In honor of this thread, I watched The Mighty Ducks!
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In honor of this thread, I watched The Mighty Ducks!
I watched woman's softball, the g/f was all like "watch it with me!".
Pronger's (former Oiler) hit on McAmmond (former Oiler)... intentional, or accident? I wonder if he'll be suspended for another game (or more)?
That was CRAZY... McAmmond looked like he was KOd... slid right into the boards.
Ottawa needed to win that game... and they played like it. Next game will be crucial. Anaheim either goes up 3-1 and puts a death grip on the series, or Ottawa ties the series up.
Pretty good series thus far... REAL rough... just the way that I like it!
Pronger suspended for another game, which he deserves since McAmmond is injured. It didn't look like such a terrible elbowing, but it's hard to tell with concussions though. Chris Neil's flying forearm looked worse, but since McDonald got right back up there was no issue made of it.
Was McAmmond also an Oiler previously? I knew he played for Calgary, but damn that guy's been all over the league.
Yea... late 90's.Quote:
Originally Posted by r'aggro
He has always been a speed guy (trademark of the Oilers). His best season he had like 56 points or sumthin... not bad for the heyday of the trap.
And yea... he's been around.
Can't say that I've ever seen a player take a slapshot at another. That was crazy.
I am starting to wonder about Alfredsson... I saw him board a Sabre player in the last round and then question how bad the guy was hurt when he appeared later on in the game (with a very stiff neck I'm sure).
He is starting to look like a prima donna to me.
No penalty, and then he throws the biggest punch in the ensuing scrum and doesn't get penalized for that either.
What the hell are these refs smoking?
Seems a bit out of character, doesn't it? Maybe it's frustration due to the cup slipping out of his grasp. I didn't call it, but it looks like Anaheim will be champions.
Normally I would have agreed.Quote:
Seems a bit out of character, doesn't it?
But after seeing him obviously board that Buffalo player, and then alude to it being a dive on the guys part... I wonder.
And at that point in the game, it was going into the third period with Ottawa behind only a goal. The game was hardly decided at that point... so I don't think that he saw it "slipping away". And he was very lucky not to have gotten a penalty for it... or the only good punch that was thrown in the ensuing scrum.
I had mentioned that the key in the series would be how well Anaheim shut down the Alfredsson/Heatley/Spezza line who were completely unstoppable in pervious series. And at least thus far, it looks like we have our answer.
Other than just that, Ottawa looks VERY rusty... missing easy passes, and tripping on their own ice. They need to play much more crisp and make some of the easier plays if they are to have any chance in this series.
WOW!
After bashing the Islanders because of Yashin's and DiPietro's contracts:
Hard decision... and painful decision... but the right one after having made the horrendous one of aquiring him.Quote:
Islanders to buy out Yashin's contract
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Islanders said they will buy out the four years remaining on captain Alexei Yashin's 10-year contract.
"This decision was one of the hardest I have ever had to make" Islanders' owner Charles Wang said in a statement on the team's Web site Wednesday. "The organization holds Alexei in the highest regard - as a player, as a teammate and as a person. He was part of the revival of the franchise at a time when we had not qualified for the playoffs for eight seasons."
The 33-year-old Yashin was traded to the Islanders by the Ottawa Senators after the 2000-01 season. New York later signed the Russian to a 10-year contract worth $87.5 million. The four years left on the deal are worth $26.45 million, according to a report in Newsday.
"The Islanders have treated me with the utmost respect," Yashin said on the Islanders' Web site. "I've always believed in the vision Charles Wang has for the organization and although I won't be a part of it, I believe that the team is headed in the right direction. I'm looking forward to this new chapter in my life."
He had 119 goals and 171 assists for 290 points in 346 games, but struggled the last two seasons, missing 24 games this season with a sprained right knee. He was scoreless in the Islanders' 4-1 first-round playoff loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
Under the NHL collective bargaining agreement, the Islanders can buy Yashin out by paying two-thirds of the remaining amount ($17.63 million) over the next eight years. The salary-cap hit would be some $2.2 million per season over that time.
Final cost of Spezza, and Chara among others...
The Isles will continue to pay him 2.2M per year...for how many more years??:eek:
Still, I think the concensus among NYI fans is that it's worth it. The cap will climb about that much every other year anyway.
He's a good player, just not worth what Milbury offered him. He'll get a job somewhere else.
Eight I think. Yea... will hurt a bit, but much less than what they were paying him.Quote:
The Isles will continue to pay him 2.2M per year...for how many more years??
In the past, he has shown to produce in the regular season. But he has always bombed in the playoffs. His attitude (re: work ethic) towards the game has been questioned. He was delegated to fourth line status during this last season by the coach... a 6+ million dollar player playing on the last line?!?Quote:
He's a good player, just not worth what Milbury offered him. He'll get a job somewhere else.
His past two regular seasons have not been good. People speculate it's because he is currently under a large contract and thinks that he doesn't have to work anymore.
I think that the guy has talent... but can't cope with the playoffs. If you are looking for a player that will help produce in the regular season, then Yashin may be your guy... especially if he's anticipating a big contract as a reward at the end of the season. It will be interesting to see who pays what for him.
I'm thinking 3-4M per year. He could really help someone if he goes to a team where he isn't expected to be 'the man'.
Wonder how he is on the wing...
I think thats a fair price for him. And I agree that he may do better in a system where he's not expected to be the top lines center.Quote:
Originally Posted by r'aggro
That being said, I think that he'll never be a playoff performer. And I think that he plays purely for money... not for any love of the game. He'll have a great regular season if he anticipates a big payday at the end of the season.
NHL draft today biiiiatches!
The Oilers look to create a dynasty that will make Gretzky, Coffey, Kurri, Messier, Lowe, Fuhr look like chopped liver... they will not lose a game next season!
:)
So did things go as planned?;)
I was a bit surprised at your #15.:D , but maybe that's why I'm not a GM. I can appreciate a team taking a huge d-man though, and plante is supposed to be a pretty good puck mover for such a big guy. It's just that I was crapping while all those teams including Edm took a pass on the russian. The rangers lucked out getting him so late, imo. Aside from that, Gagner will be solid for you guys and was a totally safe pick.
I thought Philly would take Turris for sure, but I like van riemsdyk. the Flyers should always have some big players, they have a reputation to maintain. (While getting better, I hope.:cool: ) John Leclair is one of my favorite players and he sounds like that type of player but with more speed.
Maybe better than planned. Maybe worse.Quote:
Originally Posted by r'aggro
The Oilers are LOADED at the forward position... both in active players, and in prospects (i.e. they picked up two great prospects when they traded Smyth to the Island). They also have good goalie prospects and defensive prospects.
What they absolutely lack right now are mobile, and offensive defensemen. They have two good defensive, stay at home defensemen in Staois and Smith.
I was kind of hoping that with all their picks, that they may trade one or two of them for some offensive defensemen. Ones who can QB the powerplay, and also make a great breakout pass out of the defensive zone.
I was a little disappointed that they picked two more forwards with two of their three first round picks. But hey... I'm not a GM. I also think that you have to pick the best player available at the moment that you pick... not nessessarily what you need the most.
And of course there is always free agency to fill in the holes. For defensemen, Wade Redden and Sheldon Souray are available. Maybe the Oilers have plans at bringing one, or even both onboard. I also know that they have plenty of cap room. They had cap room when Pronger was traded and he wasn't replaced with another high priced superstar. They further created more cap room when Smyth was traded. So as far as I'm concerned... they had BETTER be pretty active in free agency... making a push to get someone like Redden or Souray.
Plante was from the Calgary Hitmen. Oiler scouts probably had PLENTY of opportiunity to see and evaluate him. And he may be able to play right away... as he is 225lbs. There will be no need for him to put on extra weight to play in the NHL (i.e. when Pronger first came into the league, he was a 6-6, 190lb STRING BEAN... who needed to put on some weight). In fact... he may not even be done growing.
And the Oilers had the last pick in the first round, and also the 6th pick of the second round. They apparently traded the two to move up the 21 in the 1st round. So someone who they really liked must have been available at 21st overall for them to move up. I hope their scouts saw something big there.
Their 6th pick overall was solid. That guy may be a few years away from contributing... but they have loads at the forward position. There will be no need to rush there.
Overall, a good draft I think. But still some holes that need to be addressed. I will reserve my judgement until I see what they do in free agency.
Pre the new NHL, the Oil was a farm system for the rest of the league. It is working out for them well now though as they have an accumulation of prospects that many other teams don't have the luxury of having. The future looks good... I just don't know about the NOW.
You must be right about needing offensive d-men, cause over the last two weeks I have read dozens of oilfan posts on flyers boards about what it would take to get Joni Pitkanen. Problem is, the proposals are generally laughable but they come in droves anyway. :confused: Ah well. I'd just as soon keep him, despite having a rough season last year. The whole team was bad; he's just one of the scapegoats.
I know K Lowe and Holmgren were doing a lot of talking lately trying to do some kind of deal (idk if it involved Pitkanen or not) but it fell through at the last minute.
Yea... I've heard Pitkanen's name come up on the shopping list. Him and Redden.
I'm not familiar with his game though... what's the scouting report on him from you?
:)
Sky-high potential, not sure if he has the mindset to ever get there. He's the guy Philly took when they traded for TB's fourth overall in...'02? taken right after Boumeester. He's a stud, and proved it his rookie year. He's big but not overly physical, but does everything well offensively. I've seen this guy storm in and bury game winning goals, not just fire them from the point. Good passer. Used to have a good nasty streak, but lost a bunch of swagger after a muscle tear.
It's an analogy that I'm tired of seeing, but it fits: he's either the next Lidstrom, or he's another Jani Niennema who I'm sure you remember. He has all the tools but is still too young to tell, like most d-men in their early twenties..
Wow.Quote:
Sky-high potential, not sure if he has the mindset to ever get there. He's the guy Philly took when they traded for TB's fourth overall in...'02? taken right after Boumeester. He's a stud, and proved it his rookie year. He's big but not overly physical, but does everything well offensively. I've seen this guy storm in and bury game winning goals, not just fire them from the point. Good passer. Used to have a good nasty streak, but lost a bunch of swagger after a muscle tear.
I'm going to have to do some research on this guy!
:eek:
"Swagger" I think can be restored. But a player had to have some of it to begin with. Being on a winning team and enjoying success will usually bring it back pretty quick. And the right coach or mentor (Scott Steven, or Ray Bourque type) can help.
That's a pretty tough comparison.Quote:
It's an analogy that I'm tired of seeing, but it fits: he's either the next Lidstrom, or he's another Jani Niennema who I'm sure you remember.
Lidstrom is a hall of famer for sure. Not many people are going to measure up to those stadards. 1/2 of a Lidstrom is still pretty good.
As for Niimmina, yea... of course I remember him! A good friend of mine is a die hard Philly fan. Bobby Clarke (who I think is a moron) said that he'd NEVER get rid of Niimmina after his rookie year. The very next year he gets shipped out to Edmonton. Nobody would ever confuse Niimmina with Lidstrom (as you mentioned), but Niimmina was pretty good in his own right... still is I think. He played several All Star games when it was in the North America vs. the rest of the world format. Niimmina is still of enough quality to be on most teams top line defensemen combos.
Maybe Niimmina never reached his potential, but he was a pretty good defencemen.
I don't know how many scouting reports that I've read on players that "ooze" potential. Some of them have all the physical skills nessessary to be superstars in this league.Quote:
He has all the tools but is still too young to tell, like most d-men in their early twenties.
But I think there are two things that can't be measured... heart and instincts... and enither can be taught.
Both are what I think seperate underachievers to "good" players like Niimmina, from the superstars like Lidstrom.
I'd say the instincts are there, maybe not the heart. It's funny you mentioned having the right mentor--I think that has a lot to do with bringing Kimmo Timonen on board. Another high-end Finn, to keep the guy on track and take the pressure off from being the #1 dman for now. philly had a defensive core full of call-ups last year, and Pitkanen had to play way too many minutes to compensate.
I'd like for Edmonton to have Niimmina back at this point... they have ZERO in the way of offensive defensemen. And they look like they traded their only prospect who was ready for this league last year in Marc-Andre Bergeron.
But I'll wait to see what happens in free agency before hitting the panic button.
If so, then given what you have already mentioned... he'll still be a pretty good hockey player. As long as he doesn't have the heart of Alexei Yashin!Quote:
I'd say the instincts are there, maybe not the heart.
:eek:
That never hurts.Quote:
It's funny you mentioned having the right mentor--I think that has a lot to do with bringing Kimmo Timonen on board. Another high-end Finn, to keep the guy on track and take the pressure off from being the #1 dman for now.
Sounds like Edmonton and Philly had the same issue.Quote:
philly had a defensive core full of call-ups last year, and Pitkanen had to play way too many minutes to compensate.
Too few NHL calibre defensemen trying to cover for too many players who aren't ready for the bigs yet.
Wow! I sure hope that Edmonton can swing a deal for Pitkanen! Sounds like Edmonton is trying to give up Raffi Torres... and as much as I like Torres, I would be much happier with Pitkanen.
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=p...70137&tab=crst
Last year was a bad year for him... but I think that goes without saying for everyone in the Flyer organization.
What was eye popping was his 46 points in just 58 games in his sophmore season! Almost unheard of for such a young defenceman!
I would like to see some consistentcy before declaring him a superstar, but with only three seasons under his belt, you can't really ask for that.
I think his second season shows some all star potential.
He may go a long way to solving Edmonton's woes on their blueline.
Yep, he will get us a good return if traded based solely on offensive potential at his age. Most Philly area journalists are convinced he is indeed done in that town, it's like they are trying to get him run off or something.:confused:
You're right about his stats last year, too; had a beyond terrrible +/-, but imo that is not a good indicator of individual ability. He still had plenty of points.
I like Torres, but it's going to take more. Half the teams in the league will make offers and Holmgren will have the luxury of being picky. This type of player is such a hot commodity right now, that teams will have to overpay if they want to trade for a guy like Joni. Stoll would make a better centerpeice from your end than Torres.:)