Official NHL thread?

[r'aggro]

The winter classic was pretty cool, and I like the idea of it.

What was a *really* intense game was USA vs Canada in the world juniors tournament a couple of days ago. The first period was just furious with skill and aggression, and none of the players are even 20 years old yet! It was a sick game. No fighting of course but some dirty stuff going on from both sides cos they hate each other. Canada basically won 5-4 and added a pair of empty netters at the end.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

What was a *really* intense game was USA vs Canada in the world juniors tournament a couple of days ago. The first period was just furious with skill and aggression, and none of the players are even 20 years old yet! It was a sick game. No fighting of course but some dirty stuff going on from both sides cos they hate each other. Canada basically won 5-4 and added a pair of empty netters at the end.

Oh yes... the World Juniors is some of the best hockey in the world.

It's the "who's who" of who will be stars in the NHL very quickly. It's a huge showcase for those players to show NHL scouts what they're made out of. Careers are sometimes made or broken depending on what a player does or doesn't do there.

And it was a great game!

(with the right team winning)

There was some BS I saw there with the Canadian team celebrating their goal when they skated past the US bench and the US player on the bench sticking out his stick into the Canadian players face! I'd never seen that before...

The BEST junior game, and ensuing all out bench clearing brawl that I ever saw was this game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ydbATVriqA

A "who's who" of mega stars that went on to play in the NHL. Both teams were ejected from the tournament and it probably cost the Canadians a gold medal.

[r'aggro]

Oh yes... the World Juniors is some of the best hockey in the world.

It's the "who's who" of who will be stars in the NHL very quickly. It's a huge showcase for those players to show NHL scouts what they're made out of. Careers are sometimes made or broken depending on what a player does or doesn't do there.

Yeah, like the US goalie. He was projected to be the weak link in the team and certainly didn't prove anyone wrong. The guy let in like three softies today and the US got bounced by Slovakia as a result.
I bet the Wings are regretting wasting a draft pick on him last year.

That was Tangredi you're talking about, a Ducks prospect. I like the kid's game but if the stick-poke from the bench was intentional then it was a pretty dumb move. The next thing that happened was Canada's goon shoving van Riemsdyke face-first into the open gate. Both should have been kicked out of the game if you ask me.

[dyne]

The slovaks goalie is the goalie of my local OHL club (Erie Otters). Kind of neat.

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Yeah, I was surprised to hear that Janus wasn't drafted previously. I bet someone's going to draft him this year, though. He was excellent yesterday.

[Recon]

The slovaks goalie is the goalie of my local OHL club (Erie Otters). Kind of neat.

I have a Slovakian Olympic Jersey I traded the guy a Scott Mitchell Lions Jersey for it when I was in Croatia.....hah only a Slovak would take a Scott mitchell jersey =)

[Recon]

Pavel Datsyuk's break away goal was freaking sick btw.....

[Spank_Me_Hard]

Pavel Datsyuk's break away goal was freaking sick btw.....

Yea... he made that goalie look foolish.

Canada's game vs. Russia was AMAZING! Jordan Eberle is a SNIPA and I'm glad that the Oilers drafted him last year. He's playing with Tavares.

Did anybody see Semin from the Caps get into that fight and hissy slap that guy? OMG... I was SO embarrased for Semin. That is just pure hockey awfulness.

And Crosby was sure mad at the Panthers player... rag dolled him pretty badly off the faceoff. Never seen Crosby that angry before.

And then the fight wheree the dude got knocked out yesterday... WOW! Took a good shot right on the chin.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

Was overjoyed that the Oil got O'Sullivan...

Then I saw who they gave up for him...

I've always liked Cole. Thought that he was one of the more underrated players in the game.

For some reason, he didn't produce in Edmonton. I wonder if it's because there are just too many good forwards in Edmonton (though you'd never know it by their scoring). Every game that I have managed to see (actually, quite a few) I always thought that Cole had good chances and was a threat every night. Just couldn't always pull the trigger. The guy has scored 30 before... and I always thought that he had potential for more.

I like Cole, but O'Sullivan is young and has a great future ahead of him! Had to call my Kings buddy and give him the bugz over the trade. He was in Denial... LOL!

[r'aggro]

Sully is a great pickup, I know kings fans aren't stoked about losing him. EDM has to be one of the youngest teams in the league now. Stings to lose Eric Cole but I knew he'd end up back in Carolina somehow.

You can't be happy about all the improvements Calgary made at the deadline. They tooled up better than anyone and were already a tough team with a top-notch goalie. All they gave up was Lombardi +, are you kidding me? They might not be on SJ's level but they are a force to be reckoned with for sure.

Aside from them, this years trade deadline was a bit of a yawner. Really thought Pronger and Bouwmeester would be on the move but nothing panned out. I know Philly was going hard at J-bo but apparently Florida wanted too much considering he'd just be a rental. I'm going to love watching Carcillo terrorize and antagonize, but hated to see Upshall leave my team. The guy loved being a Flyer so much, even broke down during an interview afterward.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

Sully is a great pickup, I know kings fans aren't stoked about losing him. EDM has to be one of the youngest teams in the league now. Stings to lose Eric Cole but I knew he'd end up back in Carolina somehow.

You can't be happy about all the improvements Calgary made at the deadline. They tooled up better than anyone and were already a tough team with a top-notch goalie. All they gave up was Lombardi +, are you kidding me? They might not be on SJ's level but they are a force to be reckoned with for sure.

The Oil did pretty good I thought but Calgary definitely did better.

Jokkinen isn't that far away from being a pure sniper. He wasn't too far away from being just that on a crappy Florida team for a few years. With some talent around him, I unfortunately expect the guy to blossom into a bona fide star. And Calgary gave up next to nothing to get him. What was Phoenix thinking?!?

And Leopold is no slouch either.

Was absolutely stoked about the Oil's pickup... but you are right... was not happy about what Calgary got.

I know Philly was going hard at J-bo but apparently Florida wanted too much considering he'd just be a rental.

I heard the asking price was WAY too much... a bona fide star, a top prospect, and a 1st round draft pick.

So teams slept on that.

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Pretty much. Philly was willing to part with Lupul, Carle and a first, but from what I heard Florida was adamant about James vanRiemsdyk being part of the deal. If Bouwmeester were signed long term I'd totally do it; you trade an A+ prospect for a proven franchise defenseman every time in my book. And Lupul has been his usual streaky self this year. But since JBo is a pending ufa and could walk after the playoffs I'm glad the trigger wasn't pulled.

Too damn steep.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

I LOLed.

Hitler reacts to MacTavish:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss1JTK7JUts

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That was friggin awesome.

But I disagree with the russians > canadians bit.

EDM just needs better canadians, like Philly's.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

That was friggin awesome.

But I disagree with the russians > canadians bit.

EDM just needs better canadians, like Philly's.

Seriously.

I especially LOLed when Hitler reached for his glasses with his hand trembling and his tirade on Gagner's penalty killing...