With a new season upon us, finagodamnlly (Subi says – I have no idea what this means, but De Lorimier claims it was late when he wrote that, and claims that he was not drunk. ;)), here's a rundown of the thirty teams and their more valuable assets. I would like to get some feedback, even if it's only about your team. ;)

Anaheim Ducks
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/ana38.gif

Departures: D Vitali Vishnevski (Atl), RW Joffrey Lupul (Edm), D Ladislav Smid (Edm)
Arrivals: D Chris Pronger (Edm), C Travis Green (Bos), D Ian Moran (Pit)

Last season's semi-finalist are a very good team, one of the best in the league. Anaheim is now on top in the West and favorite to go to the final. The addition of Chris Pronger and the presence of arguably the best d-man in the league in Scott Niedermayer gives the Ducks the best pair on defense I've ever seen. Lupul will be a great player, but you have to give a lot to get a lot. Add Beauchemin and O'Donnel and you have one great squad on the blue line.

On offense I think we'll see the continuity in the resurgence of Teemu Selanne as an elite productive player. Surrounded by the speedy Andy McDonald who had a breakout season last year and a busload of young talented forwards (Perry, Getzlaf, Chistov, Penner, Kunitz), the former Calder winner will lead a very offensive team.

Depth players like Todd Marchant, newly acquired Travis Green, Sammy Pahlsson, Rob Niedermayer, Todd Fedoruk complete a pretty great lineup:

Depth Chart:

Chris Kunitz – Andy McDonald – Teemu Selanne
Rob Niedermayer – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Dustin Penner – Todd Marchant – Stanislav Chistov
Travis Moen – Smauel Pahlsson – Todd Fedoruk

Scott Niedermayer – Chris Pronger
Francois Beauchemin – Joe DiPenta
Sean O’Donnell – Ian Moran

Jean-Sebastian Giguere
Ilya Bryzgalov


Atlanta Trashers
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/atl38.gif

Departures: C Marc Savard (Bos), D Jaroslav Modry (Dal), C Patrik Stefan (Dal)
Arrivals: C Steve Rucchin (NYR), C Niko Kapanen (Dal), D Vitali Vishnevski (Ana)

Offense offense offense. That's what the trashers are and that's what they have to rely upon to have any success. With superstars like Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa you know the opposing net will be filled with pucks. Marc Savard's departure for a big payckeck in Boston left a hole that Don Waddel filled with the signing of Steve Rucchin who's hoping to bounce back from a bad season in Manhattan. Bobby Holik, still milking that indecent contract he was awarded with a while back, will have to contribute more offensively. Add Slava Kozlov and you have their top five forwards. I read in the lastest edition of THN that Alex Bourret (very good prospect from the Q) could end up playing with Kovalchuk's right wing. Apparently the Trashers would like to have Hossa and Kovalchuk on two deifferent lines to spread out the offense. If Bourret has a good camp, why not?

The addition of Vitaly Vishnevski from Anaheim is an important upgrade on a rather ordinary defensive squad. At least Atlanta has some good young d-man (Exelby, Coburn, Valabik) so the future looks better.

The Trashers will be fighting for a playoff spot in the East if Lethonen stays healthy and its big score actually deliver the merchandise.

Depth Chart:

Ilya Kovalchuk – Bobby Holik – Marian Hossa
Vyacheslav Kozlov – Steve Rucchin – Scott Mellanby
J.P. Vigier – Jim Slater – Jon Sim
Serge Aubin – Niko Kapanen – Brad Larsen

Andy Sutton – Greg de Vries
Niclas Havelid – Steve McCarthy
Vitali Vishnevski – Garnet Exelby

Kari Lethonen
Johan Hedberg

Boston Bruins
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/bos38.gif

Departures: C Travis Green (Ana), D Nick Boynton (Phx), D David Tanabe (Car), G Andrew Raycroft (Tor)
Arrivals: D Zdeno Chara (Ott), C Marc Savard (Atl), D Paul Mara (Phx), RW Shean Donovan (Cal)

The B'S are hoping to bounce back from missing the playoffs after trading away the league MVP and Art Ross winner to SJ. Marco Sturm is no Joe Thornton, but his line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Boyes was great at the end of last season and should remain together for the start of the next one. Recently drafter and signed forward Phil Kessel will be given all the chances to succeed with the big club. He is likely to be transfered from center to the wing to play alongside Marc Savard and Glenn Murray on the Bruins second line. Those six guys make for a very offense. The supporting cast in Boston is impressive: P.J. Axelsson, Wayne Primeau, Shean Donovan, Yan Statsny, rookie Martins Karsums.

Adding Zdeno Chara to your defense means the world for every team. Paul Mara, acquired from Pheonix in exchange of Nick Boynton, is another great addition to the club. Brad Stuart is becoming quite the d-man too. That big-three gives Boston a great offensive punch on the blue line without being defensive liabilities.

Tim Thomas is no.1, but Toivonen and Tuuka Rask are the future of Boston between the pipes.

Depth Chart:

Marco Sturm – Patrice Bergeron – Brad Boyes
Phil Kessel – Marc Savard – Glen Murray
P.J. Axelsson – Wayne Primeau – Shean Donovan
Jeff Hoggan – Mark Mowers – Yan Stastny

Brad Stuart – Zdeno Chara
Paul Mara – Milan Jurcina
Mark Stuart – Andrew Alberta

Hannu Toivonen
Tim Thomas

Buffalo Sabres
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/buf38.gif

Departures: W J.P. Dumont (Nash), RW Mike Grier (SJ), D Taylor Pyatt (Van), D Jay McKee (Stl)
Arrivals: D Jaroslav Spacek (Edm)

The new CBA has helped a lot of smaller markets and will do so in the long run, but for now, Buffalo are more damaged than helped by money problems. After years of playing second fiddle to bigger markets, Sabres fans finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel, but were stoppped at the toll booth on the other side. McKee's departurefor St-Louis and the arbirtration process were hard on Sabres' GM Darcy Regier's quest to bring back a contender team. Brière was awarded five millions a year, but Regier was smart enough to keep him anyway. With 58 in 48 games and 19 in 18 playoffs games, the speedy froward has shown his value. Dumont, who was awarded 2.9 in arbritation was let go and signed in Nashville. With Kalinin and Ryan Miller receiving significant raise, the salary cap has been more troubles than help for the Buffalo franchise. Still, with Brière, Afinogenov, Kotalik, Hecht, Roy, Pominville, Connoly, Vanek and Drury playing up front, their attack is still pretty solid. And Drew Stafford and/or Marek Zagrapan could make the team providing it with more great young players.

Numminen is general on defense, wich is not that bad. Teppo's best years are behind him, but he brings experience. Brian Campbell has broke out last year and the "new" NHL fits him perfectly. Spacek is an ok d-man, nothing spectacular. Buffalo needs defense. It showed in the playoffs and it will show again this year if they don't make a move.

Biron hasn't been traded yet. the market is not very good for goaltenders it seems. Aebischer, Giguère and him are all legitimate starting goalie. Ryan Miller will sign a juicy contract and lead Buffalo for years to come.


Depth Chart:

Maxim Afinogenov – Daniel Briere – Ales Kotalik
Derek Roy – Chris Drury – Jason Pominville
Jochen Hecht – Paul Gaustad – Thomas Vanek
Andrew Peters – Jiri Novotny – Adam Mair

Toni Lydman – Henrik Tallinder
Jaroslav Spacek – Dmitri Kalinin
Brian Campbell – Teppo Numminen

Ryan Miller
Martin Biron

Calgary Flames
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/cal38.gif

Departures: D Jordan Leopold (Col), LW Chris Simon (NYI), LW Mike Leclerc (UFA)
Arrivals: LW Alex Tanguay (Col), G Jamie McLennan (Flo), D Andrei Zyuzin (Min), LW Jeff Friesen (Ana), C Andrei Taratukhin (Russia)

The arrival of Alex Tanguay will finally provide Jarome Iginla with a great playmaker. Together those two will be a force to reckon with in the North-West. Too bad the Flames are pretty weak at the center position. Daymond Langkow would be an excellent second center, but as a first one, he's weak. Lundmark is their second center. There was hope that Mathew Lombardi would have developed in a potential top two center, but last season didn't show a lot of improvement. At least the Flames have a great third center in Stéphane Yelle. The rest of Calgary's offense is not that great. Huselius, Friesen Amonte, Kobasew, McCarty and Nilson form a nice core, but this team's performance is surprising with such an ordinary lineup.

Losing Leopold on the d was costly, but Tanguay is totally worth it. Calgary's defensive squad will survive his departure. Dion Phaneuf leads the group. What a monster! :eek: 20-29 in 82 games with 93 minutes in the box. AWESOME PLAYER! :thumbsup:
Regher, Hamrlik, Warrener, Zyuzin and Ference complete one the of the league's best group on the blue line.

Having the hottest goalie in the world also helps. ;)

Depth Chart:

Alex Tanguay – Daymond Langkow – Jarome Iginla
Kristian Huselius – Jamie Lundmark – Tony Amonte
Marcus Nilson – Stephane Yelle – Darren McCarty
Jeff Friesen – Matthew Lombardi – Chuck Kobasew

Dion Phaneuf – Robyn Regehr
Roman Hamrlik – Andrew Ference
Andrei Zyuzin – Rhett Warrener

Miikka Kiprusoff
Jamie McLennan

Carolina Hurricanes
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/car38.gif

Departures: LW Mark Recchi (Pit), LW Doug Weight (Stl), C Josef Vasicek (Nash), G Martin Gerber (Ott), D Oleg Tverdovsky (LA)
Arrivals: RW Scott Walker (Nash), G John Grahame (TB), RW Trevor Letowski (Clb), LW Brad Isbister (Bos), D David Tanabe (Bos), C Eric Belanger (LA), D Tim Gleason (LA),

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2006 Stanley Cup Champions!!! The Carolina Hurricanes!!!
Admit it, you didn't think you'd be reading this anytime soon. ;)

No huge roster moves for the champions. Yes, star veterans Weight and Reechi are gone, but they were pieces of the puzzle added during the season. The Canes could just do it again this season it they feel they have another chance at contention. With Staal and Brind'Amour down the middle, the Canes are next to little. Corey Stillman's injury could mean the emergence of Andrew Ladd on Carolina's first or second line. Cole looked back to his old self when he played the last two games of the playoffs and we can expect a lot from him this year playing with Eric Staal. The Canes are a championship team and their offense has it all: offense, checking, speed, grit.

Their defensive is not flashy but it got the job jone. Glenn Wesley is back for another year and will join the same guys as last year, not moves there. With Kaberle out for six months, Carolina tried to sign Jack Johnson for the third time and were once again told that he'd prefer to stay in college. I haven't read anywhere that Johnson values his diploma that much, so I wonder what's stopping him. Either way, Carolina has a great great prospect/trade bait in their hands.

Cam Ward will be given the no.1 role this year. Having John Grahame as your backup doesn't add a lot of pression ( ;) ), but he looked very solid during the playoffs. he looked like the real deal, not Jim Carey.

Depth Chart:

Erik Cole – Eric Staal – Justin Williams
Andrew Ladd – Rod Brind’Amour – Ray Whitney
Trevor Letowski – Kevyn Adams – Scott Walker
Brad Isbister – Chad Larose – Craig Adams

Bret Hedican – Mike Commodore
Glen Wesley – Frantisek Kaberle
Niclas Wallin – David Tanabe

Cam Ward
John Grahame

Chicago Blackhawks
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/chi38.gif

Departures: LW Eric Daze (UFA), LW Kyle Calder (Phi), LW Mark Bell (SJ), C Matthew Barnaby (Dal), D Michal Barinka (Ott)
Arrivals: RW Martin Havlat (Ott), C Bryan Smolinski (Ott), G Patrick Lalime (Stl), C Michael Handzus (Phi)

Another disaster year for Mr.Wirtz's team. After trading away their highly praised ABC players (Arnason, Bell, Calder), the Hawks are still in deep trouble. Landing Havlat is a great move, but one player alone doesn't save an entire team. Let's hope for a healthy Ruutu to play with Havlat so their games have at least one thing worth watching. Other than that, it's pretty grim. At least they got a great prospect in Jonathan Toews in this year's draft.

The defensive has a little bit more to show for. The emergence of prospect Brent Seabrook as their no.1 d-man last season was a ray of sunshine in a cloudy year. Duncan Keith has also arrived and Cam Barker should crack that squad this year giving the Hawks some sort of big-3 on defense. Aucoin is looking to bounce back from a horrible injury plague season. He can do it.

Another player looking to bounce back after a bad year is the Bulin Wall himself. With an awesome goaltender like Lalime breathing down his neck and the possibility of having this owner bench someone with such a hefty contract, we can see that the pression is on! :D ;)

Depth Chart:

Martin Havlat – Michal Handzus – Radim Vrbata
Rene Bourque – Patrick Sharp – Tuomo Ruutu
Bryan Smolinski – Denis Arkhipov – Martin Lapointe
Tony Salmelainen – Michael Holmqvist – Brandon Bochenski

Adrian Aucoin – Brent Seabrook
Jim Vandermeer – Duncan Keith
Jassen Cullimore – Dustin Byfuglien

Nikolai Khabibulin
Sebastian Caron
Patrick Lalime


Colorado Avalanche
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/col38.gif

Departures: LW Alex Tanguay (Col), D Rob Blake (LA),
Arrivals: D Jordan Leopold (Cal), C Tyler Arnason (Ott), D Ken Klee (NJ)

Now there's a franchise where money has played a big deceiving role in recent years! After Foote and Forsberg, the Avalanche saw Rob Blake leave town for a better pay check. Sending Tanguay to Alberta wasn't only about money, but it also played a role in that trade. At least Jordan Leopold is a great yound d-man. Don't judge him on his last season, he can and will do better than that.

Still, Colorado's offense is talented and will produce. Sakic is there to help Hejduk bounce back from last year. i realize I write this about a lot of players, but I really really think that Hejduk will go back to his old self this season. I expect 40 to 50 goals from him. Marek Svatos just signed a one year deal and will try to prove that he wasn't a fluke and is not a one-dimensional player. Those three forwards will be surrounded with RFA Tyker Arnason who could still breakout (though it is less and less likely), Brunette, Konowalchuk, Lappy and more blue-collar players. Wojtek Wolski played very well in the playoffs and is a possible starter this season. The place is there for him to take.

Leopold is not Blake, but will replace him anyway. Things could be worse. John-Michael Liles is now he main offensive d-man in town and is able to play that role. The rest of Colorado's d is not spectacular but does a good job.

Theodore should have a better season (kind of hard to have worse), but the Avalanche are not ressource-less between the pipes with Peter Budaj. If Theo is finished (wich I doubt he is), they'll have someone to go to.

Depth Chart:

Wojtek Wolski – Joe Sakic – Milan Hejduk
Andrew Brunette – Tyler Arnason – Marek Svatos
Brad May – Ian Laperriere – Antti Laaksonen
Matt Murley – Brett McLean – Brad Richardson

Jordan Leopold – John-Michael Liles
Karlis Skrastins – Brett Clark
Ossi Vaananen – Patrice Brisebois

Jose Theodore
Peter Budaj


Colombus Blue Jackets
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/clb38.gif

Departures: G Marc Denis (TB), LW Trevor Letowski (Car), D Andy Delmore (TB), C Alexander Svitov (Russia), D Tomas Kloucek (Atl)
Arrivals: LW Frederik Modin (TB), G Ty Conklin (Edm), C Anson Carter (Van)

Any team with Rick Nash and Nikolai Zherdev + Gilbert Brule and Derick Brassard in the system has a bright future ahead of it. This season should be different though. For starter, signing Zherdev would be a plus. ;) If he does sign then the BJs (!) have a very good top six forward in Nash, Zherdev, Modin, Vyborny, Fedorov and Brule. Yes I do include Brule. After a tough last season (crushed larynx, broken leg), Brule seems more than ready for a step forward. For now it looks like that next step is playing with none other than Rick sixty-goals-potential Nash. Brassard is not NHL-ready yet, but when he is the Jackets will have two very good centers to play with their star wingers.

Their defense is potable at best. Adam Foote and Bryan Berard lead the group folowwed by Jackets veteran Klesla. Ron Hainsey, who became famous in Montréal for being a lazy big-headed prick , is still developing in Colombus and looks like he's ready to fulfill his potential. N.5 and 6 and up for grabs in my book.

Depth Chart:

Rick Nash – Sergei Fedorov – Nikolai Zherdev
Frederik Modin – Gilbert Brule – Anson Carter
Jaroslav Balastik – Manny Malhotra – David Vyborny
Alexandre Picard – Alexander Svitov – Jason Chimera

Adam Foote – Rostislav Klesla
Ron Hainsey – Duvie Westcott
Radoslav Suchy – Bryan Berard

Pascal Leclaire
Fredrik Norrena

Dallas Stars
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/dal38.gif

Departures: C Jason Arnott (Nash), RW Bill Guerin (Stl), C Niko Kapanen (Atl), D Janne Niinimaa (Mtl)
Arrivals: D Darryl Sydor (TB), D Jaroslav Modry (Atl), C Patrik Stefan (Atl), RW Matthew Barnaby (Chi), C Eric Lindros (Tor), C Jeff Halpern (Wash), C Mike Ribeiro (Mtl)

Lots or rosters changess in Texas this off-season. Guerin and Arnott are tough to lose and the new arrivals are not exactly same caliber players. Luckily for Dallas, Modano had a decent season (77 pts) last year, Morrow has arrived (65 pts, 183 minutes), Lethinen stayed (33 goals) and the finish youngsters Jokinen and Miettinen are ready to step up. Mr.Commotion aka Lindros will get a chance to be a top-six forward at the start of the season. Could be interesting if he stays healthy. barnaby and Halpern are good depth signings. So is bringing back Darryl Sydor from Tampa.

Speaking of Sydor, his arrival and Modry's arrival give the Stars a decent top four on the d (+Zubov, Boucher). Add Daley, Robidas,, Klemm and you have a decent bunch of guys.

Turco remains as the leader in net for Dallas despite his bad playoffs performance, again. I don't see him as bad as Osgood for this (great in the regular season, sucks when it counts), but Turco needs a good playoff run or at least great performance in early defeat to establish himself as a great no.1, wich he's not that far from being. Prospects Dan Ellis and Mike Smith will compete for the backup role.

Depth Chart:

Brendan Morrow – Mike Modano – Jere Lehtinen
Jussi Jokinen – Eric Lindros – Stu Barnes
Antti Miettinen – Jeff Halpern – Patrik Stefan
Niklas Hagman – Steve Ott – Matthew Barnaby

Sergei Zubov – Philippe Boucher
Stephane Robidas – Jaroslav Modry
Trevor Daley – Darryl Sydor

Marty Turco
Tobias Stephan


Detroit Red Wings
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/det38.gif

Departures: C Steve Yzerman (Retirement) , LW Brendan Shanahan (NYR), D Jason Woolley (UFA), G Manny Legace (Stl)
Arrivals: G Dominik Hasek (Ott), C Greg Johnson (Nash)

Here’s a fun problem: too many good centers! Even after losing Stevie Y to retirement, the Wings have three very talented centermens in Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetetrberg and Robert Lang. Mike Babcock played with his combination last season putting Zetterberg on Datsyuk’s wing with great results. From what I read from both Zetterberg and especially coach Babcock, the experiment is over and Shanahan’s departure will revolutionize Detroit’s lineup (as losing such a sniper would do on any team). Detroit might not be the real “Hockey Town”, but at least they have a great organization. After years of dominance you’d think a team would slowly go down in the standings and eventually miss the playoffs, you know, like everybody does, but not Detroit! The Wings have a great scouting department and drafting guys like Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hudler, Flippula, Kopecky makes sure the Wings will be a force to rekon with for years to come!

Niklas Kronwall, another very good draft choice, will only be better this season. He and Lebda are the youngest on a very old but very good squad. Old-timer Chris Chelios is back, again. Nicklas Lidstrom and Mathieu Schneider will still be great offensive treats. Those three are like good old wine. Just imagine this defensive group if Jiri Fischer didn’t have his freaky hearth problems sidelining him.

The Wings are good. Just imagine how good they’d be if Igor Grigorenko didn’t have that car crash! :eek: Any recent news on him Zapp?

Legace was let go for another so-so playoffs performance, but losing in the first round was a team effort, everybody sucked. Signing Hasek is…interesting. Osgood will be there for the regular season and Hasek for the real season if everything goes well.

Depth Chart:

Henrik Zetterberg – Pavel Datsyuk – Mikael Samuelsson
Jason Williams – Robert Lang – Tomas Holmstrom
Johan Franzen – Kris Draper – Kirk Maltby
Tomas Kopecky – Greg Johnson – Dan Cleary

Nicklas Lidstrom – Matthieu Schneider
Andreas Lilja – Niklas Kronwall
Chris Chelios – Danny Markov

Dominik Hasek
Chris Osgood

Edmonton Oilers
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/edm38.gif

Departures: D Chris Pronger (Ana), D Jaroslav Spacek (Buf), C Mike Peca (Tor), LW Sergei Samsonov (Mtl),
Arrivals: D Daniel Tjarnqvist (Minn), LW Joffrey Lupul (Ana), D Ladislav Smid (Ana), C Marty Reasoner (Bos)

After an amazing playoff run, the Oilers were taken back to Earth and fast. M.Pronger’s wife wanted out and Chrissy was traded to Anaheim pronto. Considering the circumstances, Kevin Lowe looks like a genius acquiring future superstar Jeoffrey Lupul and future great d-man Ladislav Smid. Still, it’s hard to imagine Edmonton repeat their Cinderella run without the likes of Pronger, Peca, Spacek and Samsonov. At least they did the smart thing in resigning Dwayne Roloson for a few more years providing the team with the kind of stability in goal unseen since Curtis Joseph left for greener pastures. Oilers fans shouldn’t be too sad though. Ales Hemsky, for one thing, has arrived in a big way and is ready to be a part of the league’s elite. The same can be said about Shawn Horcoff who proved he could act as a first center in the league. Captain Canada is still there, so are Stoll, Pisani, Torres, Moreau, Reasoner (after a brief stint in Boston). Robby Schremp is going to be interesting to look at during training camp. He could take Stoll’s place on the second line. Marc-André Pouliot is NHL ready, but the space down the middle is limited. They could move him to the wing.

Losing Chris Pronger hurts any defensive squad and the Oilers are weaker this year without their general. Edmonton can’t replace him this year. Heck! They haven’t replaced Spacek either! But Greene and Smid are two very good young d-man so Oilers fans rejoice! Your squad doesn’t suck!

Depth Chart:

Ryan Smyth – Shawn Horcoff – Ales Hemsky
Joffrey Lupul – Jarret Stoll – Petr Sykora
Ethan Moreau – Fernando Pisani – Raffi Torres
Brad Winchester – Marty Reasoner – Rob Schremp

Marc-Andre Bergeron – Jason Smith
Steve Staios – Ladislav Smid
Matt Greene – Daniel Tjarnqvist

Dwayne Roloson
Jussi Markanen

Florida Panthers
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/fla38.gif

Departures: G Roberto Luongo (Van), D Lukas Krajicek (Van)
Arrivals: RW Todd Bertuzzi (Van), D Bryan Allen (Fla), G Alex Auld (Fla), G Ed Belfour (Tor), G Craig Anderson (Chi), D Ruslan Salei (Ana)

Oh Florida! Oh the Panthers! Why do they always end up sucking so bad?! They have a great first center in Olli Jokinen, they have good veterans (Roberts, Nieuwendyk, Gelinas, Gratton), they have great young forwards (Weiss, Horton, Stewart who could be great if they stayed off the injury list), they have good d, the had a great goalie and yet they always sucked. Why is that? Why should I know? What do you people expect from me!!! Adding Bertuzzi and Peltonen on offense can only help. Their forwards look very good.

Signing Salei on defense was another good move. The emergence of Bouwmeester and the fiability of Van Ryn gives them a nice top-three.

Yeah, trading a great no.1 goalie sucks, but you got to pay to play. Auld looks good and Crazy Eddie will be there this season. The real future in net for Florida is Peterborough’s David Shantz.

Depth Chart:

Todd Bertuzzi – Olli Jokinen – Nathan Horton
Gary Roberts – Joe Nieuwendyk – Martin Gelinas
Chris Gratton – Jozef Stumpel – Juraj Kolnik
Greg Campbell – Stephen Weiss – Rostislav Olesz

Jay Bouwmeester – Mike Van Ryn
Bryan Allen – Ruslan Salei
Ric Jackman – Ari Vallin

Alex Auld
Ed Belfour


Los Angeles Kings
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/los38.gif

Departures: RW Pavol Demitra (Minn), C Jeremy Roenick (Phx), C Eric Belanger (Car), D Oleg Tverdovsky (Car)
Arrivals: C Patrick O'Sullivan (Minn), C Alyn McAuley (SJ), C Scott Thornton (SJ), G Dan Cloutier (Van), D RW Brian Willsie (Wash), D Kevin Dallman (Stl), D Rob Blake (Col), D Jack Johnson (Car), D Oleg Tverdovsky (Car)

A lot of movement in LA this summer. New GM in Dean Lombardi and new coach Marc Crawford are now in charge hoping to turn the franchise around. The Kings are not that bad. At least they have great young guns ready to step up in Frolov, Cammalleri and Brown.Patrick O'Suulivan, obtained in the Demitra trade, is likely to be given all the chances possible to make the team on the two top lines. He had an amazing rookie year in the AHL in Houston laste season, scoring 47 goals for 93 points. Impressive. Anze Kopitar is also a good candidate to break the lineup. LA's first pick in 2005 (11th overall) has only played one season out of his home country of Slovenia, playing in Sweden pro league last year. Adaption to the NA game and lifestyle could be difficult, or not. Training camp will tell us that. Signing depht guys like Thosnton, McAuley and Willsie is good, but LA currently has 14 forwards who played at least fifty games last season. That's a lot of NHL ready/worthy players. And that's not counting O'Sullivan and Kopitar. Their camp should be interesting. Oh! And Sean Avery is still there, for good and for worst.

Blake is back in LA. Great for them since he was still good last season and will still be for a few more years. LA's defense is not bad at all. Add Visnovski for more offense. Captain Norstrom for his great d-game. Miller and Sopel are reliable guys. Gleason is a good yound d-man.

Crawford has already mentionned that Dan Cloutier will be his no.1 guy between the pipes with Garon as backup. Where does LaBarbera go?

Depth Chart:

Alexander Frolov – Craig Conroy – Patrick O’Sullivan
Eric Belanger – Derek Armstrong – Mike Cammalleri
Scott Thornton – Sean Avery – Dustin Brown
Brian Willsie – Jeff Cowan – Tom Kostopoulos

Rob Blake – Lubomir Visnovsky
Mattias Norstrom – Brent Sopel
Aaron Miller – Oleg Tverdovsky

Dan Cloutier
Mathieu Garon

Minnesota Wild
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/min38.gif

Departures: C Patrick O'Sullivan (LA), D Daniel Tjarnqvist (Edm), LW Randy Robitaille (Phi), D Marc Chouinard (Van), C Alexander Daigle (Switzerland), D Filip Kuba (TB)
Arrivals: LW Pavol Demitra (LA), D Keith Carney (Van), D Kim Johsson (Phi), Parrish (NYI) RW Branko Radivojevic (Phi)

Could it finally be a different season for the Wild? Will Lemaire let his forwards go alittle more and cut them more slack with their defensive play? Keeping Gaborik and trading for his pal Demitra changes the face of this franchise. They should be great together. I don't have a lot of things to say about their offense. Rolston and Bouchard are good, Parrish is ok. They do have some great young players in Voloshenko, Pouliot and Foy. Koivu seems ready enough. Hopefully for Wild fans, the team will become faster and more offensive in the near future.

Minnesota doesn't really have a no.1 d-man, but if Johnsson stays healthy and plays on the top pairing with Carney, it's goign to give them something to cheer about. I saw they signed a d-man from Finland who's been playing in Switzerland for the past five seasons after one year in the NHL with the Blue Jackets in 2000-2001. He could be another Zidlicky...not!

Depth Chart:

Pavol Demitra – Brian Rolston – Marian Gaborik
Pierre-Marc Bouchard – Todd White – Mark Parrish
Stephane Veilleux – Wes Walz – Pascal Dupuis
Mattias Weinhandl – Mikko Koivu – Branko Radivojevic

Kurtis Foster – Kim Johnsson
Nick Schultz – Keith Carney
Brent Burns – Martin Skoula

Manny Fernandez
Josh Harding

Montréal Canadiens
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/mtl38.gif

Departures: RW Richard Zednik (Wash), C Jan Bulis (Van), RW Niklas Sundstrom (Sweden), D Todd Simpson (UFA), C Mike Ribeiro (Dal)
Arrivals: LW Sergei Samsonov (Edm), RW Mike Johnson (Phx), D Janne Niinimaa (Dal)

Ahhhhhh! Les Habs! The greatest hockey franchise ever!! :goodjob:
Trying to stay objective here...ahem. The Habs went after Jason Arnott and Brendan Shanahan with no success. People were getting mad at Gainey before he signed the fast little named Sergei Samsonov! He's a good fit on a fast team. He and Kovalev will be playing together, that's going to be fun to watch! Adding Mike Johnson brings a reliable third liner who can be used to patch things uo if there's injuries.

The Habs have a great problem in the fact that they have a lot of very good young forwards. Ryder played hurt all of last year and scored 30 goals. He'll only be better this year. Higgins, Perezhogin and Plekanec all established themselves as NHLers last season. Guys like Latendresse, Grabovsky, Kostsytstin and Chipchure all have the talent to make the team this season. A great performance at camp, namely stealing someone's job, will make them stay up becasue the space is limited. Grabovsky and Chipchura have the best chances considering Montréal's recurent problem at the center position. Koivu's eye is getting better, but we won't know until training camp if he'll be able to start the season in time. And Ribeiro is on thin ice, he must perform and fast. So good young centers are more than welcome.

The defense stays the same. Markov, Rivet and Souray are all UFA at the end of last year so I expect good performances this season from all of them. Komisarek will become a monster this season. I told you first.

Huet will have to be sharp because Aebischer is telling everyone that he wants to be no.1 too. Good competition with two good goalies is not the worst thing in the world.

Subi says - You can really tell De Lorimier wrote this one ;)

Depth Chart:

Chris Higgins – Saku Koivu – Alexei Kovalev
Sergei Samsonov – Tomas Plekanec – Michael Ryder
Mike Johnson – Radek Bonk – Steve Begin
Alexander Perezhogin – Kyle Chipchura – Garth Murray

Andrei Markov – Craig Rivet
Sheldon Souray – Mathieu Dandenault
Mark Streit – Mike Komisarek

Cristobal Huet
David Aebischer

Nashville Predators
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/nas38.gif

Departures: C Mike Sillinger (NYI), RW Scott Walker (Car), D Brendan Witt (NYI), C Yanic Perreault (UFA), C Greg Johnson (Det)
Arrivals: C Jason Arnott (Dal), C Josef Vasicek (Car), RW J.P. Dumont (Buf)

One of the league's best last season, Nashville sits on top on the Western Conference according to a lot of observers. It's hard to argue with this statement. Kariya, Sullivan, Arnott, Dumont, Erat, Radulov, Legwand, Hartnell, Vasicek, Tootoo, Upshall, this team has depht and skills.

Zidlicky and Timonen are two very good legitimate 1-2 man on the d and are surrounded by young talent ready to explode. Dan Hamhuis has arrived and Shea Weber and Ryan Suter (son of you have to know who) already have NHL experience to show for. Nashville's defense is set for the next few years (until those young guys become rfa, soon enough).

Vokoun just signed a big extension but don't count on him to sit back and enjoy his green. If it wasn't for his injury last season, Nashville could have gone further in the playoffs, no doubt.

Depth Chart:

Paul Kariya – Jason Arnott – Steve Sullivan
Martin Erat – David Legwand – J.P. Dumont
Scott Hartnell – Josef Vasicek – Scottie Upshall
Jordin Tootoo – Vernon Fiddler – Alexander Radulov

Kimmo Timonen – Marek Zidlicky
Dan Hamuis – Shea Weber
Alex Henry – Ryan Suter

Tomas Vokoun
Chris Mason

New Jersey Devils
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/njd38.gif

Departures: C Viktor Kozlov (NYI)
Arrivals: D Jim Fahey (SJ), C Michael Rupp

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz :sleep: Sorry, that's usually what happens when I think of New Jersey.
Lamoriello hired a new coach, Claude Julien, who's just like Lou likes them: systematically boring in every way shape or form.

They kept Elias (7.5), Gomez (5) and Langenbrunner (2.8). They're also trying to keep Gionta (another 4-5 millions). Lou is good with money, but I wonder how he's going to pull that one of. At least New Jersey has Parise, a very good young player who's going to see a lot more ice time this year. Bergfors is also NHL-ready.

The Devils defense is like the organization: not flashy, but effective. Rafalski stayed forthe ride, so did White. Martin, Hale, Matvichuk and Lukowich complete the top six.

Depth Chart:

Patrik Elias – Scott Gomez – Brian Gionta
Sergei Brylin – Zach Parise – Jamie Langenbrunner
Jay Pandolfo – John Madden – Grant Marshall
Jason Ryznar – Cam Janssen – Barry Tallackson

Paul Martin – Brian Rafalski
Brad Lukowich – Colin White
David Hale – Andy Greene

Martin Brodeur
Scott Clemmensen

New York Islanders
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/nyi38.gif

Departures: G Garth Snow (retired)
Arrivals: D Brendan Witt (Nas), C Mike Sillinger (Nas), RW Viktor Kozlov (NJ), D Andy Hilbert (Pit), LW Chris Simon (Cgy), D Tom Poti (NYR)

Party on Wang! Party on Garth!
Hiring Neil Smith, Ted Nola, Pat Lafontaine and Bryan Trottier were good moves. It almost made it seem as if Wang actually cared about bringing back some respectability to Long Island. turns out Wang finished his Hockey for Dummies edition just in time to get rid of Smith, see Lafontaine bail on his ridiculous antics and hire the backup goalie as the new GM. That made sense. Just when we all tought he was pretty much done with wacky moves this summer, gives a fifteen years contract to DiPietro. Don't get me wrong, I like DiPietro, but that's just dumb.

Anyway. The Isles offence sadly still relies on the shoulder of Mr.Lazy Underachiever Alexei Yashin himself. Mike Sillinger is not scoring thirty goals again. At least Satan will give his ol' 30-30. Hunter, Blake, York are all fine players, but nothing to get excited about. Long Island has great young forwards in Nilsson, Tambellini, Colliton, O'Marra, Bergenheim, Okposo, ect. Luckily for them, the screwed up management will surely find a way to lose them to other teams for nothing.

Grebeshkov and Campoli are in the same boat. Those two talented d-men must pray that Snow will trade them for a bad of pucks and a jack-strap soon. Adding Witt and Poti looks good on paper, but the Isles are not getting rid of their loser stigma this season.

Subi says – 15 years!?!?!?! :run:

Depth Chart:

Miroslav Satan – Alexei Yashin – Jason Blake
Jeff Tambellini – Mike York – Trent Hunter
Shawn Bates – Mike Sillinger – Arron Asham
Chris Simon – Robert Nilsson – Viktor Kozlov

Chris Campoli – Alexei Zhitnik
Brendan Witt – Tom Poti
Sean Hill – Radek Martinek

Rick DiPietro
Wade Dubielewicz

New York Rangers
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/nyr38.gif

Departures: D Tom Poti (NYI), C Petr Sykora (Edm)
Arrivals: LW Brendan Shanahan (Det). D Aaron Ward (Car), C Matt Cullen (Car), RW Adam Hall (Car)

Manhattan's own are looking good. After a few years of drought of success, the Rangers have come to back to respectability last season with the revival of Jaromir Jagr's career as a franchise player. Happier surrounded with fellow Czechs (now Oiler Sykora, new Blue Rucinsky, Straka, Prucha, Rozsival, Malik), Jagr went back to his old self scoring 54 goals for 123 points, just two short of Thornton's 125. Signed this summer, Shanahan will only add more firepower to a talented group of forwards. Bringing in two veterans who played big roles in a Stanley Cup Champion team in Cullen and Ward gives the Rangers much needed experience and depht. Look for the Blueshirts young guns to flourish this season (Prucha, Immonen, Dawes).

NY's defense is, like a lot around the league, not spectacular but adequate. Poti's departure left a small hole that the Rangers filled with Karel Rachunek who spent the last two season in Europe. Mark Staal played twelve playoffs games in the AHL last season. I'm not sure if he's NHL ready, but either way NY has a great prospect in him. Tyutin is another good young d-man on the Rangers roster. He's already there.

Lunqvist surprised a lot of people with a stellar rookie year and was responsible for the Rangers success. Rangers fans were more expecting Al montoya to step up and take the no.1 spot between the pipes. Let's just say that NY is solid in the crease. And Kevin Weekes as a backup is very, very good.

Depth Chart:

Brendan Shanahan – Martin Straka – Jaromir Jagr
Petr Prucha – Michael Nylander – Adam Hall
Marcel Hossa – Matt Cullen – Jason Ward
Ryan Hollweg – Blair Betts – Jed Ortmeyer

Michal Rozsival – Fedor Tyutin
Aaron Ward – Marek Malik
Darius Kasparaitis – Sandis Ozoliinsh

Henrik Lunqvist
Kevin Weekes

Ottawa Senators
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/ott38.gif

Departures: D Zdeno Chara (Bos), RW Martin Havlat (Chi), C Bryan Smolinski (Chi), G Dominik Hasek (Det), C Tyler Arnason (Col)
Arrivals: D Joe Corvo (LA), G Martin Gerber (Car), D Michal Barinka (Chi), D Tom Preissing (SJ), D Josh Hennessy (SJ)

Losing Havlat and Chara would hurt any team, but Ottawa is still a powerhouse of the East with guys like Alfie, Heatley and Spezza. Kaigodorov is making the move from Russia to Ontario and is expected to be given second line duty off the bat if he's ready (wich the Sens seem to think he his). What's also impressive about the Sens is their depht. When you have guys like Fisher, Eaves, Schaefer Neil, Vermette and Kelly in addition to the superstars, that's a scary combination.

Redden will lead a greatd efensive squad. Chara might be out, but free agent Corvo and Pressing (involved in the Havlat blockbuster) are very good additions to the team. Rookie Meszaros had a great rookie season (10-29-39). Phillips and Volchenkov complete the group. Great group.

Depth Chart:

Dany Heatley – Jason Spezza – Daniel Alfredsson
Peter Schaefer – Mike Fisher – Patrick Eaves
Chris Kelly – Antoine Vermette – Chris Neil
Dean McAmmond – Alexei Kaigorodov – Brain McGrattan

Wade Redden – Joe Corvo
Andrej Meszaros – Chris Phillips
Tom Preissing – Anton Volchenkov

Martin Gerber
Ray Emery

Philadelphia Flyers
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/phi38.gif

Departures: C Keith Primeau (Retired), D Eric Desjardins (Retired), RW Donald Brashear (Was), RW Branko Radivojevic (Min), D Kim Johnsson (Min), C Michal Handzus (Chi)
Arrivals: RW Kyle Calder (Chi), LW Randy Robitaille (Min), D Nolan Baumgartner (Van), LW Geoff Sanderson (Pho)

The Flyers received Great news (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=171071&hubname=) this summer when Peter Forsberg was told he didn't needed a second ankle surgery that would have pushed his return on the ice to january. It looks like he'll me in the lineup on opening night. Tim Panaccio (http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=2796) from the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that the Flyers second unit would be newly acquired Calder, with Mike Richards at cenetr and Jeff Carter, fresh of a very good rookie season at center on the wing. Carter and Richards played together in the OHL and would be more than happy to play alongside each other in the big league.
Anyone has news on Nedved?

Desjardins retirement is more a lost in the lockeroom than on the ice, just like Primeau. So Philly's defense is not in too bad of a shape. Pitkanen is a solid no.1 d-man and should be on everybody's radar. This group might not be the fastest, but playing a physical on defense will never go away, the Flyers have plenty of that.

Niittymaki or Esche?

Depth Chart:

Simon Gagne – Peter Forsberg – Mike Knuble
Kyle Calder – Jeff Carter – R.J. Umberger
Geoff Sanderson – Mike Richards – Sami Kapanen
Randy Robitaille – Petr Nedved – Mark Cullen

Mike Rathje – Joni Pitkanen
Derian Hatcher – Freddy Meyer
Denis Gauthier – Nolan Baumgartner

Antero Niittymaki
Robert Esche

Pheonix Coyotes
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/pho38.gif


Departures: D Paul Mara (Bos), RW Mike Johnson (Mon), LW Geoff Sanderson (Phi)
Arrivals: C Jeremy Roenick (LA), RW Owen Nolan (UFA), D Nick Boynton (Bos), RW Georges Laraque (Edm), G Mke Morrison (Ott). D Ed Jovanovski (Van)

Gretzky’s crew made some big moves in the off season, signing Roenick, Nolan, and Jovanovski, as well as acquiring Nick Boynton from Boston. They are looking to improve on their 12th place finish last season, and if Curtis Joseph can perform like he did last season, they might just see a bump in the standings. Whether or not they will be able to challenge for a playoff spot in the tough Western Conference still remains to be seen.

Questions also arise about some of their players. Does Joseph still have fuel in his tank to help backstop the Coyotes? Is Owen Nolan still healthy enough to play a full season? Can Jeremy Roenick rebound from a disappointing campaign last year?

Depth Chart:

Ladislav Nagy – Mike Comrie – Shane Doan
Jeremy Roenick – Steve Reinprecht – Owen Nolan
Fredrik Sjostrom – Dave Scatchard – Oleg Saprykin
Bill Thomas – Mike Ricci – Georges Laraque

Keith Ballard – Ed Jovanovski
Nick Boynton – Derek Morris
Dennis Seidenberg – Zbynek Michalek

Curtis Joseph
Mike Morrison

Pittsburgh Penguins
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/pit38.gif


Departures: C Andy Hilbert (NYI), C Krystofer Kolanos (Det)
Arrivals: C Evgeni Malkin (Russia), LW Nils Ekman (SJ), RW Ronald Petrovicky (Atl), RW Mark Recchi (Car), RW Jarkko Ruutu (Van), D Micki DuPont (Germany)

Ahh, the Penguins. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin…uhh…who else? The Penguins still have not improved greatly over last season. They added Nils Ekman, and reacquired Mark Recchi, giving them some scoring threats besides the big two, but after that, the depth chart goes over a steep ledge into a deep, deep ravine. Sure to be another train wreck, although probably not as big as last year’s.

The Penguins are strong down the center, with Crosby, Malkin, and in the future, Jordan Staal. Outside of the top two lines, the Pens have some AHL quality players. Don’t expect too much this season. But there is some good news. They have a really great shot at getting another 1st overall draft pick!

Depth Chart:

Nils Ekman – Sidney Crosby – Colby Armstrong
Ryan Malone – Evgeni Malkin – Mark Recchi
John Leclair – Jordan Staal – Ronald Petrovicky
Jarkko Ruutu – Dominic Moore – Andre Roy

Ryan Whitney – Sergei Gonchar
Josef Melichar – Brooks Orpik
Noah Welch – Mark Eaton

Marc-Andre Fleury
Jocelyn Thibault

San Jose Sharks
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/san38.gif


Departures: LW Scott Thornton (LA), LW Nils Ekman (Pit), Tom Preissing (Ott), C Josh Hennessy (Ott), D Jim Fahey (NJ)
Arrivals: D Mathieu Biron (Was), LW Mark Bell (Chi), RW Mike Grier (Buf), C Curtis Brown (Chi)

The Sharks are back, led by their dynamic duo of Joe Thornton and Jonathon Cheechoo. There is no telling how many points these two could rack up given an entire season playing beside each other. They also have some promising young players like Milan Michalek and Steve Bernier.

The only question in goal is, who? Vesa Toskala and Evgeni Nabokov are both eyeing the number 1 spot, and either could get it. Either way, they will have a good goaltender guarding their net.

Depth Chart:

Mark Bell – Joe Thornton – Jonathon Cheechoo
Milan Michalek – Patrick Marleau – Steve Bernier
Ville Nieminen – Curtis Brown – Mike Grier
Grant Stevenson – Mark Smith – Marcel Goc

Scott Hannan – Kyle McLaren
Matt Carle – Christian Ehrhoff
Josh Gorges – Doug Murray

Vesa Toskala
Evgeni Nabokov


St. Louis Blues
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/stl38.gif


Departures: RW Mark Rycroft (Col), RW Jesse Boulerice (Car)
Arrivals: D Jay McKee (Buf), C Doug Weight (Car), RW Dan Hinote (Col), RW Bill Guerin (Dal), RW Martin Rucinsky (NYR), G Manny Legace (Det), D Jamie Rivers (Pho), RW Radek Dvorak (Edm)

St. Louis was certainly busy in the off season, signing Doug Weight, Bill Guerin, Radek Dvorak, Martin Rucinsky, Radek Dvorak, Jay McKee, and Manny Legace. In fact, I would predict that St. Louis has an excellent chance at the Stanley Cup…if this were the 1990’s. However, it isn’t, and Tkachuk, Weight, and Guerin are all well into their thirties, with their best hockey behind them. All three had their numbers decrease last season.

St. Louis was a goaltending graveyard last year, with one goaltender after another going through the revolving door that was the St. Louis net. Can Legace survive it? If the Blue expect to improve this season, Legace will have to perform well just to keep the Blues alive in many games.

Additionally, the Blues’ 3rd and 4th lines are very low quality. The majority of these players would be in the AHL if they were on different NHL teams.

Depth Chart:

Keith Tkachuk – Doug Weight – Bill Guerin
Martin Rucinsky – Petr Cajanek – Radek Dvorak
Lee Stempniak – Jamal Mayers – Dallas Drake
Jay McClement – Dan Hinote – Ryan Johnson

Barret Jackman – Eric Brewer
Jay McKee – Christian Backman
Bryce Salvador – Dennis Wideman

Manny Legace
Curtis Sanford

Tampa Bay
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/tam38.gif


Departures: LW Fredrik Modin (Cmb), G Fredrik Norrena (Cmb), G John Grahame (Car), D Darryl Sydor (Dal), Pavel Kubina (Tor)
Arrivals: G Marc Denis (Cmb), D Andy Delmore (Cmb), D Luke Richardson (Tor), LW Nikita Alexeev (Russia)

Tampa Bay stumbled only one season after winning the Stanley Cup after losing star goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. They were unable to find a similar level of success with John Grahame and Sean Burke, only managing to grab the 8th playoff spot in the east. A major problem for Tampa is that almost half of their payroll is tied up in three players, leaving little room for a new star goalie. They hope that they have found themselves a new solid starter in Marc Denis. However, should Denis go down, the Bolts are in serious trouble.

Depth Chart

Vaclav Prospal – Brad Richards – Martin St. Louis
Ryan Craig – Vincent Lecavalier – Ruslan Fedotenko
Dimitriy Afanasenkov – Tim Taylor – Rob DiMaio
Andreas Karlsson – Martin Cibak – Eric Perrin

Filip Kuba – Dan Boyle
Cory Sarich – Nolan Pratt
Luke Richardson – Paul Ranger

Marc Denis
Gerald Coleman

Toronto Maple Leafs
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/tor38.gif


Departures: G Tuukka Rask (Bos), Tie Domi (UFA), G Ed Belfour (Fla), C Eric Lindros (Dal)
Arrivals: G Andrew Raycroft (Bos), D Pavel Kubina (TB), D Hal Gill (Bos), C Michael Peca (Edm)

A collective cheer erupted across the rest of Canada last season when the Maple Leafs failed to qualify for the post-season. The Leafs set out to get themselves back on track with a series of off season moves. They brought in Andrew Raycroft, Pavel Kubina, Michael Peca, and Hal Gill, seeking to improve their team this season. A big question mark is Andrew Raycroft. Will it be the Calder winning Raycroft of 2004 or the disappointing Raycroft of last season? If it is last season’s Raycroft, trading away prospect Tuukka Rask could be a big mistake. If they get continued good play from their young players like Steen and Wellwood, they might just return to the post season.

Depth Chart:

Alexander Steen – Mats Sundin – Darcy Tucker
Kyle Wellwood – Michael Peca – Jeff O’Neill
Nikolai Antropov – Matt Stajan – Alexei Ponikarovsky
Chad Kilger – John Pohl – Ben Ondrus

Bryan McCabe – Tomas Kaberle
Carlo Colaiacovo – Pavel Kubina
Hal Gill – Staffan Kronwall

Andrew Raycroft
Mikael Tellqvist


Vancouver Canucks
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/van38.gif


Departures: RW Todd Bertuzzi (Fla), D Bryan Allen (Fla), G Alex Auld (Fla), D Ed Jovanovski (Pho), D Keith Carney (Min), LW Jarkko Ruutu (Pit), G Dan Cloutier (LA), D Nolan Baumgartner (Phi), G Mika Noronen (Russia), RW Anson Carter (Cmb), D Eric Weinhandl (retirement)
Arrivals: G Roberto Luongo (Fla), D Lukas Krajicek (Fla), C Brandon Reid (Switzerland), D Willie Mitchell (Dal), RW Taylor Pyatt (Buf), C Marc Chouinard (Min), C Jan Bulis (Mtl), D Rory Fitzpatrick (Buf)

After missing the post-season last year, the Canucks underwent a major face lift. A large number of players left, and were replaced by others. Among the notable departures include Todd Bertuzzi, Alex Auld, Ed Jovanovski, Dan Cloutier, and Anson Carter. They managed to secure much sought goaltender Roberto Luongo from Florida. Given the way Luongo has been practically standing on his head the last few seasons in Miami, he should have a bit easier time in Vancouver. The defense took a large hit with the loss of Jovanovski. Goals could run scarce, as the Canucks have lost two 20+ goal scorers (Bertuzzi and Carter), replacing them with only with 20 goals (Bulis).

The goods news however, is that Luongo could provide the Canucks with some very valuable goaltending that should keep them close. Additionally, if the Sedins can learn to play without Carter, they will provide some valuable additionally scoring for the Canucks.

Depth Chart

Markus Naslund – Brendan Morrison – Matt Cooke
Daniel Sedin – Henrik Sedin – Jan Bulis
Marc Chouinard – Ryan Kesler – Alexandre Burrows
Josh Green – Rick Rypien – Taylor Pyatt

Mattias Ohlund – Sami Salo
Lukas Krajicek – Willie Mitchell
Luc Bourdon – Kevin Bieksa

Roberto Luongo
Wade Flaherty

Washington Capitals
http://nhl.speedera.net/img/team/was38.gif


Departures: C Jared Aulin (FA), D, Mathieu Biron (SJ), RW Brian Willsie (LA)
Arrivals: D Brian Pothier (Ott), RW Richard Zednik (Mtl), LW Donald Brashear (Phi), D John Erskine (NYI), LW Alexandre Giroux (NYR)

It’s late, I’m tired, and I want to finish this. Alexander Ovechkin good, the rest of the Caps, not quite as good. Olaf Kolzig is old. Caps don’t really have much to replace him. Only Brent Johnson.

Depth Chart:

Alexander Ovechkin – Dainius Zubrus – Chris Clark
Alexander Semin – Matt Pettinger – Richard Zednik
Brooks Laich – Brian Sutherby – Ben Clymer
Donald Brashear – Kris Beech – Matt Bradley

Steve Eminger – Jamie Heward
Brian Pothier – Shaone Morrison
Mike Green – Bryan Muir

Olaf Kolzig
Brent Johnson

for once I'm thankful that Subi has too much time at his hands :p
nice work :goodjob:

It looks like I'll finally again follow a NHL season after a long time, mainly due to the Fantatsy league :)

cool nice work DeLo :goodjob:

And great work Subi! :goodjob:

I did the teams from Anaheim to Philly and our resident SuperBeaver took care of the rest last night. Thanks a lot Subi! :thumbsup:

It all starts tonight ladies!!!!

Great work:goodjob: I have high hopes for my team the Flames this year importantly they've kept the core group of players that reached the playoffs, ecept for Leopold of course. Im also really excited by the arival of Tanguay;
iginla, Langkow and Tanguay will make great first line.:king:

Great Work! :thumbsup: C-A-P-S! CAPS! CAPS! CAPS!

I'm thinking a goal of 13th in the conference is reasonable.

any of you played NHL 07 on PC ?

I think the last of the NHL games I played on PC was 96 :ack:

I have '06, '02, and '95. I really don't see any point in buying a new one each year, unless of course a team moved or something. It is pretty easy to keep the rosters updated yourself, except for rookies. With '02 Atlanta was terrible because they didn't have Heatley and Kovalchuk. :crazyeye:

Breaking News!

Pittsburgh Penguins sold!

Link (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=179841&hubname=nhl)

New owner is Canadian business man Jim Balsillie of Windsor.

My last NHL game was '02, I defienetly pull it out and play it still.

I know it's early, but lets hear everyones prediction for the Stanley Cup, or if you cant narrow it down to one you can say top two.

My prediction: Anaheim Ducks.
Team i want to win: Colorado Avalanche.

C-a-p-s! Caps! Caps! Caps!

C-a-p-s! Caps! Caps! Caps!

:crazyeye: What have you been smoking ;)

:crazyeye: What have you been smoking ;)

Alex Ovekchin! :p

Alex Ovekchin! :p

And a bunch of AHLers :p

Scores for Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Buffalo 3 @ Carolina 2 (SO)
Ottawa 4 @ Toronto 1
Dallas 3 @ Colorado 2 (OT)

Scores for Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Buffalo 3 @ Carolina 2 (SO)
Ottawa 4 @ Toronto 1
Dallas 3 @ Colorado 2 (OT)

There were all away teams!!!!!!!!!

poor home fans !

Scores for Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Buffalo 3 @ Carolina 2 (SO)
Ottawa 4 @ Toronto 1
Dallas 3 @ Colorado 2 (OT)

I watched the entire Carolina game and 2+ periods of the Avalanche game :cool: . Carolina should have one, Cole hit the post and they didn't
convert a 5 on 3 :sad: . Colorado came out flying, and were still up
2-0 when I went to bed- so when I saw the score this morning= :eek: .

Can't say the Ottawa-Toronto game was too encouraging from the point of view of the Sens fan.

Without solid play by Gerber, the score could easily have been reversed.

Can't say the Ottawa-Toronto game was too encouraging from the point of view of the Sens fan.

Without solid play by Gerber, the score could easily have been reversed.

CBC isn't showing the game tonight in Western Canada, but judging by the score, it's not looking too encouraging tonight...

It is far and away one of the most embarassing game the Senators have played since David Allison was their head coach.

Terrible. Terrible. Terrible. No heart.

5-0 :ack:

I hope the Sens start to improve their play, and quickly.

And with a score of 5-0, you would think that Kaberle could at least get me some points for the fantasy league. :gripe:

Sundin got some good points! :D

poor Ottawa ...

Sundin got some good points! :D

Lucky you. All Kaberle got me was a lousy +1...

Can't say the Ottawa-Toronto game was too encouraging from the point of view of the Sens fan.

Without solid play by Gerber, the score could easily have been reversed.

Sens didn't look so great last night, but the Leafs were just absolutely dreadful.

Tonight on the other hand... well that's just a teaser. The Sens just let us have it to goad Leafs fans into the usual "This year for sure!" refrain so that we'll embarass ourselves yet again. ;)

Sens didn't look so great last night, but the Leafs were just absolutely dreadful.

Tonight on the other hand... well that's just a teaser. The Sens just let us have it to goad Leafs fans into the usual "This year for sure!" refrain so that we'll embarass ourselves yet again. ;)

After hammering the Leafs all of last season the Sens probably felt like being nice and giving the Leafs a win. ;)

Last night's Sens-Leafs game had 1.33 million viewers :crazyeye: (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=179911&hubname=nhl)

Scores for Thursday, October 5, 2006

Toronto 6 @ Ottawa 0
Washington 2 @ NY Rangers 5
Tampa Bay 3 @ Atlanta 2 (SO)
Vancouver 3 @ Detroit 1
Chicago 8 @ Nashville 6 :run:
NY Islanders 3 @ Phoenix 6
Philadelphia 0 @ Pittsburgh 4
Colorado 2 @ Minnesota 3 (OT)
Calgary 1 @ Edmonton 3
St. Louis 4 @ San Jose 5(OT)

8-6 ? did they play without keepers or what? :ack:

8-6 ? did they play without keepers or what? :ack:

Vokoun and Khabibulin must have been rusty. In fact, Vokoun's GAA was something like 7.3 :crazyeye:

Alex Ovechkin was a -4 tonight and held pointless. I know it's just the first game but plenty of pool and fantasy people are probably not too thrilled with their first overall pick's performance...

I don't think any of the first round picks had good nights :ack:

Can't say the Ottawa-Toronto game was too encouraging from the point of view of the Sens fan.

Without solid play by Gerber, the score could easily have been reversed.

Was Gerber in goal for some/all of the rematch? :scan: If so, uh-oh--- his
confidence may be very fragile this year anyway.

Was Gerber in goal for some/all of the rematch? :scan: If so, uh-oh--- his
confidence may be very fragile this year anyway.

I just don't see why Ottawa would want Gerber in nets.

A low-grade goalie for a high-grade team.

Was Gerber in goal for some/all of the rematch? :scan: If so, uh-oh--- his
confidence may be very fragile this year anyway.
I think he was pulled after the 5th goal, not much better though....:(

I hope that Gerber was just having a bad night, just like Vokoun. If he wasn't...then this is going to be a long season for Ottawa.

well, supposedly he played pretty good in the first game :)

well, supposedly he played pretty good in the first game :)

Yeah, pboily says that he played solid that night.

He is a very good goalie, not just average ;) --- but his confidence may be
very fragile for quite a while :mischief: .

Oilers resign Moreau (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=179990&hubname=nhl)

Canadians were stolen in buffalo. I agree though that maybe the refs whistled too quick in afinogenov case but in the third period the referees stopped the play for a penalty. the crowd booed, they say to Briere that he gets a penalty he goes to the penalty box but probably tell him its for sparing (10min. misconduct) so he gets out...continues to talk with official and gets away! he goes on the face off and scores! the RDS' anchormen tried to have the version of the NHL but they didnt answer all the rest of the game...

Yeah that was weird... He did try to spear Bonk, he just missed him. And if there's no penalty, then why was the game stopped? I wish Carbonneau stayed awake for the third period and said something. I'm eager to learn more about what was said between Brière, Auger and the other refs.

and what about my stellar Zach Parisé! what did I told you...Ovechkin gave me minus 0.75...Parisé gave me like 10 points!

Scores for Friday, October 6, 2006

New Jersey 4 @ Carolina 0
Vancouver 3 @ Columbus 2 (OT)
Montreal 4 @ Buffalo 5 (SO)
Boston 3 @ Florida 8
Los Angeles 3 @ Anaheim 4

and what about my stellar Zach Parisé! what did I told you...Ovechkin gave me minus 0.75...Parisé gave me like 10 points!
Are you comparing Zach Parise to Alexander Ovechkin? Put Pierre Dagenias with Gomez and Gionta and he'll score some. I agree that Parise is a good second year prospect, not leading his class, but progressing well. Ovechkin is light years away at this point.

Are you comparing Zach Parise to Alexander Ovechkin? Put Pierre Dagenias with Gomez and Gionta and he'll score some. I agree that Parise is a good second year prospect, not leading his class, but progressing well. Ovechkin is light years away at this point.

i'm comparing them from their last game...

Mike Rathje out indefinitely (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=180086&hubname=nhl)

Scores for Friday, October 6, 2006

Boston 3 @ Florida 8


Great season opener! :p The funny thing is, they didn't look that bad in the first period, especially very early. They controlled the puck, and were getting some good chances. The third period just stunk, along with our penalty kill (4/8 - 50%).

Lemaire seems to have the Wild playing the run and gun. Wow. Hell has frozen over, pigs are flying...

This is fun to watch.

Scores for Saturday, October 7, 2006

Florida 0 @ Atlanta 6
Buffalo 4 @ Ottawa 3
NY Rangers 5 @ Philadelphia 4 (SO)
Montreal 3 @ Toronto 2 (SO)
Carolina 2 @ Washington 5
Detroit 2 @ Pittsburgh 0
Boston 3 @ Tampa Bay 2
New Jersey 1 @ Dallas 3
Nashville 5 @ Minnesota 6
Columbus 5 @ Chicago 4
Edmonton 1 @ Calgary 2
Anaheim 2 @ Phoenix 1
St. Louis 1 @ Los Angeles 4
NY Islanders 0 @ San Jose 2

If I'm not mistaken, out of all the teams represented in this thread thus far, mine is the only remaining undefeated.

Wild are undefeated also. Both teams are in the running for the first week Stanley Cup.

Oh right, well I was counting a week ahead you know...

If I'm not mistaken, out of all the teams represented in this thread thus far, mine is the only remaining undefeated.

And of course, the first two games decide everything.

Alexander Semin with a hat trick, Ovechkin adds 2 and the Caps win!

You mean someone on the Caps besides Ovechkin is capable of scoring? :run:

Score for Sunday, October 8, 2006

Vancouver 2 @ Colorado 3

If the 'Canes don't start playing some inspired hockey- we may go from 1st to
Last in the blink of an eye :eek: . The defense has looked pathetic so far :mad: . Ward has stunk, Brindi hasn't scored yet and Stillman will be out
quite awhile :sad: .

Would it kill the Cup Winners to not blow the year after?

Would it kill the Cup Winners to not blow the year after?

:lol: Wow, that is hilarious. :lol:

Would it kill the Cup Winners to not blow the year after?

They still have a very good team, but they will not sneak up on anyone this
year--- everybody brings their best game vs them. Right now it seems they
have the post-cup blahs and their defense seems ultra-weak :scan: . The
three games so far= Devils get revenge, Sabres get revenge, and Capitals always play the 'Canes tough.

Report: Flyers interested in Brian Leetch (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=180293&hubname=nhl)

:run:

You love that little guy, doncha?

Anyways, this is what I thought would happen to Ward. Maybe he was just playing on a high for 20 or so games and isn't a real starter. I woulda signed Hedberg or someone else capable of being a starter to prepare for this if I were them.

Who's the back-up in Raleigh?

Scores for Monday, October 9, 2006

Phoenix 1 @ Columbus 5
Atlanta 1 @ Tampa Bay 0
Florida 1 @ Toronto 2 (SO)
San Jose 4 @ Calgary 1
St. Louis 0 @ Anaheim 2

You love that little guy, doncha?

Yes, yes I do. :p

Who's the back-up in Raleigh?


Grahame I do believe.

Keith Ballard out at least 4 weeks (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=180374&hubName=nhl)

Grahame I do believe.

You believe correct.

Pavel Kubina out with sprained MCL (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=180337&hubname=nhl)

Grahame I do believe.
I think you chose to use the word "believe" because if it's a belief, there's always a chance you may be wrong. :)

I think you chose to use the word "believe" because if it's a belief, there's always a chance you may be wrong. :)

he's right...I dont understand why they signed him. I would have gone with a youngster....

I'm happy that my Leafs are 2-1-1 to start the season. Thursday against New Jersey could be rude, but Saturday against the Flames could be rally cool id the Flames don't shake this early season funk...

I think you chose to use the word "believe" because if it's a belief, there's always a chance you may be wrong. :)

I've only been wrong once in my life- when I THOUGHT I was wrong but I wasn't :D .

just kidding... I always try to put: I think, maybe, I believe or something
of that nature if I'm not 100% sure to keep from be embarassed by guys
that know alot more than I do and don't mind being a tailhole about it ;) .

but if you're wrong, Grahame is not the back-up goalie and the Canes have a shot at it.

Sorry, dgfred, my joke got lost in translation.

but if you're wrong, Grahame is not the back-up goalie and the Canes have a shot at it.

Sorry, dgfred, my joke got lost in translation.

I got what you mean pal ;) . If someone besides Ward is goalie the Canes
have a chance :mischief: .

I got what you mean pal ;) . If someone besides Ward is goalie the Canes
have a chance :mischief: .

we could say the same thing with gerber in Ottawa ;)

we could and we are saying it.

What a barfbag the guy's been so far.

we could and we are saying it.

What a barfbag the guy's been so far.

I only saw 1 game with Gerber in nets. He's a "feu de paille"
We will see this saturday.

BTW check your PM's Senor PBoily. :)

I think you forgot to send me new PMs. Taliesin's is the last one I received.

I think you forgot to send me new PMs. Taliesin's is the last one I received.

I sent it again it should be in now!

BTW one of my coworkers will come and he a lidgit CFC member (he has only 3 posts and plays that CivIVor warlords game) so we will be 5 at most. :)

got it. I'll see you guys there.

Scores for Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Philadelphia 4 @ NY Rangers 2
Vancouver 1 @ Minnesota 2 (SO)
NY Islanders 2 @ Los Angeles 4

Sens to start Emery against Calgary (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=180444&hubname=nhl)

Habs to start Aebisher against Philly

:p

I haven't seen any news on it yet but Ryan Kesler had to have gotten a concussion in last night's Wild - 'Nucks game. He got checked hard into the boards head first, was on the ice for a while, got up wobbly and then went back down. It was obvious he was in another world. Hopefully he will be ok, I hate seeing those kind of injuries.

It is funny how much the Canucks look like last year's Wild - playing the neutral zone trap with great goaltending behind it and limited offence. I wish Luongo was still out east but fortunately they can't score and their defence isn't the greatest.

Sens to start Emery against Calgary (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=180444&hubname=nhl)

Habs to start Aebisher against Philly

:p

what I really really want to know is who will start in San José...who have Emery in his pool anyway!? :)

what I really really want to know is who will start in San José...who have Emery in his pool anyway!? :)

And like I said before, you aren't going to be able to find out until the game's start. :p

Wild sign Jacques Lemaire to contract extension (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=180455&hubname=nhl)

Scores for October 12, 2006

Boston 1 @ Atlanta 4
Phoenix 2 @ Detroit 9
Carolina 3 @ Florida 6
Montreal 3 @ Philadelphia 1
NY Islanders 5 @ Anaheim 4 (SO)

Would it hurt the canadiens not to suck in the third period?

It was a great game! The reffing was so-so, there was a couple of calls that were questionnable. But good game all in all.

Would it hurt the canadiens not to suck in the third period?

It was a great game! The reffing was so-so, there was a couple of calls that were questionnable. But good game all in all.

its been like 8-10 years that the canadians stop attacking when they are leading which always cause them to get 1 to 2 goal scored against. I thought they'd learn from their buffalo game. But it seems carbo love the defensive 3rd period.

Scores for Thursday, October 12, 2006

Pittsburgh 6 @ NY Rangers 5
Toronto 6 @ New Jersey 7 (SO)
Calgary 1 @ Ottawa 0
Washington 2 @ Minnesota 3 (SO)
Boston 2 @ St. Louis 3 (SO)
Nashville 1 @ Chicago 3
San Jose 4 @ Edmonton 6
Dallas 4 @ Los Angeles 1

Double hat-tricks in the San Jose/Edm game :eek: :goodjob: .

I watched the Sens - Flames game. :sleep:

That game was played in slowmotion.

Edit: Ottawa .... keep that goalie ... dump Gerber.

Ray Emery? He looked pretty good, but let them play Gerber against the Leafs and any goalie I have in my hockey pool ;p

I'm just a little put out that the Leafs blew a 6-3 lead in the third period against New Jersey to lose in a shootout. Still 6 points in 5 games is not bad though...

I watched the Sens - Flames game. :sleep:

That game was played in slowmotion.

Raisin, I thought you said you liked hockey... that was an amazing game.

haha I was in last place in my pool but I have Cheechoo and smyth on my team who got a hat trick each and Ryan Whitney who amassed like 12 points for me yesterday...i'm nearly first!!!!

Scores for Friday, October 13, 2006

Buffalo 3 @ Detroit 2 (SO)
Carolina 4 @ Atlanta 3
Tampa Bay 2 @ Florida 3
San Jose 6 @ Vancouver 4

Dion Phaneuf's massive hit on Denis Hamel for those who didn't see it :crazyeye: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELSZTel1oq0)

Dion Phaneuf's massive hit on Denis Hamel for those who didn't see it :crazyeye: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELSZTel1oq0)

I dont know but that's obstruction for me...

Wow. Mark Giordano, essentially Calgary's 7th defenseman, has two goals so far in the game. :crazyeye:

And they were his first two NHL goals. :crazyeye:

Yeah this Leafs Flames is a wild one. The Leafs get two in the first, the Flames get three early in the second, now the Leafs get two quick ones. 4-3 Leafs end of second...

Scores for Saturday, October 14, 2006

NY Rangers 4 @ Buffalo 7
Ottawa 3 @ Montreal 2 (SO)
Boston 1 @ NY Islanders 4
Calgary 4 @ Toronto 5 (OT)
Atlanta 4 @ Washington 3 (OT)
Philadelphia 2 @ New Jersey 3
Carolina 5 @ Pittsburgh 1
Florida 1 @ Tampa Bay 4
Columbus 0 @ Minnesota 5
Phoenix 1 @ Nashville 4
Chicago 3 @ St. Louis 4
Edmonton 4 @ Colorado 3
Dallas 4 @ Los Angeles 1

Score for Sunday, October 15, 2006

Dallas 4 @ Anaheim 3 (SO)

Evgeni Malkin to return on Wednesday! :dance: (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=180980&hubname=nhl)

TSN Power Rankings for October 16, 2006

1)Dallas Stars 5-0-0
2)Minnesota Wild 5-0-0
3)Anaheim Ducks 3-0-2
4)Detroit Red Wings 2-1-1
5)Buffalo Sabres 5-0-0
6)Edmonton Oilers 3-1-0
7)New Jersey Devils 3-1-0
8)San Jose Sharks 4-1-0
9)Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1-2
10)Atlanta Thrashers 4-1-1
11)Florida Panthers 3-2-1
12)Montreal Canadiens 2-0-2
13)Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1-1
14)Chicago Blackhawks 2-2-0
15)Washington Capitals 1-1-2
16)Pittsburgh Penguins 2-2-0
17)Vancouver Canucks 2-2-1
18)Calgary Flames 2-2-1
19)St. Louis Blues 2-2-1
20)Ottawa Senators 2-3-0
21)Nashville Predators 1-3-0
22)Los Angeles Kings 2-3-0
23)Tampa Bay Lightning 2-3-0
24)New York Rangers 2-3-0
25)Colorado Avalanche 1-1-2
26)New York Islanders 2-3-0
27)Carolina Hurricanes 2-3-0
28)Philadelphia Flyers 1-3-0
29)Boston Bruins 1-3-1
30)Phoenix Coyotes 1-4-0

I prefer the one of RDS.ca

montreal are 7...still undefeated except in shootout

Huet sucks in shootouts. :sad:

I still like the dude though !

I found this (http://www.tvunetworks.com/) tv player. Channel 10025 is NHL Center Ice for free! I'm watching the Devils-Rangers game as I type this. There's also other channels available like Comedy Central, The Cartoon Network and Al Jazeera! Check it out!

Meh, shootouts themselves suck.

Why not just flip a coin?

I found this (http://www.tvunetworks.com/) tv player. Channel 10025 is NHL Center Ice for free! I'm watching the Devils-Rangers game as I type this. There's also other channels available like Comedy Central, The Cartoon Network and Al Jazeera! Check it out!

Wow really? What game is Al Jazeera showing right now?

Why not just flip a coin?

Cuz Toronto would win more often :p

I'd like to see Aebisher get the lion's share of the work. Or even better--the Ed Belfour (pre-lockout Ed Belfour) share of the games...

Cuz Toronto would win more often :p

Then in that case, we should make every game end in a shootout :mischief:

Scores for Monday, October 16, 2006

New Jersey 2 @ NY Rangers 4
Carolina 5 @ Tampa Bay 1
Nashville 2 @ NY Islanders 1 (SO)
Chicago 5 @ Colorado 3
Edmonton 1 @ Vancouver 2
Detroit 3 @ Los Angeles 1

Meh, shootouts themselves suck.

Why not just flip a coin?

I enjoy the 4 on 4 overtimes, they are usually pretty exciting :cool: - a little
more time might be nice. Shootouts leave too much to luck for my taste, but
ANYTHING is better than a tie to me no matter what sport.

Why does everybody hate ties so much? Has Hollywood infiltrated the sport so deeply that people can't be satisifed with a well played game?

Any love for the 3 point game regulation victory, 2 point game overtime/shootout victory and 1 point game overtime/shootout loss?

My garage team won on the shootout yesterday. Can't say it feels all that great.

Any love for the 3 point game regulation victory, 2 point game overtime/shootout victory and 1 point game overtime/shootout loss?

My garage team won on the shootout yesterday. Can't say it feels all that great.

That has some sense, but I would really go for 10 ~ 15 mins overtime 4 on 4
And a shootout after that !

I found this (http://www.tvunetworks.com/) tv player. Channel 10025 is NHL Center Ice for free! I'm watching the Devils-Rangers game as I type this. There's also other channels available like Comedy Central, The Cartoon Network and Al Jazeera! Check it out!
Maybe I'm the only one without cable, wich explains why I'm so excited about this. Anyway, they're showing the Habs-Flames game tonight, for free, on your computer. In case I'm not the only broke ass around here.

Will the Habs-Flames game be on either TSN or Sportsnet tonight? I don't see anything on either site mentioning if it will be.

Will the Habs-Flames game be on either TSN or Sportsnet tonight? I don't see anything on either site mentioning if it will be.

On TSN here in the east they are showing the Buffalo - Philadelphia game.

RDS is showing the Habs game

Sportsnet East is showing : United Strongman Series.

I don't know for you westerners though ! :)

Sportsnet West has Oilers-Canucks. It would appear that TSN is showing Buffalo-Philadelphia across the entire network. Seriously TSN, why would you show two American teams on a night when there are two games each with two Canadian teams playing?

Any love for the 3 point game regulation victory, 2 point game overtime/shootout victory and 1 point game overtime/shootout loss?

I think this idea makes a lot of sense. It is not fair to have some games be worth 2 points and others be worth 3.

Overtime should be longer too, five minutes isn't enough.

Russian Superleague team Yaroslavl has filed a lawsuit against the Flames, Oilers, and NHL over the signing of Russian prospects by NHL teams. Magnitigorsk expected to do the same regarding Malkin.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=181050&hubname=nhl

Anyone else watching the Habs-Flames game? How atrocious is the officiating? Ri-di-cu-lous.

that referree needs a suspension just like regehr...

I took a nap, so I didn't see the game. :p

Even though it wasn't even on here. :mischief:

Here's a question. How does Daniel Briere get a -1 in a game where his team wins 9-1? :lol:

Scores for Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Philadelphia 1 @ Buffalo 9
Calgary 4 @ Montreal 5
Phoenix 5 @ St. Louis 2
Vancouver 1 @ Edmonton 2
Dallas 0 @ San Jose 2

TSN Player Rankings for October 17, 2006

1)Martin Havlat - Chicago Blackhawks - 112.65
2)Chris Drury - Buffalo Sabres - 102.57
3)Brendan Shanahan - New York Rangers - 102.48
4)Marty Turco - Dallas Stars - 100.07
5)Mike Dunham - New York Islanders - 99.97 :crazyeye:
6)Alexander Semin - Washington Capitals - 98.45
7)Kari Lehtonen - Atlanta Thrashers - 98.10
8)Brian Gionta - New Jersey Devils - 95.50
9)Brian Rolston - Minnesota Wild - 95.40
10)Ray Emery - Ottawa Senators - 94.20
11)Petr Sykora - Edmonton Oilers - 92.85
12)Ryan Smyth - Edmonton Oilers - 92.35
13)Manny Fernandez - Minnesota Wild - 92.13
14)Rick Nash - Columbus Blue Jackets - 92.95
15)Brendan Morrow - Dallas Stars - 91.48
16)Jaromir Jagr - New York Rangers - 91.07
17)Mats Sundin - Toronto Maple Leafs - 91.02
18)Mathieu Schneider - Detroit Red Wings - 91.01
19)Jonathon Cheechoo - San Jose Sharks - 90.77
20)Andrew Raycroft - Toronto Maple Leafs - 90.27

Could somebody PLEASE stop Buffalo? They're annoying me.

The question is, can they be stopped? :scared:

And How the Hell does Jochen Hecht get no points and end up a -1 in a 9-1 rout of the Flyers? Needless to say I cut him from my Hockey pool, so he should start lighting the lamp like there's no tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Leafs get two goals disallowed in the second, now they trail by 2. Again, WTF?

Caps win 5-2, they were up 5-1 after the 1st period.

The habs lost.

Was nice to see the habs play chicago though.

The habs lost.

Was nice to see the habs play chicago though.

I hate the new system where you play like 12 games against each team of your division one one game vs each of the other conference...it really sucks...

sure the players travel less but heck they are earning millions andI would like to see the oilers, canucks and chicago more often rather than the bruins!

Scores for Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Nashville 3 @ NY Rangers 0
Florida 2 @ Washington 5
New Jersey 2 @ Pittsburgh 1
Colorado 4 @ Toronto 1
Montreal 1 @ Chicago 2
Detroit 1 @ Anaheim 4
Minnesota 2 @ Los Angeles 1 (OT)

The Wild played like crap tonight. The Kings controlled play for almost the entire game. If it hadn't been for Fernandez it could have been an ugly blowout.

Caps win 5-2, they were up 5-1 after the 1st period.

So... they played like crap for two periods. :mischief:

Philly lost again. How long before Hitchcock and Clark are fired?

Also I don't think that Peter Foresberg was a good choice for a captain...

And additionally, Forsberg might be injured again. :crazyeye:

Washington 3 @ Atlanta 4 (SO)
Calgary 2 @ Boston 3
Nashville 4 @ New Jersey 3 (SO)
Pittsburgh 4 @ NY Islanders 3 (OT)
Colorado 2 @ Ottawa 1
Philadelphia 1 @ Tampa Bay 4
Los Angeles 4 @ Phoenix 0
Detroit 1 @ San Jose 5

The Leafs have scored their second regulation victory this year with a 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. 10 points in 8 games is not bad, and the Playoffs are not out of the Question for the Leafs.

I wish I could say the same for Ottawa... :vomit:

Scores for Friday, October 20, 2006

Toronto 4 @ Columbus 2
Philadelphia 2 @ Florida 3
Carolina 4 @ Buffalo 5
Vancouver 3 @ St. Louis 2 (OT)
Chicago 4 @ Dallas 5
Minnesota 1 @ Anaheim 2

The Leafs have scored their second regulation victory this year with a 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. 10 points in 8 games is not bad, and the Playoffs are not out of the Question for the Leafs.

Give 'em time... :(

What's up with Ottawa? If something doesn't change there soon there could be a serious shakeup, and Alfredsson may want to move.

Of course, I thought Sundin would have bailed on us this summer, still surprised he didn't.

Martin Havlat may be injured (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=181405&hubname=nhl)

Scores for Saturday, October 21, 2006

Florida 2 @ Atlanta 4
Buffalo 6 @ Boston 2
Colorado 5 @ Montreal 8
Carolina 3 @ NY Islanders 4 (SO)
New Jersey 1 @ Ottawa 8 :yeah:
NY Rangers 5 @ Toronto 4 (SO)
Tampa Bay 6 @ Washington 4
Columbus 3 @ Pittsburgh 5
Vancouver 4 @ Nashville 3 (OT)
St. Louis 4 @ Chicago 3
Detroit 1 @ Edmonton 3
Dallas 4 @ Phoenix 0
Minnesota 4 @ San Jose 1

It's about goddam time, tabarnak. Still, until we win one with Gerber in front of the net, I will remain sceptical.

Hitchcock fired, Clarke steps down. :run:

Link (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=181589&hubname=nhl)

about time too. The Philly faithful must be ecstatic to see one of the worst GMs in history go. Now, let us get rid of Muckler and I'll be pretty ecstatic too.

Ethan Moreau out with injury (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=181603&hubname=nhl)
Michal Handzus could be out for season (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=181633&hubName=nhl)

Looks like Chicago is now screwed. Lost Havlat and Handzus.

about time too. The Philly faithful must be ecstatic to see one of the worst GMs in history go. Now, let us get rid of Muckler and I'll be pretty ecstatic too.

Be careful what you wish for. They could fire Muckler and then replace him with Clarke. :p

Score for Sunday, October 22, 2006

Anaheim 3 @ Los Angeles 2 (SO)

Be careful what you wish for. They could fire Muckler and then replace him with Clarke. :p

Meh, Clarke should retire. Probably one of the most overrated players and managers the game has ever seen.

Congrats to the Sens for coming back with a bang!

TSN Power Rankings for October 23, 2006

1)Buffalo Sabres 8-0-0
2)Dallas Stars 7-1-0
3)Anaheim Ducks 6-0-2
4)San Jose Sharks 6-2-0
5)Minnesota Wild 7-1-0
6)Edmonton Oilers 5-2-0
7)Montreal Canadiens 4-1-2
8)Atlanta Thrashers 6-1-1
9)Vancouver Canucks 5-3-1
10)Nashville Predators 4-3-1
11)Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3-0
12)Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2-3
13)Ottawa Senators 3-4-0
14)Tampa Bay Lightning 4-4-0
15)Washington Capitals 2-2-3
16)New Jersey Devils 4-3-1
17)Los Angeles Kings 3-4-2
18)Florida Panthers 4-4-1
19)Detroit Red Wings 3-4-1
20)Carolina Hurricanes 3-4-2
21)New York Islanders 3-3-2
22)New York Rangers 4-4-0
23)Colorado Avalanche 3-3-2
24)Columbus Blue Jackets 2-3-1
25)Calgary Flames 2-4-1
26)Chicago Blackhawks 4-4-0
27)St. Louis Blues 3-3-2
28)Boston Bruins 2-4-1
29)Philadelphia Flyers 1-6-1
30)Phoenix Coyotes 2-6-0

about time too. The Philly faithful must be ecstatic to see one of the worst GMs in history go. Now, let us get rid of Muckler and I'll be pretty ecstatic too.

even me being a 12 years old at the time understood that since Hextall (huumph even there) Philadelphia never had a number one goaltender. Each year Clark was signing old players and worthless power foward. So I thought he would have understand this summer and would have traded to get Nabokov or toskala or Aebischer...no. Now that philly cannot have the third highest salary pay in the NHL, they are screwed.

Buffalo is now 9-0. :scared:

What is the record for most wins to start a season?

10 by the Leafs in 1993-1994

And it appears that there next game is against the Islanders. I'd say they have a very good chance of tying that record :p

Scores for Monday, October 23, 2006

San Jose 3 @ Columbus 0
Buffalo 4 @ Montreal 1
Atlanta 6 @ Florida 3
Los Angeles 1 @ Colorado 6
Vancouver 1 @ Dallas 2
Phoenix 2 @ Edmonton 5

Hitchcock lost the room, and Clark was putting the wrong guys in the room to begin with. They're stuck with an overpayed, underachieving roster until the Deadline when someone might take one or two of those guys. Philly may even have to mortgage their future to ditch their present...

Bryan Murray and John Muckler are next--especially if the Leafs take two from the Sens this week!

I hope we fire Muckler even if we rout the Leafs twice.

You know what this league needs? More Lou Lamoriellos and Sam Pollocks, and fewer John Mucklers and Rejean Houles.

please dont talk like that about Rejean Houle!

Hes a loveable guy! :p

Side-note : I hate it when the habs loose.

The Sabers are playing with 6 goalies on the ice ! :eek:

Ottawa is beating Toronto 5-0 in the second. :yeah:

Looks like the Sens may have finally found their form :banana:

Ouch. 67890

Scores for Tuesday, October 24, 2006

New Jersey 2 @ Pittsburgh 4
Ottawa 6 @ Toronto 2
Phoenix 1 @ Calgary 6

Agh! We got bloody hammered last night! The Leafs had better pick it up if we're going to return the favour tomorrow night.

Agh! We got bloody hammered last night! The Leafs had better pick it up if we're going to return the favour tomorrow night.

That 6-2 game is a result of?

The Senators picking-up their game.

or

The Leafs sucking?

Did you guys know that tickets to a Leafs game in Ottawa are more expensive than tickets to non-Leafs games? What is up with that? Do the Canadiens also do that for the Leafs? Or the ACC when Montreal comes to town?

On the one hand, it explains why the Corel Centre Place Banque Scotia wasn't sold out the last time the Leafs came to Ottawa. That blows. On the other hand, there are so many Leafs fans in Ottawa that a sizeable increase in revenues in the Senators coffers can be attributed to them.

Weird.

Also, why exactly is kicking a puck in the net not considered a legitimate way to score? It seems pointless to me. Short of high-sticking the puck in, actually throwing it a the goaltender, or putting it in by running into the goalie, everything other reasonable goal should count.

I think it's a stupid rule.

That 6-2 game is a result of?

The Senators picking-up their game.

or

The Leafs sucking?
I think the Leafs had an off-night. They will be more dangerous in Ottawa tomorrow. But the Sens have picked up their game. If they had played like that in Montreal, there is no way you guys would have walked out of Les 3 brasseurs with a smile on your face.... :p

10 by the Leafs in 1993-1994

oh Felix love of my childhood!

Did you guys know that tickets to a Leafs game in Ottawa are more expensive than tickets to non-Leafs games? What is up with that? Do the Canadiens also do that for the Leafs? Or the ACC when Montreal comes to town?

On the one hand, it explains why the Corel Centre Place Banque Scotia wasn't sold out the last time the Leafs came to Ottawa. That blows. On the other hand, there are so many Leafs fans in Ottawa that a sizeable increase in revenues in the Senators coffers can be attributed to them.

Weird.

Never heard of the laws of supply and demand? :p Three cities in close proximity with intense rivalries, more people are going to want to go, both locals and supporters of the visiting team making the trip to cheer the team on. Any game between any two of Toronto-Montreal-Ottawa is a guaranteed sellout, why not make more money?

On the other hand, who in Ottawa is just dying to go watch them take on the Mighty Ducks or the San Wherever Somethings?

Also, why exactly is kicking a puck in the net not considered a legitimate way to score? It seems pointless to me. Short of high-sticking the puck in, actually throwing it a the goaltender, or putting it in by running into the goalie, everything other reasonable goal should count.

I think it's a stupid rule.

I think it's a good rule, it is a game based on one's skill with the stick. Sure you can use other appendages in mid play, but think to count a goal the stick and only the stick should be the mode of operation.

Of course, in the case of scrambles in front of the net, legally allowing kicked in goals will likely result in a bunch of offensive players kicking away at it rather than using their sticks, and that could result in a nasty injury to any player who might be down in the midst of the ruckus.

Of course, in the case of scrambles in front of the net, legally allowing kicked in goals will likely result in a bunch of offensive players kicking away at it rather than using their sticks, and that could result in a nasty injury to any player who might be down in the midst of the ruckus.

Two words. Clint Malarchuk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clint_Malarc