Post #98,174
4/23/03 10:30:19 AM
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Blues Suck
Particularly the biggest deadbeat of all hockey history, Keith Tkachuk (eastern hockey grumble). Once again he folded like a tutu-wearing nancy boy when the chips were down. I was stoked when we got him, and when he's not dragging his sorry ass, he's a force in front of the net - but last night, he couldn't make the simplest pass, got his ass creamed over and over, and generally dogged it the whole game.
Big changes in the off season. Fans here are getting PISSED.
-drl
Light is heavy:
R{} = (2R/W)T - (1/2W){D-2,D-2}W
Heavy is light:
(D-3)(RF[] + 5/4 g) = 0
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Post #98,207
4/23/03 11:28:11 AM
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No, Nolan takes top honors for deadbeat.
Was he even at the Leafs games? Oh yeah, he was the one passing to the Flyers.
bcnu,
Mikem
The soul and substance of what customarily ranks as patriotism is moral cowardice and always has been...We have thrown away the most valuable asset we had-- the individual's right to oppose both flag and country when he (just he, by himself) believed them to be in the wrong. We have thrown it away; and with it all that was really respectable about that grotesque and laughable word, Patriotism.
- Mark Twain, "Monarchical and Republican Patriotism"
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Post #98,213
4/23/03 11:47:57 AM
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Well he was injured
No excuse, even he admits, but it sounds like skating at full tempo is difficult with a hip flexor. Reading in the papers today it looks like Hoglund is finally gone. He'll be declined an offer and will become an unrestricted free agent. Housley is probably toast. Wesley may be signed. Nolan should be back to his old form next season. The big question is Belfour. Does he have another season and playoff in him?
lister
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Post #98,216
4/23/03 11:53:31 AM
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I think he does.
I wouldn't have thought so at the beginning of the year, but Belfour really showed me something during this last series. I don't think I've ever seen him play better than he did in game 6. I had several friends call me (because they knew I'd be in hell) after it was announced that Belfour was going to Toronto. But even I became a Belfour fan this year. I guess it has something to do with the sweater he wore this year. :-)
I hope he's back and I think he will be. Can you think of anyone available that you'd rather have in net next year? I can't.
What we seriously need is another defenseman (or two) of Kaberle's quality, only bigger.
bcnu,
Mikem
The soul and substance of what customarily ranks as patriotism is moral cowardice and always has been...We have thrown away the most valuable asset we had-- the individual's right to oppose both flag and country when he (just he, by himself) believed them to be in the wrong. We have thrown it away; and with it all that was really respectable about that grotesque and laughable word, Patriotism.
- Mark Twain, "Monarchical and Republican Patriotism"
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Post #98,218
4/23/03 12:05:07 PM
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Belfour was signed to a multiyear contract
So unless a trade is done, he'll be playing. I have my doubts that Telquist down on the farm is ready yet. The Leafs do have a former number one goalie in Trevor Kidd... I still can't say I'm a fan of Belfour's. All those old Norris division matchups with Chicago has tainted that. I do give him credit for his good behaviour and keeping the wild stuff out of his play.
Also in today's paper was the mention of Darrian Hatcher becoming a free agent this summer. There's some size. :-)
lister
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Post #98,222
4/23/03 12:20:56 PM
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Oh No! Not Hatcher.
If that happens, I have a new round of telephone calls to handle. <very big sigh>
bcnu,
Mikem
The soul and substance of what customarily ranks as patriotism is moral cowardice and always has been...We have thrown away the most valuable asset we had-- the individual's right to oppose both flag and country when he (just he, by himself) believed them to be in the wrong. We have thrown it away; and with it all that was really respectable about that grotesque and laughable word, Patriotism.
- Mark Twain, "Monarchical and Republican Patriotism"
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Post #98,235
4/23/03 12:56:17 PM
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We'd Take Him
I hate him - when he's pummeling us :)
-drl
Light is heavy:
R{} = (2R/W)T - (1/2W){D-2,D-2}W
Heavy is light:
(D-3)(RF[] + 5/4 g) = 0
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Post #98,293
4/23/03 3:07:07 PM
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I hate him, too.
I'll admit I'm a pussy. I like "Bambi hockey" (your phrase). It's just so much more enjoyable to watch excellent skating, passing and shooting than it is to watch to find out who can hit whom hard enough to put them in the hospital.
You know, the kind of play played by what Scottie Bowman called "skill players".
Hatcher ain't one of those. But, when the playoffs start, you need more of those than skill players usually.
bcnu,
Mikem
The soul and substance of what customarily ranks as patriotism is moral cowardice and always has been...We have thrown away the most valuable asset we had-- the individual's right to oppose both flag and country when he (just he, by himself) believed them to be in the wrong. We have thrown it away; and with it all that was really respectable about that grotesque and laughable word, Patriotism.
- Mark Twain, "Monarchical and Republican Patriotism"
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Post #98,327
4/23/03 3:56:49 PM
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I like the combination of the two
It is though the trickiest to pull off. You need your skilled players, you need your grinders and you need your combination of the two, players like Shanahan or Nolan for instance. The Leafs actually have that good combination I think. They need a proper number one and two defencemen and to shut their whinny yaps about the ridiculous penalties they take. The team has had flashes of brilliance over the past few years. It's a shame they have never really managed to keep that up.
Nasty, grind it out defensive hockey and nancy-boy all-skill hockey is boring. Good examples are watching Minnesota play Jersey and the All-Star game. Bleah!
lister
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Post #98,394
4/23/03 7:36:48 PM
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I miss the old russian army team
combine them with a couple of skull crushers like Chad Ritchards (curse of the west coast hockey league) and you have a great game.
thanx,
bill
will work for cash and other incentives [link|http://home.tampabay.rr.com/boxley/resume/Resume.html|skill set]
questions, help? [link|mailto:pappas@catholic.org|email pappas at catholic.org]
Carpe Dieu
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Post #98,502
4/24/03 10:54:32 AM
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You mean the Wings team of several years ago?
My Dad is fond of getting his Russian friends going on that. Here's typical:
Dad: "Who has the best Russian hockey team?"
Russian Friend: "Magnitogorsk Metallurg."
Dad: "Nyet."
Russian Friend: "Moscow Dinamo?"
Dad: "Nyet."
Russian Friend: "Okay, smart guy, who?"
Dad: "Detroit Red Wings."
bcnu,
Mikem
The soul and substance of what customarily ranks as patriotism is moral cowardice and always has been...We have thrown away the most valuable asset we had-- the individual's right to oppose both flag and country when he (just he, by himself) believed them to be in the wrong. We have thrown it away; and with it all that was really respectable about that grotesque and laughable word, Patriotism.
- Mark Twain, "Monarchical and Republican Patriotism"
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Post #98,211
4/23/03 11:42:55 AM
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Leafs too
It would have been interesting to see how the series would have went if the lineup was a healthy one. The offseason is going to be interesting with the ownership change, Pat Quinn likely losing at least one of his duties if not both, and some players not coming back.
I watched most of the Blues/Canucks game and at least it was a closer game than the Leafs/Flyers one. Though you bare your own disgrace of losing the series when the Blues were leading 3-1. One stinking game to win. Two paths for the Blues to go: either follow the Wings model and get a solid upfront group of players to compensate for Osgood or go out and get a money goaltender.
At least the dream is still alive for an all-Canadian final. That is provided Ottawa shows some balls against Philly and Cloutier puts on a good to terrific show the rest of the way. Ah well. No more hockey except on Saturday nights until the finals.
lister
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Post #98,219
4/23/03 12:06:57 PM
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Re: Leafs too
It really bums me - getting to even the third round is just a mountain of fun over weeks. To choke is the first round with a 3-1 lead - it's just horrible. Ugh. Blues had NEVER lost a series with a 3-1 lead.
I'm thinking - Pronger gone for a real money tender. Tkachuk gone for some sure-handed defensive help. I don't know what happened to Pronger - yes his wrist is a problem, but even before that he had started to think his shit didn't stink. MacInnis made a heroic effort but actually precipitated the debacle with an ugly turnover on the back line.
The Blue have a lot of youngish talent - Bogunickei, Cajanek, Demitra, Bure. They need to emphasize speed and puck control. The Bambi approach, which was all passing, produced a lot of wins and was fun to watch, but failed. The Bluto approach, crashing the net, isn't working either. The best model is Detroit's - quality in net, tight puck control, good backchecking, good to average offense distributed over at least two lines. Hockey sucks when you're team can't win a faceoff or make a good pass.
I guess I'm with the Minnesota and Ottawa now.
-drl
Light is heavy:
R{} = (2R/W)T - (1/2W){D-2,D-2}W
Heavy is light:
(D-3)(RF[] + 5/4 g) = 0
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Post #98,225
4/23/03 12:23:44 PM
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I feel your pain. (Pot/Kettle warning)
But aren't you supposed to pull for the team that beat you?
(No, there is no way on earth I want Philadelphia to score another goal, let alone win a game).
bcnu,
Mikem
The soul and substance of what customarily ranks as patriotism is moral cowardice and always has been...We have thrown away the most valuable asset we had-- the individual's right to oppose both flag and country when he (just he, by himself) believed them to be in the wrong. We have thrown it away; and with it all that was really respectable about that grotesque and laughable word, Patriotism.
- Mark Twain, "Monarchical and Republican Patriotism"
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Post #98,232
4/23/03 12:54:25 PM
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C'mon...you're gonna pull for Ottowa???
Sounds like the broad street bullies have got you down.
I would'nt worry too much about Philly. They're probably gonna choke anyway. Its a Philadelphia sports tradition :-)
If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. Fudd's First Law of Opposition
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #98,243
4/23/03 1:10:44 PM
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You've got Chokemanic :-)
I couldn't stand to watch someone like him (and Hasek) play for a whole season. What an awful ackward style and damn frustrating when stupid goals happen.
So it's only a matter of time before Philly succumbs somewhere along the line. I bet the Flyers are pretty beat up like the Leafs at this point anyways. Ottawa has been sitting on their asses resting up for a week. As I said already, assuming they show some balls the Flyers should lose.
lister
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Post #98,247
4/23/03 1:14:46 PM
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I know...
...its ugly watching him. He makes some incredible saves though. You are right, he lets alot of soft goals in.
If he stands on his head like he did against TO and Philly doesn't go into another goal slump they have a chance. Slim, but there.
Let's put it this way. I'm not counting on any parades this year.
If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. Fudd's First Law of Opposition
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #98,240
4/23/03 1:06:16 PM
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No, I don't
I suppose the logic is that you lost to the Stanley Cup winner to make yourself feel better. Whoopee! At this point, at least up here, most hockey fans would put aside their hate for another Canadian team and want them to win instead of yet another American team.
I really can't stand Ottawa, the team and many of their fans. But I'd rather have them win than Philly, Jersey, Minnesota, Tampa or Dallas. Given the choice between Vancouver and Ottawa, it'll be Vancouver for exactly those things I said about Ottawa. The lesser of two evils.
lister
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Post #98,250
4/23/03 1:19:41 PM
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I like dallas because its the old farts team
seasoned vets going one more (maybe last) chance at the cup.
thanx,
bill
will work for cash and other incentives [link|http://home.tampabay.rr.com/boxley/resume/Resume.html|skill set]
questions, help? [link|mailto:pappas@catholic.org|email pappas at catholic.org]
Carpe Dieu
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Post #98,238
4/23/03 1:01:50 PM
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What do you build for?
The regular season or the playoffs? They are two different seasons and style of play. The Senators of the past few years have been the classic case of a team built for the regular season and failing in the playoffs. The wide-open offensive style largely goes away in the playoffs. So you build for the playoffs and have a mediocre regular season, not getting a high playoff seeding and thus having to battle your way through several hellish rounds to get to the finals. Or even go with a defensive system throughout the regular season and playoffs and have incredibly boring games for the fans to watch.
Detroit's model works best if you have the money to do it and the players are available to acquire and retain. The only year Detroit had quality in net was with Hasek (yuck!) They got by with Osgood because of the players in front of him and the system of play Bowman used which the players bought into.
I don't think we'll see drastic changes for next year with the labour showdown that is going to happen. Why balloon out your payroll if the season is cut short or you're ultimately punished for it (salary cap) once things are settled?
lister
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