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[Kenneth Toilethole]

They may contend for a playoff spot this year. It will depend if Kolzig holds up all year, but I see no reason why he wouldn't. I also like the Backstrom kid. I would like to see him shoot more, but that might be unnecessary playing with Ovechkin & Semin.

[rva]

Man, it seems like every other day there's a new controversy involving a hit.

Although I actually have to say, I think the NHL's doing a decent job. 

Downie's hit was ridiculous and everyone knows he's a headcase.  Does it really matter so much whether he left his skates a fraction of a second before the contact or a fraction of a second after?  It's not like he just fell down.  Boulerice's cross check was equally ridiculous.  They were getting slaughtered, there was no remotely hockey-related reason why he'd be skating around and suddenly raise his stick up.  You can't even argue that people should skate with their heads up or look where they're going or some other stupid shit.  If you have to skate around on your guard at all times that someone's going to viciously clothesline you with the their stick there's really no point to hockey.

The Jones hit was different.  It *looks* really bad, and yeah, it's illegal.  He should be suspended a few games but there's nothing in there that's intentionally malicious.  It was just a badly timed check.  Boulerice stopped suddenly and turned and wasn't really balanced and Jones shove caught him harder than it should have.  The potential for injury is the exact reason you can't check from behind but it's also one of those things that you know is going to happen.  People screw up.  Two games seems about right to me.

[Dan]

Does the NHL still exist? I didn't know.

Seriously?

[Kenneth Toilethole]

Does the NHL still exist? I didn't know.

Seriously?

I've never understood the the reasoning behind posts like this. And not just hockey, any topic. Do you think anyone in this thread gives a shit if you don't want to join the discussion?

Anyways, I agree with you RVA that the NHL is doing a decent job of penalizing the the unnecessary stickwork. The trouble is that it keeps happening. There is not the same enforcement at the lower levels so old habits are brought up with them. And the reason its not enforced is because Slapshot could be a documentary film in some places. I hate to say it but its a still a good way for minor league hockey teams to sell tickets.

At least at the youth levels they are really really trying to get rid of checking from behind. They even put STOP signs in the back of jerseys. So, hopefully this will translate into a decrease in it in the future.

[Butter]

For those interested, the NHL Network has recently debuted on DirecTV.  They seem to be pretty low budget so far, but hey, it's out there for those who are hockey starved for entertainment.  Hockey has fallen off the deep end lately thanks to its lack of a deal with ESPN, maybe this will help gain some media coverage and respect back for the sport.

[Dan]

Does the NHL still exist? I didn't know.

Seriously?

I've never understood the the reasoning behind posts like this. And not just hockey, any topic. Do you think anyone in this thread gives a shit if you don't want to join the discussion?

I get a kick out of making fun of the NHL. Mainly b/c it's ruined itself.
And if we really used the "do you think anyone gives a shit if you don't want to join the discussion" logic, would the message boards really exist at all?

[LanneyD]

So...does anyone want to talk about the Penguins trade for Hossa?  Foote forcing his way out of Columbus and playing the same night (after having rented a private jet earlier that day) to the Avalanche?

[Ella Minnow Pea]

All I know is that I'm glad the Canes are winning again.

[Kenneth Toilethole]

So...does anyone want to talk about the Penguins trade for Hossa?  Foote forcing his way out of Columbus and playing the same night (after having rented a private jet earlier that day) to the Avalanche?

Honestly, I'm really not that big of a fan of the Hossa trade. I'm not saying Hossa won't help but I think Pittsburgh could have made a trade to help them more long term. They traded a very good prospect away for the use of Hossa for the next couple months. There is no way they will resign him in the off-season. I think they should have concentrated on going after Rob Blake personally. A veteran D man would have been a greater help in the playoffs than Hossa. Ideally they should have looked for a playoff tested goalie (I think Conklin's success has been a fluke) but there really weren't any really good options so I can't blame them for that.

As far as the Foote trade, as a kinda BlueJacket fan I am now rooting for the Avs to make the playoffs this year, because then they get their first round pick this year instead of next. The reason this is important is because this year's pool of players is loaded. It will be a very deep draft. Everyone made comments about how the salary cap has made it difficult to make trades, but I think the deep draft is even a bigger reason there weren't many big trades this year. No one wanted to give up their first round picks because of the potential to pick up a future superstar, even late in the first round.

[LanneyD]

So...does anyone want to talk about the Penguins trade for Hossa?  Foote forcing his way out of Columbus and playing the same night (after having rented a private jet earlier that day) to the Avalanche?

Honestly, I'm really not that big of a fan of the Hossa trade. I'm not saying Hossa won't help but I think Pittsburgh could have made a trade to help them more long term. They traded a very good prospect away for the use of Hossa for the next couple months. There is no way they will resign him in the off-season. I think they should have concentrated on going after Rob Blake personally. A veteran D man would have been a greater help in the playoffs than Hossa. Ideally they should have looked for a playoff tested goalie (I think Conklin's success has been a fluke) but there really weren't any really good options so I can't blame them for that.

As far as the Foote trade, as a kinda BlueJacket fan I am now rooting for the Avs to make the playoffs this year, because then they get their first round pick this year instead of next. The reason this is important is because this year's pool of players is loaded. It will be a very deep draft. Everyone made comments about how the salary cap has made it difficult to make trades, but I think the deep draft is even a bigger reason there weren't many big trades this year. No one wanted to give up their first round picks because of the potential to pick up a future superstar, even late in the first round.

I wasn't too big of a fan of the trade either.  I like Hossa on the team (on paper) but I agree I don't know the likelyhood he'll stick around...though if he clicks with Sid et. al. he might be inclined to sign for a 2 year gig or something.  I didn't mind Christensen leaving because I thought a change of scenery would do him good, but I think Armstrong is a solid third liner they'll miss in the future.  Esposito might end up doing something, but he might just end up another Konstintin Koltsov, or Milan Kraft, or name your favorite out-of-the-NHL-Pens-former-first-round-pick.  The top pick for this year takes it over the top, even though I hope the pick is pretty late in the round.

I was talking about the Pens a few days ago, and decided I want them to give Max Talbot a 10 year, 10 million deal.  He's never going to be a high goal scorer or anything, but he's a great player for what he does.  and I think he's exactly the type of player (and attitude) this team needs. 

[Ella Minnow Pea]

The hockey gods must hate me this year. First Miami loses to BC, and now the Canes lose twice in a week to Washington, allowing them to tie for the division lead. Come on Tampa Bay and Florida - beat the Caps - but let us beat you!

[LanneyD]

The hockey gods must hate me this year. First Miami loses to BC, and now the Canes lose twice in a week to Washington, allowing them to tie for the division lead. Come on Tampa Bay and Florida - beat the Caps - but let us beat you!

The Miami game really bummed me out (also, there is nothing "comtastic" about comcast not having ESPNU.  bitches.), so I had to listen to it on the radio.

I'd kinda like to see the Caps make it to the playoffs this year.  But....the Pens won the division!  Hooray!

[Ella Minnow Pea]

Washington beat Tampa Bay tonight, so we're tied again. I think this is how it has to play out:

If Carolina can beat Florida tomorrow night, they make the playoffs - regardless of what Washington does. If we lose, and Washington loses on Saturday, the Canes are still in. If we lose, and Washington wins - the Caps are in the playoffs and we stay home.

I hate that it's literally come down to the last game of the season. Ack!

[Ella Minnow Pea]

And - unless Florida pulls off the win tomorrow - we're done.

[Kenneth Toilethole]

And - unless Florida pulls off the win tomorrow - we're done.

d'oh. sorry Ella