitting on his mother's lap. Not a flattering shot of an NHL player...Weird. He signed my jersey though...

Not surprising. I don't think he ever recovered from the time spent with Pamela Anderson...I heard when he has blood drawn they take it to the lab in a lead bag. My buddy Jacko was considered a bit of a bust, maybe more of a disciplinary problem actually, but even he made it in the Swedish leagues...

...and speaking of Scandinavia, the Bruins looked mighty impressive tonight against the Leafs who were clearly still reeling from the Mats Sundin sendoff party... which was complete with Tjord Gustavson albums, Norwegian Reindeer Meat hor d'oeuvres and boisenberry Kool-Aid...that's what I heard anyway

Sharks made a big statement and it's been kinda quiet from the OP so I'm assuming he watched the Hairy Girls whoop up on the Flyboys.

kexodusc

12-19-2008, 05:48 AM

Yeah I watched that Detroit game. The Sharks looked gassed in the pre-game skate. I think I saw one puke during the anthem.

You gotta wonder about the league when they know 2 big draws likely to be leading the conference at this time of the year play each other, one team has 3 days rest between games, the other plays it's 3rd on the road in 4 nights, 5th in a week? Wasn't much of a marquis matchup. Series tied at 1 each, this could be the conference final...My money is on SJ choking yet again...which means they'll probably finally win.

Swish

12-19-2008, 08:01 AM

Not surprising. I don't think he ever recovered from the time spent with Pamela Anderson...I heard when he has blood drawn they take it to the lab in a lead bag. My buddy Jacko was considered a bit of a bust, maybe more of a disciplinary problem actually, but even he made it in the Swedish leagues...

...and speaking of Scandinavia, the Bruins looked mighty impressive tonight against the Leafs who were clearly still reeling from the Mats Sundin sendoff party... which was complete with Tjord Gustavson albums, Norwegian Reindeer Meat hor d'oeuvres and boisenberry Kool-Aid...that's what I heard anyway

Sharks made a big statement and it's been kinda quiet from the OP so I'm assuming he watched the Hairy Girls whoop up on the Flyboys.

...it was more about bad defense in the first and no luck on some great chances. How many times can you hit the uprights and not get a goal?

As for the Sharks, what a beating they took against the Wings. 6-0? Gassed or not, they need to be up for that match up. Quit whining and start playing.

Swish

01-04-2009, 09:05 AM

you know how much it pains me to say this, Cindy's Pens seem like the real deal.

They've lost 4 in a row after getting pasted by the Panthers 6-, who broke their own 4 game losing streak. and Cindy got himself into just the second fight of his career. He got 19 total minutes for it too; instigator, unsportsmanlike conduct, and the fight itself. Looks like he's becoming more unhinged than an Oklahoma cellar door in a cat 5 hurricane.

The Flyers had yet another shootout last night and lost it after having won on Friday night. That's a league-leading 8 OTs, but they were able to take the Atlantic lead with 50 points, although that will be short-lived when the Ranges kick the snot out of the Pens tonight.

bobsticks

01-04-2009, 06:04 PM

... when the Ranges kick the snot out of the Pens tonight.

um...well, that's tomorrow night...but I hope, sir, that you are correct.

Swish

01-06-2009, 07:23 PM

um...well, that's tomorrow night...but I hope, sir, that you are correct.

....about the result anyway. I hate the Rangers nearly as much as the Pens, but seeing them crush Cindy and company 4-0 was sweet.

As for the Fly Boys, tonight was their third SO in a row, and their 16th OT game. I'll take the point since the Caps have the best home record in the league, but I still have this nasty dislike of SOs. At least nobody got Semin-ized tonight. :p

bobsticks

01-06-2009, 07:32 PM

....about the result anyway. I hate the Rangers nearly as much as the Pens, but seeing them crush Cindy and company 4-0 was sweet.

Get ready for another reason to hate the Rangers...The Return of Sean Avery...oh, it's a-commin'.

What's going on wit yer boy Simon Gagne? That's a lot of money to dole out for such a lackluster performance...can you say "Drury"?...can you say "Gomez"?

Fortunately for the Flyboys, they've managed to find a variety of ways to remain competitive.

bobsticks

01-06-2009, 09:19 PM

.... At least nobody got Semin-ized tonight. :p

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OK6TVwqAB9Q&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OK6TVwqAB9Q&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

Swish

01-07-2009, 12:51 PM

Swish

01-07-2009, 02:20 PM

Get ready for another reason to hate the Rangers...The Return of Sean Avery...oh, it's a-commin'.

What's going on wit yer boy Simon Gagne? That's a lot of money to dole out for such a lackluster performance...can you say "Drury"?...can you say "Gomez"?

Fortunately for the Flyboys, they've managed to find a variety of ways to remain competitive.

I think that would be a foolish move on their part, but if they want to become the Cowboys of the NHL, then go for it.

Gagne will be fine. He's had some nagging injuries and was out a couple games with a shoulder injury, and I don't think he's even 70% yet. But he will get hot again like he was a few weeks ago. He's among the best players in the league and deserved the money. Everyone goes through a rough patch now and again. He has 40 points and is a +18, so you can't fault him there, and he could eclipse his 68 points from a couple years ago.

kexodusc

01-07-2009, 03:55 PM

I think that would be a foolish move on their part, but if they want to become the Cowboys of the NHL, then go for it.

Gagne will be fine. He's had some nagging injuries and was out a couple games with a shoulder injury, and I don't think he's even 70% yet. But he will get hot again like he was a few weeks ago. He's among the best players in the league and deserved the money. Everyone goes through a rough patch now and again. He has 40 points and is a +18, so you can't fault him there, and he could eclipse his 68 points from a couple years ago.
Gagne's defensive play is what really sets him apart from the pure point getters in the NHL...he has it, most don't. So much of what makes him worth his contract (when he's healthy) isn't flash, but it keeps the puck out of the net. Granted he showed a lot more of it under the old coaches, I think that's just the current bosses trying to keep him higher for his speedy breakouts. There's a reason Team Canada keeps begging for this guy to play for them, and keeps Eric Staal, Marc Savard, and Danny Briere on the extended depth chart.

Ain't no way in hell Avery is going back to the Rangers. Drury and Redden can't stand the guy and he's too close to the league offices and spotlight for them. West Coast or Phoenix maybe. Somewhere he can fly under the radar but help a team.

I think he might be buried in the minors or f-off to Europe though. Dallas might not buy him out for another year or so and that's a long time. Too bad, I like his game if he stops the sideshow.

bobsticks

01-07-2009, 04:26 PM

Did I miss something? Did you upload the wrong fight? Am I losing my mind?

No, you noted that nobody got "Seminized" and that was certainly an example of such; two of the premier heavywieghts not named Brashear or LaRaque...kinda an anti-Seminizing, as it were, with no bongo playing.

bobsticks

01-07-2009, 04:35 PM

Ain't no way in hell Avery is going back to the Rangers. Drury and Redden can't stand the guy and he's too close to the league offices and spotlight for them. West Coast or Phoenix maybe. Somewhere he can fly under the radar but help a team.

I think he might be buried in the minors or f-off to Europe though. Dallas might not buy him out for another year or so and that's a long time. Too bad, I like his game if he stops the sideshow.

Don't be too sure Kex. Redden may not be too long for the Blue & Red, so that may be a non-issue and the New York management may be scrambling a bit. I don't believe he is ultimately a ticket to Stanley Cup success but Sather may feel some pressure from the public.

I agree with your assessment of Gagne it's just that I've been far too supportive of Swish and his teams recently and feel the need to inject a bit of the smack into an otherwise homogeneous conversation.

bobsticks

02-04-2009, 07:18 PM

...how about that David Krejci?

Ol' boy's got more points than Mike Richards and Simone Gagne...

...got more points than Lupul and Upshall combined.

At least it wasn't a shootout loss.

Swish

02-04-2009, 07:25 PM

...how about that David Krejci?

Ol' boy's got more points than Mike Richards and Simone Gagne...

...got more points than Lupul and Upshall combined.

At least it wasn't a shootout loss.

...totally sh<a>it goals in the 3rd and won it. Yeah, the Flyers didn't score to help themselves, but Boston's second was thru a sea of players and Biron had no chance, and the third was off one skate and the Biron's, a total shatty goal. I can't fault the Flyers for that loss. They played them even up and didn't have any luck while Boston got lucky twice. No bellyaching, just the facts.

bobsticks

02-04-2009, 07:39 PM

Excuses, excuses...

<object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f4Uo3VkoBr4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f4Uo3VkoBr4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object>

Swish

02-07-2009, 02:59 PM

Excuses, excuses...

Looks like the Flyers got the same sh<a>itty type of goal against the Bruins, albeit to win in O.T., that the Bruins got on our ice the other night, and right after Boston nearly won with a shot that could iron. I liked the comeback from the 3-1 deficit. They didn't quit this time.

Rich-n-Texas

02-07-2009, 03:10 PM

Yeah so like I was sayin' in another thread... my Dallas Stars absolutely HAMMERED the Rangers last night. It was a :lol:er

Swish

02-08-2009, 06:30 AM

Yeah so like I was sayin' in another thread... my Dallas Stars absolutely HAMMERED the Rangers last night. It was a :lol:er

I thought Tom Hicks owned them, or are you actually Tom and not Rich, although if you really are Tom, you would be rich to the tune of about $1.3 Billion. :lol:

Either way, I'm glad the Stars beat the Rangers. 1-0 would have been fine with me, but the total drilling was icing on the proverbial cake.

bobsticks

02-08-2009, 01:27 PM

Mike V gave yer boy Riley some love. Check it out...btw, it doesn't escape me that in your fogeyness you may have missed that chapter in American counterculture in which Mike V.'s legend was birthed. No shame, old sport, no shame...

<object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TIShrFDM-p0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TIShrFDM-p0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Vallely

Swish

02-08-2009, 04:34 PM

bobsticks

02-08-2009, 04:57 PM

I don't think Riley was alive in the 1950s.

Swish

02-15-2009, 12:53 PM

I don't think Riley was alive in the 1950s.

...that looks aren't everything.

Did you see the Fly Boys kick butt in NY today? A total annihilation of the once proud Rangers, taking a 5-0 lead that included a 3 on 5 shortie by Richards (the third such goal in his career and he now has the NHL record) before coasting to a 5-2 win.

Have you noticed the floundering Penguins are 6 points out of the playoffs for now? How funny would that be if they missed this year?

bobsticks

02-15-2009, 01:05 PM

I didn't get to see that. Between the construction going on around these parts and preparing for a move I've got the rig under wraps and the tunes library mothballed. Realtime media is not at a premium and I'm getting most of my updates via the web these days. I'm very much living the life of man in a suitcase. Shame too, because this is usually my favorite time of year.

As for the immediate future of the Penguins, Fox Chappel better get ready for a huge run on golf skirts when Cindy gets ready to hit the links.

Rich-n-Texas

02-15-2009, 04:52 PM

I saw the score was 5 - 2 after the 2nd, and I was sooo hoping I'd come into this thread to see Swish post a 10 - 2 final score. Looks like the Rangers are becoming the whipping boys of the NHL. :thumbsup:

Swish

02-16-2009, 08:11 AM

Looks like the Rangers are becoming the whipping boys of the NHL. :thumbsup:

This was the first place team until their recent slide and they just can't seem to get their ****e together. They're not scoring much and I don't see Renney staying around there much longer. They have too much talent to play this poorly. The Penguins just canned Therrien, a coach who led them to the Stanley Cup finals last year, and if NY continues to slide, I think Renney can kiss his butt goodbye.

As for Bobsticks earlier prediction, perhaps they will bring that nut-case Avery back to see if that's the kind of thing they need. He cleared waivers so you never know.

Swish

02-17-2009, 04:14 AM

...in a Shoot-Out. The new coach has his work cut out for him. I'm lovin' this stuff.

kexodusc

02-17-2009, 04:45 AM

Hey my Sens have finally found themselves again. After a year of playing boring defensive 1-2-2 hockey on a roster loaded with speed, it took a minor league coach to come in and say WTF. Too late to make it, but a good sign for next year.

As for Pittsburgh. I told anyone who would listen last year that the Pens were on the way down after some of the moves they made. Losing Gonchar all year didn't help, but they're missing Malone, Roberts, Hossa - big bodies to stand in front of the net and put home those rebounds. They've got the dangle, but not enough dongle on that club.
I still hate them for being rewarded for being a crappy franchise. I'm not opposed to the worst teams getting the top picks, but when you suck like Pittsburgh did on purpose for so long, getting Malkin, Crosby, Staal, Fleury, etc, that's cheap. Enough ranting.

Oh, Staal will be traded, this summer probably. For not nearly enough. Then he'll get to play on the top 2 lines and finally get a fair shake. Columbus is my guess.

Swish

02-17-2009, 04:34 PM

kexodusc

02-17-2009, 05:50 PM

...that would help matters, but no. I don't think Malone was a big loss, but Hossa? For sure. I also concur with you on them being rewarded for being lousy. It really does suck when other teams have to work the farm system, the trades, and the salary caps in hopes of making it happen.
Gonchar will take a few weeks minimum to get back to mid-season form and be anything close to the Gonchar they need. That's being optimistic. Tough break there but it looks good on them.
Yeah, Malone wasn't a superstar, but he had a phenomenal season and was very effective on that Pittsburgh team. He's a big crashing body along with Roberts who gave the D a taste of a different kind of offence. They scored ugly goals and made a lot of room for the pretty boys. Pittsburgh's lacking that dimension this year. Hossa drives the net too and is a big banging skilled forward that doesn't get enough credit for his willingness to get in traffic. I've seen it happen lots - the lunch pail workers get dealt or sing elsewhere and it's just not the right fit. The team they left can't figure out why they can't win on skill alone. Look at Detroit. They've ALWAYS had a healthy mix of both.

On the other, the hand ex-playoff phenom RJ Umberger is exceeding expectations in Columbus...sometimes it does work out. Wonder who will be this year's John Druce?

I don't mind Pittsburgh getting the picks, but c'mon...most franchises can pick high for a decade and not land talent on par with Crosby, Malkin, Staal, and Fleury...Look at the Islanders and Coyotes. It's pure luck.
Think of Atlanta...imagine if Ovechkin or Crosby was 18 the year they drafted Patrik Stefan? Oh well, no sense whining. Darn Penguins.

bobsticks

03-04-2009, 06:10 PM

Damn good call. The Flyers went completely against the grain, defying any analysis that might indicate they needed their goaltending situation altered and, in turn, addressed their need for an aging, slow defenceman. That's the stuff that champions are made of...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=A0wNdcAzM69Je20A9wJ7vLYF?slug=ap-flyers-trades&prov=ap&type=lgns

kexodusc

03-05-2009, 06:36 AM

Flyers fans are going to LOVE Carcillo. I don't know if he'll play much in the playoffs. Maybe vs Boston and NJ if they need an edge, but that was a great move by the Flyers. He was born to play in Philly.

I like that deal.

McLaren won't hurt them, but I doubt the Flyers could make a deal that wouldn't hurt their roster elsewhere to land a goalie at the deadline - too many teams in the mix and the only really good goalie available is hurt this year and went to Ottawa.

The Flyers pretty much will get a blockbuster boost just by getting Briere back for the stretch. He's no Hossa or Jokinen but he really upgrades the scoring threat on the on the top 3 lines and that can't be understated. If he can stay healthy, which shouldn't be a problem since the surgery was done to correct the issue that kept putting him on the IR in the first place. We'll see.

But unless one of the goalies plays above their head for a few games they'll have to get lucky to win more than a playoff round.

bobsticks

03-05-2009, 07:29 AM

I like to say the word " Nittymaki" in that Old English, James Clayton, Iron Maiden Number of the Beast voice...repeatedly.

bobsticks

04-20-2009, 04:17 PM

Swish

04-20-2009, 04:29 PM

Damn, Swishy, yer boys looked like a team last night and that Giroux kid has got some hands....whatta pass through the crease.

The 'Hawks and the Red Wings still look mighty impressive and I don't think the Sharks are out of it yet. None the less, I still am rooting for your boys at least through this round...after that it's anybody's guess. We'll have to look at some gentlemen's bets as we move toward the Finals.

...effort. When the Pens tied it at 2-2 I was livid, thinking the Flyboys wouldn't recover. I still think they're getting the short end 'o the stick from the zebras, especially out there. I can't remember the player, but he was moving toward the net to shoot and got cross-checked into the side of the goal with no call. If that were me I prolly would have knee-capped that ref.

They need to win the next two, no question, but I'm wondering how they can get past their next opponent. They just don't seem to be the same team they were a few weeks ago, limping into the playoffs when they had several chances to sew up home ice for at least the first round. I can't understand it, but maybe they can get their heads back on straight.

kexodusc

04-22-2009, 02:40 PM

Nice. Just scored me some sweet seats to Game 5 in Chicago!!!

bobsticks

04-22-2009, 03:18 PM

Nice. Just scored me some sweet seats to Game 5 in Chicago!!!

Nniiiiiicccccceeeee!!!!!

kexodusc

04-23-2009, 04:58 AM

Nniiiiiicccccceeeee!!!!!
Ok, not completely - the deal was I had to watch the White Sox/Mariners later in the week.

But I do have game 7 if necessary taken care of too...

Feanor

04-23-2009, 05:50 AM

...it's not so much that you can write them off completely despite the 0-and-5 start...but losing to your own farm club is beyond borderline suck-a-tude. Wasn't last season supposed to be thier "rebuilding" year?

The 'Rave Recordings' forum has just about bottomed out. Bad enough that the music mentioned here is virtually all popular rubbish; now we're discussing sports. :mad2:

Discussion elsewhere turned to why so many had abandoned AR a few years ago. Is it going to be a déjà vu vue all over again, (to quote Yogi Berra)?

kexodusc

04-23-2009, 06:14 AM

The 'Rave Recordings' forum has just about bottomed out. Bad enough that the music mentioned here is virtually all popular rubbish; now we're discussing sports. :mad2:

Discussion elsewhere turned to why so many had abandoned AR a few years ago. Is it going to be a déjà vu vue all over again, (to quote Yogi Berra)?

There are those of us who hold the view any forum is about more than the discussion topics. Some of us only came to this site by virtue of the rave-recs community.

The mods failed to move this, so we continue to post. Nobody's hurt. Surely you've got bigger things to worry about than this?

Feanor

04-23-2009, 08:05 AM

There are those of us who hold the view any forum is about more than the discussion topics. Some of us only came to this site by virtue of the rave-recs community.

The mods failed to move this, so we continue to post. Nobody's hurt. Surely you've got bigger things to worry about than this?

I should quit worrying and just stay away. :frown2:

ForeverAutumn

04-23-2009, 11:20 AM

Oh, come on! This thread has been running in RR since October 2008. Five pages and over 100 posts later it gets moved? Not that I care one way or the other where this thread is posted, but come on!

I can honestly say that this thread would likely have never reached five pages and over 100 posts if it had been posted in the Off Topic forum in the first place. And if it did hit those numbers, it would have derailed a long time ago. Sometimes there's a reason for OT posts being in certain forums. It has more to do with the personality of the people frequenting a specific forum than the rules of staying on topic. As is the case here.

Feanor. I never knew you had such clout around here! :biggrin5:

bobsticks

04-23-2009, 03:01 PM

Swish

04-24-2009, 04:03 AM

I suppose I can understand why some folks would want to keep everything neat and tidy... at the same time I do have to echo Kex and Autumn's statements in that this thread prolly would've never reach such length in any other sub forum. Sometimes it's about reaching specific targets.

In any case, clearly I have been remiss in my duties...looking at recent topics it's clear that "diversity" hasn't been a goal. I'll commence rabble-rousing with esoteric banter as soon as possible...

Geez, how can ya not love the thread though? If this were SticksReview.com I'd be proud to have a thread that had the phrases "Anterro NittySwish" and "Finnish version of La Cage Aux Folles" in any category under the banner...

---sticks

Seriously. I come to RR to chat with people I've known for years, some of whom I've actually met in person, and while we usually talk about music, we often delve into sports, A/V, computers...you name it. Moving this thread after all this time is akin to heresy, There are bigger issues to deal with in this lifetime, and I don't need this crap. Want to lose another long time poster here? Move my thread again jagoff.

Swish

04-24-2009, 04:06 AM

The 'Rave Recordings' forum has just about bottomed out. Bad enough that the music mentioned here is virtually all popular rubbish; now we're discussing sports. :mad2:

Discussion elsewhere turned to why so many had abandoned AR a few years ago. Is it going to be a déjà vu vue all over again, (to quote Yogi Berra)?

Do tell please, because the music I like and discuss is far from 'popular rubbish'. It's mostly indie rubbish, thank you very much.

kexodusc

04-24-2009, 04:35 AM

See what you did Feanor? You pissed off the Flyers' biggest cheerleader and word obviously reached the dressing room. So what happens? They responded by shutting out 2 of my hockey pool picks (Kunitz, Gonchar). You could end up owing me twenty bucks...

ForeverAutumn

04-24-2009, 09:13 AM

There are bigger issues to deal with in this lifetime... Want to lose another long time poster here? Move my thread again jagoff.

Take your own advice. Down boy.

At least they left the link to the thread on RR so it's still easy enough to get to...which kind of begs the question, why move it all? But whatever, it's not the end of the world.

Now, to get this thread back on topic. I've not really been following the playoffs this year since my Leafs have been out of it since about 1999. But I have to admit that it was sweet to see the Habs get swept under the rug in four games. :)

kexodusc

04-24-2009, 10:09 AM

Take your own advice. Down boy.

At least they left the link to the thread on RR so it's still easy enough to get to...which kind of begs the question, why move it all? But whatever, it's not the end of the world.

Now, to get this thread back on topic. I've not really been following the playoffs this year since my Leafs have been out of it since about 1999. But I have to admit that it was sweet to see the Habs get swept under the rug in four games. :)
Yeah, that was pretty sweet.
I've been cheering for my hockey pool, and whatever team is playing against the preferred teams of people I know. So right now I love the Penguins. :devil:

Rooting for St. Louis and Carolina hasn't been getting me very far though...

Swish

04-24-2009, 10:21 AM

Take your own advice. Down boy.

At least they left the link to the thread on RR so it's still easy enough to get to...which kind of begs the question, why move it all? But whatever, it's not the end of the world.

Now, to get this thread back on topic. I've not really been following the playoffs this year since my Leafs have been out of it since about 1999. But I have to admit that it was sweet to see the Habs get swept under the rug in four games. :)

Yes, the Habs sweep was about as sweet as it gets. Their fans, at least those that show up for the games, are idiots, booing the National Anthem of the U.S. What are they thinking? And I'm really tired of them booing Brière every time he handles the puck, all because he didn't go there as a free agent, refusing their counter-offer after he chose the Flyers. They should respect the fact that he chose the team he wanted to play for and not the one offering the most money.

Swish

04-24-2009, 10:24 AM

Yeah, that was pretty sweet.
I've been cheering for my hockey pool, and whatever team is playing against the preferred teams of people I know. So right now I love the Penguins. :devil:

Rooting for St. Louis and Carolina hasn't been getting me very far though...

...in stripes they call referees and linesmen. Elbows in the mouth, slashes, trips, and none get called. Watching the 3-0 shutout of Cindy and company last night was a nice lift after losing that game on Sunday where the Flyers outplayed the Pens in virtually every facet of the game except goals scored. Fleury was just playing out of his arse, so what can you do? I think I counted 4 shot that caught iron, but all bounced away. Now they need to figure out how to win back in Philly and then again in the 'burgh. It could happen!

kexodusc

04-24-2009, 10:58 AM

It could happen!
Been a weird playoff so far. As much as Fleury stole a game, things could be worse.

Luongo stole 4 games vs St. Louis. Lundqvist has stolen 3 by himself. Hiller stole 2 the Ducks had no business winning.

These kind of flukey performances rarely last, but Lunqvist and Luongo are top 3 goalies in so they could keep doing it....and Anaheim has got the tools and are firing on all cylinders at the right time...toughest #8 team I can recall. The only thing saving me in my pool is the fact all my opponents are also losing 3-4 players in the first round.

Entertainment wise, the games have generally been better this year. The Chicago/Calgary and NJ/Carolina series are awesome displays of hockey.

The Flyers are good enough to beat a few of the other East teams, but unfortunately the Penguins special teams and top 2 lines are a bad match for them. I wouldn't write them off completely but, it looks grim. Funny how it goes... I would expect the Flyers to polish off the Rangers in a matchup, while I'd take the Rangers over the Pens...luck of the draw sometimes.

bobsticks

04-24-2009, 01:58 PM

But I have to admit that it was sweet to see the Habs get swept under the rug in four games. :)

Amen. i've never been a bruins fan before but, dammit, Black and Gold, bay-bay!!

bobsticks

04-30-2009, 04:43 AM

Losing to the much reviled Penguins was tough, even knowing the Flyers weren't good enough to win it all. I just wanted to see them put and end to their season. That stupid fight that Carcillo started changed everything. Now it's ABBP.

Yeah, this Pitt/Washington duel is gonna be a tough series. I'm sure I can count on you to watch from the side, fully invested in the downfall of the Pens and exuding every bit of bad karma you can.
__________________

Swish

04-30-2009, 06:07 AM

Yeah, this Pitt/Washington duel is gonna be a tough series. I'm sure I can count on you to watch from the side, fully invested in the downfall of the Pens and exuding every bit of bad karma you can.
__________________

...right now as we're getting our house in order before we put it on the market. We've been in this home for over 10 years and have lots of consolidating to do, cleaning out the closets and what not. I hate moving, but I'm kind of looking forward to it this time.

I don't like the Capitals much, but they're my favorite team until this series it over!

bobsticks

04-30-2009, 10:16 AM

...right now as we're getting our house in order before we put it on the market. We've been in this home for over 10 years and have lots of consolidating to do, cleaning out the closets and what not. I hate moving, but I'm kind of looking forward to it this time.

I don't like the Capitals much, but they're my favorite team until this series it over!

Having just gone through a move after a similar time period in a domicile I can definetely relate. Alott extra time for going through those long-since-touched treasure troves. After seven years in one locale I was forced to recognise my packrat tendencies...and, of course, the decision making process involves laying your hands on everything for one last time to dtermine if it needs to go to the needy or just to to landfill.

I gotta tell ya, it's a liberating feeling. i got absolutely ruthless at the end. Sometimes I think that our stuff owns us. I appreciate the minimalism right now.

As fer the Caps being your favorite, I'll take a pass on the whole series with the understanding that Boston will absolutely annhilate either team that crosses their path. The East is still up for grabs though. I've not-so-secretly been very envious of Kex and his forays to Chi-town. Circumstances have put me not only in a new job and career but, temporarily, at the top spot on the foodchain. Freetime has not been at a premium.

Swish

04-30-2009, 03:31 PM

Having just gone through a move after a similar time period in a domicile I can definetely relate. Alott extra time for going through those long-since-touched treasure troves. After seven years in one locale I was forced to recognise my packrat tendencies...and, of course, the decision making process involves laying your hands on everything for one last time to dtermine if it needs to go to the needy or just to to landfill.

I gotta tell ya, it's a liberating feeling. i got absolutely ruthless at the end. Sometimes I think that our stuff owns us. I appreciate the minimalism right now.

As fer the Caps being your favorite, I'll take a pass on the whole series with the understanding that Boston will absolutely annhilate either team that crosses their path. The East is still up for grabs though. I've not-so-secretly been very envious of Kex and his forays to Chi-town. Circumstances have put me not only in a new job and career but, temporarily, at the top spot on the foodchain. Freetime has not been at a premium.

...and 3 of those were relocations, and this will be # 9. We built this home and have lived here longer than any other place, and we really love it. We customized a lot of it after it was built, my favorite part being my beloved basement with my HT room and wet bar area. I will miss it, but plan to have a larger HT room at our new home. Truth is, the home is too big for 2 people and we're downsizing for one. We also want to be on the south side of our county, nearer our granddaughter and most of our friends.

As for simplifying, I'm all for it. We are donating a boatload of clothing and even some furniture to the Salvation Army and a couple other local organizations. Some things will be getting the heave-ho, and we will end up a lot better off without all the clutter that seems to be taking over every available space.

Hockey is occupying very little space in my head right now with baseball (St. Louis Cardinals fan) and golf in fully swing...pun intended. I'll keep an eye on it, but it won't be the same without the Flyboys involved.

bobsticks

05-23-2009, 05:07 PM

I know ya gots a lot on yer plate Swishy and that the Pens are a minor but annoying concern but I can assure you they won't win a cup.

That said, they're a shoe-in to win this series. I just heard the second dumbest thing in twenty-four hours form a hockey announcers, "There's a lot of activity (from the Pens) in the offensive zone but no results due to the Cane's (vapid adjective) D". The Cane's are flat footed, not attcking the puck in either zone and, frankly, look gassed.

I couldn't swear on it but I'd imagine the Cane's regular season record would reflect that against teams with winning records they fare quite poorly. In any case, they can't compete with the offense of Pittsburgh...but the tide will change when them boys go west...

kexodusc

05-24-2009, 04:36 AM

I know ya gots a lot on yer plate Swishy and that the Pens are a minor but annoying concern but I can assure you they won't win a cup.

Ugh.. I hate to disagree about the demise of the Penguins, but it looks like the stars are lining up. Crosby in particular is playing a tough, gritty, physical, aggressive game I haven't seen from him before and as much as it pains me to say it there's nobody in the world near his level right now. I'll give him some credit, I've never seen anyone skate through more un-called slashes, hooks, and holds to make things happen. He's still a weenie though. Throw in that cherry picking Malkin who's also figuring out how to play playoff hockey, and they are going to win it all now. Which drives me nuts - a whole franchise built on lottery balls and lucky timing. :mad2:

I want to believe the Hawks will rally. I want to believe the Wings can beat the Pens if they don't, but Datysuk, Hossa, and Zetterberg aren't playing well, and the Wings are starting to look a bit old and slow. Pittsburgh's vulnerable to physicality, but Detroit's not exactly oozing in that anymore. Washington and Philly might prove to be the toughest opponents they had to face.

I think Chicago matches up vs the Pens much better than Detroit this year, but I'm not sure they can pull off the upset. Guess we'll find out.

My only hope is the Canes go out in 4 and a 2 week layoff does what it does historically to most finalists - destroy the timing, momentum, and chemistry enough to give the team with the short break a big upper hand going in.