Yeah Hockey's back this year. I open this thread to people who wants to discuss the true National sport. So Who's got your approval for the Stanley cup this year?

BTW, Montreal sure got a great start this year. I think 1 25th cup is possible!

So many teams have a new look, so I wouldn't be surprised if some of the previously average teams made the playoffs.

What do you think about the rule changes so far? I like the shoot out idea, but right now there's far too many penalties and power plays. I just watched one period of hockey so far, but I think I only saw the power play and penalty killing players... the team's second line just never got a chance.

Maybe but the score get higher and the ''action'' is more interresting to watch too. Anyway What can we do about it the change are done.

On a side note; Can't remember who won yesterday The leaf or the Canadians... :hmm:

I like the new rules. No two pass is great. It opens everything up. I love the shootout even tought my Canucks lost to the Oilers. And I don't mind all the penalties I like watching powerplays, and players are going to just have to learn not to clutch, grab and hook.

I can see Ottowa doing really as well as Vancouver. They both have fast skilled teams. Dany Heatley fits in great in Ottowa.

Ofelix, the Habs won that game, unfortunately.

Leafs aren't having a good start to the season. Hopefully they'll get better.

Ofelix, the Habs won that game, unfortunately. Whatdya mean ''Unfortunately?'' :eek:

( ;) sorry just kidding)

:p You know exactly what I mean. You go support your hometown team, and leave me to support mine ;) . And may the best *cough*Leafs*cough* team win!

Fair enough. *cough* 24 cup go habs *cough*

Fair enough.

By the sounds of it, you Canadians need to try some of that honey & lemon linctus. Or is the cold weather really beginning to batter the ol' immune system up there? :p

I like the NHL, I always liked to keep in touch with what's going off, even though it's not on TV much here.
I never understood why it stopped being played to be honest!

Anyway, this is good. Go Mighty Ducks! (I like them, they have the coolest logo).

I've never been too much into NHL, sure as a hockey fan I follow what's going on and I think it's extremely good for the game that NHL is on again, but I've never really watched any of the games (they don't even show them anymore around here I believe). My main interest in hockey are the international games which I watch intensly allways.

Aaahhh, sweet, sweet hockey. The NHL's back and the game is much improved. Even though we are only a few games into the season, the changes are very evident. The games have a speed and a flow reminiscent of the international games: longer passes, more open space, quick transitions and SHOOTOUTS, baby! More than ever, the name of the game is offense, offense, offense.

I've watched a few games so far (much to my wife's dismay) and I like what I'm seeing. Let's hope the refs will keep calling hooking and crosschecking penalties as consistently throughout the season and will crackdown on goalie interference.

Here's my take on a few teams:

:cool: 5 teams whose chances I like--
- Ottawa Senators: A powerhouse offense, the best defense in the league and an all-star (if aging) starting goaltender with the league's best backup. Plus, that's where I live.
- Vancouver Canucks: Two great scoring lines and awesome defense. Still a question mark between the pipes.
- Tampa Bay Lightning: They're still basically the same team that won the Cup two years ago, minus a goalie. Things will be more difficult without Khabibulin in net.
- San Jose Sharks: With a lineup filled with young and hungry prospects, they will probably clinch the top spot in the relatively weak Pacific division.
- Nashville Predators: Young, talented and very, very fast team, both on offense and on defense. They have the most underrated goalie in the league in Tomas Vokoun.

:eek: 5 teams whose chances I don't like--
- Philadelphia Flyers: After they signed Forsberg, eveybody was ready to giftwrap the Cup for them. However, they have only one great scoring line and a sloooooow defense that will have a tough time with the new rules. And no proven goalie. If the injury-prone Forsberg is hurt for a long period, look out below.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: They're slow and old (in other news, the sky is blue) and two of their best players are one good hit away from being declared legally brain-dead. Belfour was already too old for the game two years ago. No Cup for the Old Folks' Home this year, once again...
- Minnesota Wild: A team who had success in the past based on its defensive capabilities and good goaltending. Not good enough in the new NHL.
- Calgary Flames: I love the Flames, god bless'em, but they will only go as far as Iginla will carry them. I don't think the new NHL will be very kind to one-trick ponies.
- Carolina Hurricanes: A largely unproven offense, a shaky defense at best and two rookie goalies. No soup for you!

The rest, including by beloved Habs, are just... there. Some have a good chance of making the playoffs (Colorado, Boston, Atlanta), while others have no chance in hell (St. Louis, Washington, Phoenix). Possible "Cinderella" teams this year include Edmonton, Chicago, Florida, Pittsburgh and, yes, Montreal. ;)

Comments welcome!

Did anyone see the score sheet in the Colorado 7-4? victory over Calgary? Who the hell are all those people who scored? Not Hejduk, not Sakic, not Tanguay...

The rest, including by beloved Habs, are just... there :aaa:

I personally don't like the new shoot-out rule. Why does every game have to end with a winner? I think it just cheapens the victory to win by shoot-out when both teams have played a spectacular game.

What is wrong with ending the game in a tie for regular season? Give each team a point apeice and a handshake and send them on their way.

Also, go Canuckleheads!

I was about to go make an NHL topic in Whatnots when I found out about this forum!

Well either way, it feels amazing to have hockey back. Thank God the Leafs won on Tuesday, I was starting to get tired of not caring that they lost cause they were crazily intense games.

Wish I could see some games (I used to stay up untill 2 am to watch a game)...
Some questions:

1- So, with the new rules, is the game improved?
2- Who are the 'Habs'?
3- What Super Mario is doing? Is coaching like Wayne?
4- No more sudden death?
5- No more fights? I mean, will be too expensive to fight, eh?
5- Why they were on strike?

I hope with my new digital cable tv I could find some games.

1- So, with the new rules, is the game improved?
2- Who are the 'Habs'?
3- What Super Mario is doing? Is coaching like Wayne?
4- No more sudden death?
5- No more fights? I mean, will be too expensive to fight, eh?
5- Why they were on strike? Lets see what I can answer.

1 - I don't know if it has been improved but there are a lot more goals now. Take last nights Toronto vs. Atlanta, Toronto won 9-1.
2 - The Montreal Canadiens, or something like Les Habitents in French
3 - I think he's still playing and owning the Pittsburgh Penguins
4 - They do 5 minutes of sudden death then a shootout
5 - Again, last night with Toronto and Atlanta there were two major brawls. So I'm not sure how it'll go
5 - They were on strike because they wanted more money, like any strike

Thanks!
They wanted more money? 20 million dollars isn't enough???

It was not the players who were on strike, it was the owners who did a lock out. They finally realized that the salaries made no more sense and that bigger markets were in effect agonizing teams who operate in smaller market. With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, there is now a salary cap and only a few players earn +/- $7MM. As such, there is a better balance and more teams can now contend.

As for the game, I think that until now, most fans are pleased with the product with the new rules in effect. I personally dislike the shoot outs but hey! Who am I to dict the rules! :D

I really think that Ottawa's power-house line-up makes them the team to beat but even pre-salary cap it seemed to me that there were always a lot of teams who could win. The salary cap has only served to even things out even more.

One thing that I did get a laugh out of is the TSN power ratings posted yesterday. They have ranked Toronto #2 behind Ottawa. The Leafs' defence just isn't good enough for that.

Let Ottawa do what they want. Once playoff time comes, and both the Sens goalie and Leafs goalies get old age pains, we have the better backup in Tellqvist. But if they ever manage to beat Toronto in the playoffs, they'll soon realize that Toronto has been the only thing between them and the Cup for years.

And I get the feeling that this thread is going to have mostly the same people accounting for the posts. :p

Did anyone know that Theo Fluery (right spelling, right?) is now playing for Belfast of all places?! What's happening!

He had a serious drinking and drug problem for the last several years. He has not played in the NHL since he was entered into their substance abuse program and it does not sound like any of the NHL teams are really wanting to give him another try.

It's probablly the best thing for Fleury to be playing in Ireland. In Canada he would still be the focus of some media and he needs to get his head on straight. Besides in Ireland, you aren't called and alcoholic, you're called Irish.

Toronto is to old and slow to have major success this year. Their defense lacks mobility and their fowards are old injury cases that other teams wouldn't risk. Belfours wonky back is as much of a question as Haseks bad groin. But the difference is the Sens didn't break the bank in signing Allison and Lindros, so if something does happen to Hasek, they can sign or trade for a decent goalie without haveing to give up very much.

Break the bank? The Leafs paid next to nothing for Lindros and Allison.

Their low pay was factoring in their history of injury and the possibility of re-injury. If they will saty healthy they are real steals for the Leafs, if they miss most of the season then the Leafs will be losing a bit on the deal, and if it is somewhere in between well that is what their pay level reflects.