NHL Thread

[Tony]

GP W L OT PTS GF GA Home Away Streak
1. San Jose 28 18 6 4 40 96 75 7-1-2 11-5-2 Won 2
2. Washington 26 15 5 6 36 91 76 8-2-3 7-3-3 Won 2
3. Pittsburgh 27 18 9 0 36 87 75 9-4-0 9-5-0 Won 1
4. New Jersey 24 17 6 1 35 69 51 7-4-0 10-2-1 Won 3
5. Calgary 25 16 6 3 35 78 66 7-5-0 9-1-3 Won 3
6. Chicago 25 16 6 3 35 78 56 10-2-1 6-4-2 Lost 2
7. Colorado 27 14 8 5 33 82 83 7-2-2 7-6-3 Lost 3
8. Los Angeles 27 15 10 2 32 79 81 6-4-1 9-6-1 Won 1
9. Nashville 25 15 9 1 31 62 64 9-4-0 6-5-1 Won 1
10. Boston 26 13 8 5 31 64 64 7-5-3 6-3-2 Won 1
11. Dallas 26 12 7 7 31 79 77 6-3-4 6-4-3 Won 1
12. Phoenix 27 15 11 1 31 68 65 8-5-0 7-6-1 Won 2
13. Buffalo 23 14 7 2 30 63 55 8-3-2 6-4-0 Won 2
14. Ottawa 24 13 7 4 30 72 70 10-3-3 3-4-1 Lost 1
15. Atlanta 23 13 7 3 29 80 65 5-5-2 8-2-1 Won 3
16. Tampa Bay 24 10 6 8 28 67 72 6-1-4 4-5-4 Lost 1
17. Columbus 25 12 9 4 28 76 90 6-2-3 6-7-1 Lost 5
18. Detroit 25 12 9 4 28 72 72 7-4-2 5-5-2 Won 1
19. Vancouver 26 14 12 0 28 80 68 10-4-0 4-8-0 Lost 1
20. Philadelphia 24 13 10 1 27 77 65 8-4-1 5-6-0 Lost 2
21. NY Rangers 26 13 12 1 27 78 79 7-5-0 6-7-1 Lost 2
22. NY Islanders 27 10 10 7 27 72 84 6-3-2 4-7-5 Lost 1
23. Montreal 26 12 12 2 26 66 76 7-5-2 5-7-0 Lost 2
24. St. Louis 24 10 9 5 25 60 62 5-8-2 5-1-3 Lost 1
25. Anaheim 25 10 11 4 24 71 80 8-7-1 2-4-3 Lost 1
26. Florida 25 10 11 4 24 68 83 3-6-3 7-5-1 Lost 4
27. Edmonton 27 10 13 4 24 80 90 8-5-2 2-8-2 Lost 3
28. Minnesota 25 10 12 3 23 63 75 7-3-1 3-9-2 Won 2
29. Toronto 24 6 11 7 19 67 89 2-6-3 4-5-4 Won 2
30. Carolina 26 5 16 5 15 60 97 5-6-2 0-10-3 Lost 4

:-P

[Greig]

Pretty grim, will still make the playoffs :xmasbiggrin:

[Tony]

Might want to put that on your Christmas wishlist :-D

[Greig]

HABS aint much better :-D

[AP_]

Go Ducks Go...

Definitely playoff team and might be even Stanley-cup winner :xmasbiggrin:

[Tony]

Going to be a tough year for the Ducks too.... I think a certain person that shall remain nameless shot too many of them during hunting season :lol

[Tony]

HABS aint much better :-D


You weren't supposed to look that high :lol

[AP_]

Going to be a tough year for the Ducks too.... I think a certain person that shall remain nameless shot too many of them during hunting season :lol

I trust Saku Koivu. When he recovers his injury he will help Ducks and his second line (particularly Teemu) to be top shape again. Former HABS captain is still hard bone with his accurate passes which Teemu needs to score some goals to pass Jari Kurri's Finnish NHL goal record (601).

If Ducks bought Hagman (Leafs) then their second line will be perfect, first line is already of course :xmasbiggrin:

[Tony]

Koivu is still my favourite player.... was totally gutted when we didn't sign him back.... we seriously lack his leadership right now :(

[Greig]

Ducks suck :xmasbiggrin:

Go Leafs

[AP_]

Ducks suck :xmasbiggrin:

Go Leafs

They have very long way to GO :xmasbiggrin:

Ron Wilson (ex. Mighty Ducks coach) must be "miracleman" if we see Leafs in playoffs this season...

[AP_]

Koivu is still my favourite player.... was totally gutted when we didn't sign him back.... we seriously lack his leadership right now :(

Saku is/was "small man with big heart". Many doubt that he was too small to play NHL hockey but evidences are against those doubts for sure. He made fine career with HABS and was very proud of it always in Finnish interviews. Particularly of his long lasting Captain career.

178cm/85kg is too little thought ? Of course if the "towers" next to you are sizes 190-200cm/90-110kg. You have to be fast and clever to survive. And team must have good "polices" also...

[Nik_I]

leafs aren't going anywhere this year. i'm predicting a pittsburgh vs. chicago final with the hawks winning it in 6.

[Tifoso]

We play the Leafs tonight. Going for our third win against them this season :-D

[Tony]

Saku is/was "small man with big heart". Many doubt that he was too small to play NHL hockey but evidences are against those doubts for sure. He made fine career with HABS and was very proud of it always in Finnish interviews. Particularly of his long lasting Captain career.

178cm/85kg is too little thought ? Of course if the "towers" next to you are sizes 190-200cm/90-110kg. You have to be fast and clever to survive. And team must have good "polices" also...

It's really too bad what happened to Koivu in his rookie season.... he was leading the league in points and was destined for greatness until he blew out his knee.... was never able to turn as well after that.... then he had the cancer.... then he had the eye injury....

I wish he would have finished his career in Montreal.... he was the only player i have seen in my lifetime bleed the bleu, blanc, rouge of the Canadiens.... I really dislike our GM for not re-signing him....

Koivu is and forever will be my favourite hab of all time....

We play the Leafs tonight. Going for our third win against them this season :-D

:cheers

[Greig]

We play the Leafs tonight. Going for our third win against them this season :-D

ooops :xmasbiggrin:

[AP_]

It's really too bad what happened to Koivu in his rookie season.... he was leading the league in points and was destined for greatness until he blew out his knee.... was never able to turn as well after that....

That knee injury I didn't remember but you're right. 1996-97 season he missed 32 games because of that. And similar kind of injuries teased him afterwards and knee was operated sometime 2000-2001.

He still managed to do his best scoring season after the operation 2002-2003.

By the way who is the present HABS Captain?

[AP_]

ooops :xmasbiggrin:

Leafs-HABS 3-0 suprising...

Kings-Ducks 4-3 no way... :xmasbiggrin:

[Tony]

That knee injury I didn't remember but you're right. 1996-97 season he missed 32 games because of that. And similar kind of injuries teased him afterwards and knee was operated sometime 2000-2001.

He still managed to do his best scoring season after the operation 2002-2003.

By the way who is the present HABS Captain?

We don't have on this year, we have 3 Assistant Captains.... Gionta/Gomez/Camallerri.... this was done because we allowed 11 players from last years roster to go into unrestricted free agency.... we then signed 7 players as UFA's.... and traded for one other....

From last years 23 man roster we only have 13 players returning... of those 13 players 2 are goalies which can't be named captain.... of the remaining group, none of them were really fit to be captain except Markov and he refused it at the beginning of the year... which doesn't say much about him, but it wouldn't have mattered, he got injured the first game of the season and hasn't played a game since lol....

Wish we had last years team over this one's to be honest... :(

[AP_]

We don't have on this year, we have 3 Assistant Captains.... Gionta/Gomez/Camallerri.

I'm surprised that any of them isn't ready to take the "C"...

Isn't it biggest honour what you can achieve inside the team?

Or maybe pressure that comes with nomination is too much in a big hockey city like
Montreal where the press follows almost your every move? I think it is pretty much the same in Toronto too?

[Tony]

I'm sure the 3 of them would have loved to have the C, but the organization didn't feel it was right to give it to them since they were new to the team.... next year it will probably be either Gomez or Gionta taking the C :-)

There is a lot of pressure with accepting the C, Quebec is a political hotspot in Canada, in 95 we came to within half a percent of voting to separate from Canada (language issue, Quebec is French speaking, the rest of Canada speaks mainly only English).... they tend to be very traditional in their ways to put it politely.... so a lot of them were upset with Koivu because he never learned to speak French and basically started a crusade to get him out of Montreal.... they were not successful because the GM didn't care much for political issues and the owner was an American and didn't care about internal provincial issues either.... thankfully!!!

Toronto is also like Montreal, but without the political issues :-)

[AP_]

Thanks for backround info Tony :-)

So it was new owners then (Molson family led group) who finally decided to let Saku go.

If I look your current roster there seems to be quite a few players who actually speak French? And if new leader group is keen to have French speaking "C" (or are they) then they are in trouble...

3 of your "A" are from USA, 1 from Russia and only 1 from Canada (Ontario).

HABS -Bruins 5-1
Wild-Ducks 5-4 SO (Saku's "little" brother Mikko 2+1)

[Tony]

They are mainly ok with an English speaking Captain, but they want him to learn some French.... However rumours continue to mount that we are putting together a package deal to acquire Lecavalier.... who in my honest opinion is very overrated.... he has only been a point per game player twice in his career if I am not mistaken and has a cap hit of 7.7m a year until he turns 40 (the last 3-5 years of his career will definitely not be worth that cap hit).... For Koivu, it was very hard for him, he already spoke 2 languages and to learn a 3rd would have been very difficult.... he was not treated fairly at all in the end.... however it was mainly the French media that disliked him and not so much the fans.... A significant percentage of the fans loved the guy and with good reason....

It's unclear right now if Molson told our GM to let Koivu go, or if it was Gainey's idea.... the sale of the team was just finalized a few days ago with Gillett finally transferring the team to the Molson's....

One thing is for sure, we could have definitely used Koivu this year....

[AP_]

They are mainly ok with an English speaking Captain, but they want him to learn some French.... However rumours continue to mount that we are putting together a package deal to acquire Lecavalier.... who in my honest opinion is very overrated.... he has only been a point per game player twice in his career if I am not mistaken and has a cap hit of 7.7m a year until he turns 40 (the last 3-5 years of his career will definitely not be worth that cap hit).

First of all, congratulations 100-year old HABS :thumb

You beat Bruins in your jubilee game, great :-)

My thoughts about Lecavalier... He's your "own" boy from Quebec. Speak French as his native language I think? Big and strong center forward. Everything suits...

He is good scorer and creative playmaker but I don't know how his mental strength and attitude is? Do you think he wants to be HABS captain?

About your jubilee movie "Pour Toujours - les Canadiens!", is it out yet?
I like to see that one also. I'll have to wait DVD-release I'm afraid...

[Greig]

LeCavalier was my fav player, but we don't get NHL anymore on normal TV so aint seen it since before the strike season :-(

[Tony]

First of all, congratulations 100-year old HABS :thumb

You beat Bruins in your jubilee game, great :-)

My thoughts about Lecavalier... He's your "own" boy from Quebec. Speak French as his native language I think? Big and strong center forward. Everything suits...

He is good scorer and creative playmaker but I don't know how his mental strength and attitude is? Do you think he wants to be HABS captain?

About your jubilee movie "Pour Toujours - les Canadiens!", is it out yet?
I like to see that one also. I'll have to wait DVD-release I'm afraid...


Yeah it was a fantastic game, completely destroyed the Bruins.... good fun after losing 9 straight to them last year.... we're now 2-0 against them this year.... to be fair though, we won like 11 straight against them the year before lol so it balances out....

Yes Sir, Lecavalier is from Quebec.... they love him here even though he has only had 2 good seasons, has struggled the last 2 years and just started making $10m a year this year (not worth it if you ask me :xmasbiggrin:).... Sometimes I think the fans here would rather have a team full of local boys than a winning one :xmasmad:

Myself, I'm English, I speak and read French (writing is not the greatest and some would say neither is my spoken language lol).... so for me, I just want a team that wins lol....

The movie is out, haven't seen it yet, I think it's more about a boy that wants to be a hockey player and that idolizes the Canadiens more than it is about the Canadiens though so I'm probably not going to watch it? A really good movie about Maurice Richard came out a few years back but even that movie dealt more with the politics of hockey (English vs French) than with the hockey team itself....


LeCavalier was my fav player, but we don't get NHL anymore on normal TV so aint seen it since before the strike season :-(

There are a few sites that host online games for free.... I can find the link if you would like....

[AP_]

LeCavalier was my fav player, but we don't get NHL anymore on normal TV so aint seen it since before the strike season :-(

Same here Greig, even our own Finnish hockey league went to pay channel :-s

[AP_]

Yeah it was a fantastic game, completely destroyed the Bruins.... good fun after losing 9 straight to them last year.... we're now 2-0 against them this year.... to be fair though, we won like 11 straight against them the year before lol so it balances out....

Yes Sir, Lecavalier is from Quebec.... they love him here even though he has only had 2 good seasons, has struggled the last 2 years and just started making $10m a year this year (not worth it if you ask me :xmasbiggrin:).... Sometimes I think the fans here would rather have a team full of local boys than a winning one :xmasmad:

Myself, I'm English, I speak and read French (writing is not the greatest and some would say neither is my spoken language lol).... so for me, I just want a team that wins lol....

The movie is out, haven't seen it yet, I think it's more about a boy that wants to be a hockey player and that idolizes the Canadiens more than it is about the Canadiens though so I'm probably not going to watch it? A really good movie about Maurice Richard came out a few years back but even that movie dealt more with the politics of hockey (English vs French) than with the hockey team itself....

There are a few sites that host online games for free.... I can find the link if you would like....

And now you beat Senators 4-1 :thumb

Your position seems good, you just pass Lecavalier's Lightning...

Ducks-Stars 4-3, Saku was strong and made winnig score overtime, great.

I've read somewhere that Saku has almost lead role? If thats true I have to buy DVD-version when it come out... Hopefully with Finnish text or at least with English ones...

[Tony]

Yeah we won yesterday, it was a bit of a boring game though.... and we lost another defenceman....one defenceman the night before when we beat Philadelphia (Mara) and another one last night (Spacek).... plus we've played more games than the teams below us, I'm not sure how long we'll hold on to that last playoff spot :(

Good to hear that Koivu is heating up! hopefully he comes back to the Canadiens next year!

I heard he had a cameo in the film, but I thought he was only in it for a few clips? but again, I'm really not sure though....

I found this review on the film from a local newspaper:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Review+Pour+toujours+Canadiens/2299260/story.html

If you'd like, when the movie comes out on DVD I can send you a copy!

[AP_]

Yeah we won yesterday, it was a bit of a boring game though.... and we lost another defenceman....one defenceman the night before when we beat Philadelphia (Mara) and another one last night (Spacek).... plus we've played more games than the teams below us, I'm not sure how long we'll hold on to that last playoff spot :(

Good to hear that Koivu is heating up! hopefully he comes back to the Canadiens next year!

I heard he had a cameo in the film, but I thought he was only in it for a few clips? but again, I'm really not sure though....

I found this review on the film from a local newspaper:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Review+Pour+toujours+Canadiens/2299260/story.html

If you'd like, when the movie comes out on DVD I can send you a copy!

Your situation is still little better than Ducks or Leafs at the moment... Let's see how it develops.

OK, you're right Tony, Saku has only quite minor role in the film like it says in review but I still like to see it.
I'll send you e-mail when DVD comes out :-)

Leafs-Islanders 3-2, Leafs are starting to wake up :xmassmile:

Are you waiting Vancouver Olympic Games already? I'll have to stay up this time when time difference is so massive :xmassmile:

[Greig]

Go Leafs :-D

[Tony]

Your situation is still little better than Ducks or Leafs at the moment... Let's see how it develops.

OK, you're right Tony, Saku has only quite minor role in the film like it says in review but I still like to see it.
I'll send you e-mail when DVD comes out :-)

Leafs-Islanders 3-2, Leafs are starting to wake up :xmassmile:

Are you waiting Vancouver Olympic Games already? I'll have to stay up this time when time difference is so massive :xmassmile:


Sounds good, let me know :)

Yeah really looking forward to it! but i don't think Canada will do well.... even though our offence looks solid and our defence too, our goaltending may be an issue... Luongo and Brodeur are both having average seasons and that means Fleury might get a chance and that guy is known to have bad games.... not a very consistent goalie in my books.... How is Finland looking, I haven't followed much about the players they're putting together?

[AP_]

Sounds good, let me know :)

Yeah really looking forward to it! but i don't think Canada will do well.... even though our offence looks solid and our defence too, our goaltending may be an issue... Luongo and Brodeur are both having average seasons and that means Fleury might get a chance and that guy is known to have bad games.... not a very consistent goalie in my books.... How is Finland looking, I haven't followed much about the players they're putting together?

I think our team is almost opposite compared team Canada. Our golie department is our strongest part :-D

Kiprusoff, Backström and Rinne all have been in good shape, particularly Kipru. Toskala from Leafs dive so deep waters time to time that our GM Kurri might forget him...

Our defence is our Achilles heel. We have very narrow material there. Kimmo Timonen is our leading man and he's Flyers third or fourth defender. Salo is more or less injured and Joni Pitkänen is coming but not top shape yet. From Russias KHL league we might get Ossi Väänänen or Lasse Kukkonen. Also our "little big man" Petteri Nummelin (ex-Wild now Swiss Lugano) is one possible choice but lets see...

Forward side we have again narrow material. "Old men" Teemu Selänne, Saku Koivu, Jere Lehtinen, Ville Peltonen, Jarkko Ruutu etc. Basically our forward players are quite old men already, Mikko Koivu, Niklas Hagman and Tuomo Ruutu are younger and might even form our first field. If some of our key striker get injured before games we are on thin ice really...

I think team Finland might reach positions between 3-6. If hockey gods are merciful we might be even finals, who knows :-D

Team Canada positions between 1-3.

[Tony]

Thanks for the update!!!

We're almost there, only 7 or so weeks to go!!! can't wait!!!

But I still think Russia is too strong.... Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, Malkin.... WOW!

Edit: Brodeur is catching fire.... he's got a GAA in the low 2's now.... just in time for the olympics.... it's looking positive!

[AP_]

Thanks for the update!!!

We're almost there, only 7 or so weeks to go!!! can't wait!!!

But I still think Russia is too strong.... Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, Malkin.... WOW!

Edit: Brodeur is catching fire.... he's got a GAA in the low 2's now.... just in time for the olympics.... it's looking positive!

Yep, great games on the way, I agree :xmassmile:

I don't know about Russia, always strong on paper but many times "paper tiger" on ice.
Maybe it's their team chemistry or something but I don't put my coins behalf them (mistake perhaps :xmasbiggrin:). Their "stars" didn't play for the team like our ones at least try to do or is it just picture I got from some past WM tournaments which were disaster for them even they had best available team...

I think Canada, Czech, Russia, Sweden, USA and Finland play for medals. Slovakia and Switzerland could be there too if lucky...

[Tony]

Should be interesting! especially if Markov comes back for us and is healthy enough to play for Russia.... one of the top 5 defencemen in the league that can actually organize an attack.... I think goaltending may be their weakness.... I'm guessing Khabibulin is the guy they're going to.... but you're right, they never tend to live up to expectations....

In the meantime.... my habs are sucking and are only 2 points ahead of the leafs who have a game in hand :-E

[AP_]

Should be interesting! especially if Markov comes back for us and is healthy enough to play for Russia.... one of the top 5 defencemen in the league that can actually organize an attack.... I think goaltending may be their weakness.... I'm guessing Khabibulin is the guy they're going to.... but you're right, they never tend to live up to expectations....

In the meantime.... my habs are sucking and are only 2 points ahead of the leafs who have a game in hand :-E

Maybe I'm just little bitter against Russia because every time I have make a bet for them I have lost my money :-G

You get beaten by Sabres 3-4. Your situation is heaten up but it's nothing if you compared it Ducks situation. Last place on Western Conference and 8 points to catch up, wake up time I think :xmasconfused:

Leafs and their goalie Vesa Toskala take fine victory against Senators. Maybe Toskala tries to give some last minutes proofs to our GM for Vancouver :xmasbiggrin:

[Tony]

Gotta go with the Kipper, Toskala maybe as the backup...

The thing with us is that we have been bad for the last 16 years.... bad management, bad players, bad everything lol....

Maybe Santa can bring us a cup one of these years :xmasbiggrin:

[AP_]

Gotta go with the Kipper, Toskala maybe as the backup...

The thing with us is that we have been bad for the last 16 years.... bad management, bad players, bad everything lol....

Maybe Santa can bring us a cup one of these years :xmasbiggrin:

Let's see, Kipru put threat out some time ago : If he's not no.1 then he will not come...
Afterwards our GM soften that statement and said Kipru will come even if he's no.2. Intresting to see what happens :-E

I think you mean now HABS not team Canada?
Was it 1993 when HABS last time won Stanley cup?
Carbonneau was captain and Roy was no. 1 goalie if I remember correctly?

[Tony]

I think it's too soon to go with Rinne or Backstrom as number 1 though no?

Yeah, referring to the Habs, they've been bad for quite some time now :(

That's correct, we last won in 1993 with Carbonneau as Captain and Roy as our number 1.... we won 10 overtime games that playoff year.... each game was close, I was only 14 at the time, but I think I nearly had 10 heart attacks!!! It's been too long since we won :xmasfrown:

[AP_]

I think it's too soon to go with Rinne or Backstrom as number 1 though no?

Yeah, referring to the Habs, they've been bad for quite some time now :(

That's correct, we last won in 1993 with Carbonneau as Captain and Roy as our number 1.... we won 10 overtime games that playoff year.... each game was close, I was only 14 at the time, but I think I nearly had 10 heart attacks!!! It's been too long since we won :xmasfrown:

Yep, Rinne isn't experienced enough (first game for team Finland in this years April).
Backström is (silver medal 2006) but I rather take Kipru as no.1 than him or Toskala.

I remember somehow that 1993 finals because Kurri and Gretzky played for Kings and I was supporting them then :xmasbiggrin:

HABS won 4-1 so it was quite clear finals then.

[Tony]

Yeah the finals weren't that close, but within our conference it was a real nightmare.... every game we played prior to that was a life or death struggle lol.... but we got lucky.... after we beat the nordiques, which were a really good team that year, either the islander or sabres (can't remember) knocked out Mario Lemieux's penguins, or we would not have made it past them lol....

[AP_]

Team Finland is starting to be ready for Vancouver games. We won Moscow's Euro Hockey tour tournament and we are now second after Russia in tournaments total scores...

Beware Tony and Team Canada :xmasbiggrin:

Merry Christmas to you Tony also :xmassmile:

[AP_]

And Merry Christmas Leafs and Greig too :xmassmile:

[Tony]

Team Finland is starting to be ready for Vancouver games. We won Moscow's Euro Hockey tour tournament and we are now second after Russia in tournaments total scores...

Beware Tony and Team Canada :xmasbiggrin:

Merry Christmas to you Tony also :xmassmile:

Wow nice! well done! hopefully the olympics will be interesting and will have lots of close fun games to watch!

Our Junior team beat Latvia 16-0 a couple of days ago, hopefully that tournament gets a little more interesting too!

A belated Merry Christmas to you too my friend! All the best in 2010 as well :cheers

[AP_]

Wow nice! well done! hopefully the olympics will be interesting and will have lots of close fun games to watch!

Our Junior team beat Latvia 16-0 a couple of days ago, hopefully that tournament gets a little more interesting too!

A belated Merry Christmas to you too my friend! All the best in 2010 as well :cheers

Thanx Tony and good/happy 2010 to you also :-)

I have spend almost three weeks now in our eastern Lapland in military reserve training. Very hard time to spend outside when temperature was almost all the time below -30 celsius degrees :-(
Living in tent in those temperatures was very "challenging" you can imagine! But thats the price you have to pay when you get reserve officer rank in our armed forces...

Team USA take the golden prize then beating your boys 6-5. Our boys were "frozen" more or less and if they are our future it didn't seem so good at all...

What are your thoughts about team Canada's team which was chosen in Vancouver games?

[Tony]

-30! Ouch, I know what that feels like and having to sleep in a tent in that weather must have felt like being locked inside a fridge with just a tshirt on :(

Well at least that part of the training is over!

Yeah we lost a close game in junior hockey, it was a really amazing game to watch! The US had the better team at the end and deserved to win!

Regarding the Olympics, not so sure what's going to happen, I'm not too confident with the players we selected... I mean it's hard to match guys like Thornton, Marleau, Heatley, Iginla, Crosby, Nash, etc... but I just don't feel very confident.... we will have Brodeur in nets, who's on fire now irrespective of what I was saying about him in prior posts.... but I'm not sure, I just feel that there's something missing and I just can't explain what.... it doesn't help either that our defence is relatively unproven.... should be interesting, but I could easily see this tournament being won by a dark hourse conuntry....

[AP_]

-30! Ouch, I know what that feels like and having to sleep in a tent in that weather must have felt like being locked inside a fridge with just a tshirt on :(

Well at least that part of the training is over!

Yeah we lost a close game in junior hockey, it was a really amazing game to watch! The US had the better team at the end and deserved to win!

Regarding the Olympics, not so sure what's going to happen, I'm not too confident with the players we selected... I mean it's hard to match guys like Thornton, Marleau, Heatley, Iginla, Crosby, Nash, etc... but I just don't feel very confident.... we will have Brodeur in nets, who's on fire now irrespective of what I was saying about him in prior posts.... but I'm not sure, I just feel that there's something missing and I just can't explain what.... it doesn't help either that our defence is relatively unproven.... should be interesting, but I could easily see this tournament being won by a dark hourse conuntry....

I'm already back to my civil job. That Lapland experience makes everything seems so easy in "normal life" :-)

Your roster is very intresting but of course it's not really "final" because you can replace players up until 24 hours before tournament begins if I'm right?
My personal favorites are Staal, Perry, Getzlaf and Nash and defence side "suprisingly" Niedermayer from Ducks :-)
Your country's overall roster is so wide that it makes Yzermans picking work "positively" difficult I think.

We don't have that same positive problem here. Teemu Selänne and Saku Koivu both are already injured and no certain information out yet are they able to play in Vancouver games.
Our team includes only five players outside NHL, four from KHL and one from Elitserien (Sweden). If Teemu and Saku cannot play in the games then their replacements are still unknown.
Only one name has been in discussion, Jussi Jokinen from Hurricanes. Our first game is against Belarus 17th february, I'm already little impatient... :-)

Your HABS are still right side of the line in eastern conference. Flyers and Islanders are near though. Better situation still than Ducks or Leafs :-)

[Tony]

Damn I didn't know Saku was injured? Teemu has a broken jaw but if he wears a full face mask he should be ok to play? Unless the team doesn't release him?

The funny thing about the roster is that when it's announced it's supposed to be final apart from injuries.... that was our interpretation of the rules and the US agreed.... but when Russia announced their line up they said it was tentative.... Last I heard Canada and the US complained but the IIHF seemed to have agreed with Russia, so I am not sure what is going on but it looks like we can still change our line up leading up to the games....

My Habs are terrible again :( they just lost 2 straight and I'm starting to get annoyed with both of our goalies.... wish we could trade them both to be honest!

Maybe now would be a good time for the Ducks and the Habs to make a trade! we'll take Getzlaf and the ducks can have Plekanec :-D

[AP_]

Damn I didn't know Saku was injured? Teemu has a broken jaw but if he wears a full face mask he should be ok to play? Unless the team doesn't release him?

The funny thing about the roster is that when it's announced it's supposed to be final apart from injuries.... that was our interpretation of the rules and the US agreed.... but when Russia announced their line up they said it was tentative.... Last I heard Canada and the US complained but the IIHF seemed to have agreed with Russia, so I am not sure what is going on but it looks like we can still change our line up leading up to the games....

My Habs are terrible again :( they just lost 2 straight and I'm starting to get annoyed with both of our goalies.... wish we could trade them both to be honest!

Maybe now would be a good time for the Ducks and the Habs to make a trade! we'll take Getzlaf and the ducks can have Plekanec :-D

Saku's knee injury isn't so bad what they first afraid. Luckily it takes "only" two weeks him to recover. Teemu's situation is worse but there is still a chance that he can play in the games. You are definitely right, he must use full mask (i'm afraid) if he likes to play.

I think too that statement of line ups is "only" tentative. And how can it be something else because players keep injuring themselves all the time...
So maybe that 24 hours "rule" is necessary really? Same 24 hours rule was mentioned also in finn media so maybe our team reads the rules same way than Russians did/do...

You are still better situation than Ducks even you have less points now...
Hopefully Getzlaf is not for sale, otherwise Ducks can wave goodbye for the finals. But if they didn't get there and know it in time so who knows :-D

[Tony]

Should be interesting to see.... but on our part, I think our roster is pretty much done, we did an official presentation just a few weeks ago and I think it's done barring injuries.... I just hope Brodeur is going to be 100% for the olympics and doesn't start to get tired!

It wont be long before most teams have more points than us lol.... it's been another disaster of a season for us.... I can't wait for the new owners to fire the GM!

[AP_]

Our small roster is even "smaller" again when Flyers defence man Timonen injured yesterday in a game against Capitals. Let's hope he get well before the games
because he is our leading defence player.

If things continues to go this way our team consist of finally our own national series players (SM-liiga) :-E

Gainey is your GM and he is old HABS player if I'm correct? And he has been your GM already many years.
Is his stool swinging after so many years without success? Is there some opposition against him from owners/fan side?

[Greig]

Shocking!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aplfhPu4iiU

[vagos]

jesus christ!!!

[AP_]

Really ugly elbow hit. Purposefully made and in a junior game :-s

[Greig]

Yeah really was shocked when I seen that such a cheap shot, maybe Tony will know about the guys condition, did mention brain trauma in the article I read, hopefully that guy gets a ban, life ban maybe? Hope the player fully recovers.

[AP_]

Good start for Team Canada. In the first round they were little frozen but when first goal came then it was there :thumb

[Greig]

USA beat Canada :-E

[vagos]

well sweden will win the gold i believe .........hehehehe

[AP_]

well sweden will win the gold i believe .........hehehehe

We lose intentionally...

Swedish press knows always the truth :-D

[AP_]

Sweden -> Going home

Finland - Going for gold :-)

[vagos]

oops heheh good for finland, i will support you :-). I am from Greece so i am not that involved in hockey but i must admit i will soon go for some malmo red hawks game it is something i want ot do long time .......

[Greig]

Finland no longer going for gold, thrashed by the USA :-E

[Tifoso]

Finland no longer going for gold, thrashed by the USA :-E

Hockey?

Our team is undefeated. Who'da thunk it? :lou

[AP_]

Finland no longer going for gold, thrashed by the USA :-E

Yep, luckily we took bronze :-)

Team USA were far too tough, fast and also young for our "senior team"... Real future team,
most of the players under 25 years old :thumb

Slovakia was hard and very good team also, gave really hard times for us and Team Canada too :thumb

But Russia were big disappointment once again when all the best available players were present...

[AP_]

Hockey?

Our team is undefeated. Who'da thunk it? :lou

Tough final tonight. Canada-USA.

Hard to say which one wins :-)

[Greig]

Well done Canada, good game :-)

[Tony]

Our small roster is even "smaller" again when Flyers defence man Timonen injured yesterday in a game against Capitals. Let's hope he get well before the games
because he is our leading defence player.

If things continues to go this way our team consist of finally our own national series players (SM-liiga) :-E

Gainey is your GM and he is old HABS player if I'm correct? And he has been your GM already many years.
Is his stool swinging after so many years without success? Is there some opposition against him from owners/fan side?

Gainey is now gone! Unfortunately, he was replaced by his assistant GM, so things wont be any better lol!


Yeah really was shocked when I seen that such a cheap shot, maybe Tony will know about the guys condition, did mention brain trauma in the article I read, hopefully that guy gets a ban, life ban maybe? Hope the player fully recovers.

Haven't heard anthing about him unfortunately apart from the fact that he doesn't remember the hit and is looking forward to getting back to the game.... but the sad part is the guy that hit him, was Canada's captain at the world junior hockey championships this past january.... he was suspended for the rest of the year, but it was his last year of eligibility for juniors.... next year, he will be either in the AHL or the NHL....

This one was worse in my opinion however:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lflguc3ZJcM&feature=related

As for the gold medal game, happy that Canada won, but hats off to the US, they played an amazing game and had the best goalie in the tournament.... they played a really fast paced and exciting game and it could have gone either way!

Glad we won it because it gives us the record in gold medals for an olympic tournament with 14, surpassing USSR's record....

[AP_]

Congrats to Team Canada, it was a great final match. Team USA really made the game big and they were the biggest suprise of the games :-)

If Team USA could keep their pack together they will be the favorite in Sochi games 2014...

[Tony]

Agreed.... the US has a very young team with a lot of talent.... if Miller can still be as good in 4 years as he is now, the US will be a definite favourite for 2014!

[AP_]

Gainey is now gone! Unfortunately, he was replaced by his assistant GM, so things wont be any better lol!

Do you mean Pierre Gauthier Tony? Isn't he Montreals own boy?

All in all HABS are still right side of the PO line. Will be tough 20 games left :-)

[Tony]

Yeah that's him the Ducks and Senators former GM that has been our assistant for the last 5-6 years.... Gainey is still there in an advisory role so at the end of the day, they simply kept the same braintrust there.....

Don't think we'll make the playoffs.... most of the teams behind us have several games in hand over us and will likely pass us.... it really stinks to be a habs fan these days....

[AP_]

Yeah that's him the Ducks and Senators former GM that has been our assistant for the last 5-6 years.... Gainey is still there in an advisory role so at the end of the day, they simply kept the same braintrust there.....

Don't think we'll make the playoffs.... most of the teams behind us have several games in hand over us and will likely pass us.... it really stinks to be a habs fan these days....

OK, now I understand your frustration about your GM Tony, Gauthier get fired from Mighty Ducks 2002 when team failed to make playoffs for the third straight season.

Don't get so negative view Tony, I'm sure that HABS will be in the PO:s and I even think that Ducks will be too because they have two of my favourite players :thumb
Toronto will be out for sure :-D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWL6dhBEw-Q

[Tony]

Man i miss Koivu :-( I wish we would have gotten him back before trade deadline Wednesday :-(

Oh well, we lost to the Sharks and are now out of the playoffs with 16 games to go.... bah, I give up :-(

[Tifoso]

I stayed up until 10:30 (way past my bedtime), only to watch them cough it up in the last minutes :-(

[Greig]

Man i miss Koivu :-( I wish we would have gotten him back before trade deadline Wednesday :-(

Oh well, we lost to the Sharks and are now out of the playoffs with 16 games to go.... bah, I give up :-(

HABS suck :-D

[Tifoso]

HABS suck :-D

Leafs are so bad they are already out of next year's playoffs :lou

[Greig]

:lol

[Tony]

Leafs are so bad they are already out of next year's playoffs :lou

:rotfl:rotfl:rotfl:rotfl:rotfl


I stayed up until 10:30 (way past my bedtime), only to watch them cough it up in the last minutes :-(

:-( I stayed up until 1am and am seriously disappointed :-s

Were they broadcasting it on tv in your area or did you watch it on streaming?

[Tifoso]

I found it on a Comcast freebie trial in the upper 600's on DirectTV

We were pretty lucky, really. SJ hit the poles twice, I believe

[Greig]

Go Sharks :-D

[Tifoso]

Go Sharks :-D

:lol:lol:lol

[Tony]

I found it on a Comcast freebie trial in the upper 600's on DirectTV

We were pretty lucky, really. SJ hit the poles twice, I believe

I think they hit 4 or 5 posts in the whole game.... they hit two within 3 seconds in the third :-s

[AP_]

Man i miss Koivu :-( I wish we would have gotten him back before trade deadline Wednesday :-(

Oh well, we lost to the Sharks and are now out of the playoffs with 16 games to go.... bah, I give up :-(

Nah, real fan never give up, remember Kimi and last race 2007...

Have to admit that I was already give in :-D but luckily Scuderia and Kimi were not :-)

[Tony]

True, but in this case, the habs are just such a bad team to watch.... they have problems in every aspect of the game.... I was hoping the new ownership would actually put a little more focus on winning but I guess I was wrong when they hired Gauthier instead of taking the proper time to identify the appropriate person..... oh well :-s

[AP_]

Hey Tony, now HABS beat Kings and Ducks too... Makes your way easier and puts Ducks hard place :-E
No points for Saku though and Selänne shoot over (goal) his shoot out turn...

Congratulations :-)

[Tony]

Yeah it was a crazy game last night.... we scored two goals in the last minute and a half of the game to tie it and force it to overtime.... crazy game....

But it's still going to be hard to make the playoffs.... tomorrow night we play the lightning.... we need to win that game to have a shot at making it.... if we don't.... it's over for us in my honest opinion....

[AP_]

Looking good Tony but not for Ducks :-D

[Tony]

Yeah, big game for us tonight.... we play the Bruins.... we need to beat them and the Rangers on Monday and we may have a shot.....

Anaheim is in big trouble, they are 9 points out of a playoff spot.... but there are 30 points left to play for and anything can happen.... you never know!

[AP_]

Yep Tony, HABS should win those games. Quite crucial if you look at PO line situation.

Ducks situation is quite hopeless, maybe Saku shold give motivation speech at their locker room like he did Team Finland's one after they lose that terrible game against Team USA... He is "A" so...

[Tony]

I don't watch too many of their games, but it's kind of strange that a team that has Getzlaf, Perry, Koivu and Selanne, plus Hiller in nets is having that much problem.... it might just be a one year thing.... honestly, by next year they may be back right back at the top....

[AP_]

Yes, it's weird that with those players on the team you can't make it to the PO's...

I read time to time some Ducks forums and desperation/cynicism is very clear amongst Ducks fans :

"We are now in the "play us for the points you need to get to the Playoffs" mode.
We don't care who it is, the two points are yours"

Very supportive though :-??

This season will be Selänne's last so i'm sad behalf of him but at least he did get Stanley cup ring after 2006-07 season.

HABS took fine 3-2 win against Bruins, looking even better :thumb

[Tony]

Have you heard anything about how much longer Koivu will play? I would really like to get him back next year... I know the ducks were trying to trade him at the deadline but couldn't find any takers.... shame that his career is coming to the end the way it is :(

[AP_]

Have you heard anything about how much longer Koivu will play? I would really like to get him back next year... I know the ducks were trying to trade him at the deadline but couldn't find any takers.... shame that his career is coming to the end the way it is :(

He told interview during the Vancouver games that he will continue one year at a time. I think it was honest comment after all he's already 35 years old.

I read somewhere that Ducks tried to trade him to Devils ? I could be wrong though.
He have one year contract with Ducks and if they didn't agree new one I think he will be free agent then?

I think too that the best possible place for him to finish his career is Montreal and HABS. That would be great, one can always dream :-)

[Tony]

If he's willing to play for the right salary, he might come back! Plekanec looks to be asking around $6 million per year which is way too much for what he brings, so it's possible we may look at Koivu in the offseason! That would be nice!

[Greig]

Would Tony and AP_ and anyone else mind if I renamed this thread to "Ice Hockey discussions" and moved it to the other sports forum?

[Greig]

Oh and the HABS still suck :-D

[Tony]

Done :)

[Tony]

Err, although I called it the NHL thread....

[AP_]

Would Tony and AP_ and anyone else mind if I renamed this thread to "Ice Hockey discussions" and moved it to the other sports forum?

OK, thanks Greig :-)

[AP_]

If he's willing to play for the right salary, he might come back! Plekanec looks to be asking around $6 million per year which is way too much for what he brings, so it's possible we may look at Koivu in the offseason! That would be nice!

That would be nice Tony, Saku is by the way quite "cheap" now, salary under $4 million if I corectly remember... like he said he'd go "year at a time" so why not next season with HABS :-)

Your situation look mucccccccch better than week and half ago :thumb

[Tony]

I think we would want him at around $2.5m.... Our salary cap situation is not very good right now....

Yeah we caught fire, 6 wins in a row and 7-1 since the Olympic break.... but I still don't trust this team.... they can easily go on a multiple game losing streak and be in danger once again of missing the playoffs.... it's going to be tense right down to the last game....

Ducks won yesterday and Koivu scored!

[Greig]

HABS won't make it :-D

[Tony]

Well considering the 7 point buffer we have, we're in pretty good position :-D

[AP_]

I think we would want him at around $2.5m.... Our salary cap situation is not very good right now....

Yeah we caught fire, 6 wins in a row and 7-1 since the Olympic break.... but I still don't trust this team.... they can easily go on a multiple game losing streak and be in danger once again of missing the playoffs.... it's going to be tense right down to the last game....

Ducks won yesterday and Koivu scored!

You have very importat game tonight against Leafs. Lot of tension in the air I think even Leafs are out of PO's for sure. If you win it secures situation around PO line quite much...

Markov and Cammalleri are your hot players at the moment if you look at stats? What about Glen Metropolit? He played here with Team Helsingin Jokerit 2003-2005 two seasons and was teams best player those seasons and is well remembered center amongst us Jokerit fans even now :thumb

Yep, Saku is hot now and scored important OT goal against Islanders yesterday. He seems to get better when situation is getting tougher :-)

[Greig]

Go Leafs :-D

[AP_]

Go Leafs :-D

:thumb :-)

[Greig]

Wish could get some NHL coverage on TV......

[AP_]

Wish could get some NHL coverage on TV......

Here NHL is only available via Viasat Hockey cable channel 25 euros per month.
I usually watch games afterwards, don't want to stay up all night :-)

I don't know is there any live streams available...

[Greig]

Yeah same here, I would need to pay for Sky TV then pay for the channel that carries NHL, it used to be on free to air here too :-(

Well done Leafs :-D

[Tifoso]

Boooooo :-D

[Tony]

AP_ and Greig, check your inboxes :)

[Greig]

Cheers mate :-)

[AP_]

Great Tony :thumb

I say nothing about Saturdays Leafs-HABS game :-D

[AP_]

Getting more difficult for HABS. Important game against Hurricanes and no points...
Still 5 more games to go and 2 points lead against Trashers and basicly Rangers too.

Ducks have started fine final sprint, let's see if it's enough to take them PO's...

Selänne made his 600th and 601st NHL goals and Ducks honoured him before the start of the Stars game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XXzuNW8VY8


1) Wayne Gretzky 894
2) Gordie Howe 801
3) Brett Hull 741
4) Marcel Dionne 731
5) Phil Esposito 717
6) Mike Gartner 708
7) Mark Messier 694
8) Steve Yzerman 692
9) Mario Lemieux 690
10) Luc Robitaille 668,
11) Brendan Shanahan 656
12) Jaromir Jagr 646
13) Dave Andreychuk 640
14) Joe Sakic 625
15) Bobby Hull 610
16) Dino Ciccarelli 608
17) Jari Kurri ja Teemu Selänne 601
19) Mike Bossy 573
20) Mats Sundin 564

[Tony]

Yeah, I give us only a marginal chance of making the playoffs.... we're going up against 4 teams that we statistically rarely beat or that give us too much trouble.... I wont mind if we don't make it though, we don't have a good team this year and i want management to rebuild next year!

[AP_]

Yeah, I give us only a marginal chance of making the playoffs.... we're going up against 4 teams that we statistically rarely beat or that give us too much trouble.... I wont mind if we don't make it though, we don't have a good team this year and i want management to rebuild next year!

Great win against Flyers Tony :thumb
HABS play alredy PO hockey IMO...
2-4 points ahead of Bruins, Flyers, Trashers and Rangers, depending the number of games left. Not so bad at all if you compare Ducks situation. 5 games left and 6 points behind Avalanches...

Main thing is get to PO's after hard RS. PO's are then different thing IMO :-)

[AP_]

Congrats HABS. It was tight one, only one point ahead of Rangers :thumb

Now against Capitals, I think RS's stats were 2-2? Go HABS Go!!!

[Tony]

Yeah great series that was.... the refs were helping out the caps, but we still beat them in 7..... not looking very good against pittsburgh though.... they are going to be too strong.... plus we lost Markov.... oh well :(

[AP_]

Yeah great series that was.... the refs were helping out the caps, but we still beat them in 7..... not looking very good against pittsburgh though.... they are going to be too strong.... plus we lost Markov.... oh well :(

Great series against Capitals :thumb Halak was great shape particularly. And now 2-2 against Penguins, everything is possible I think even I know you're more pessimist :-)

[Tifoso]

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABS

In the Eastern Conference finals. Came from behind to win in both series; the 1st against the team with the best regular season record; the second against last year's Stanley Cup winner. A team with real heart.

[AP_]

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABS

In the Eastern Conference finals. Came from behind to win in both series; the 1st against the team with the best regular season record; the second against last year's Stanley Cup winner. A team with real heart.

Great, what else can I say :thumb

HABS are this season like Massa in 2008, defendants who came from behind and showed their ability when in a hard place :-)

HABS fans really now how to party...

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/hockey/other_nhl/view.bg?articleid=1254592&srvc=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bostonherald%2Fsports%2Fhocke y+%28Bruins+%26+NHL+-+Bruins+%26+NHL+-+BostonHerald.com%29

[Greig]

Well done the HABS :-D

[Tony]

Still a lot of work to be done.... but it's the deepest we've gone into the playoffs since the stanley cup win in 1993.... it's been a long time coming and now, we're in the final 4..... anything can happen still and I'm worried about our goaltending actually.... Halak is unproven still and he might get tired down the stretch and Price is utterly useless....

But I'm proud of the team, did what few others expected of them.... great heart, great determination and great coaching.....

[AP_]

But I'm proud of the team, did what few others expected of them.... great heart, great determination and great coaching.....

Thumbs up Tony :thumb

Bruins or Flyers, I think we'll not know until Saturday...

[Greig]

HABS still suck :-D

[Tifoso]

Thumbs up Tony :thumb

Bruins or Flyers, I think we'll not know until Saturday...


Exactly :-)

[Tony]

What a choke job by the bruins..... up 3-0 and lose 4-3.....

[AP_]

What a choke job by the bruins..... up 3-0 and lose 4-3.....

In the end Bruins were paper tigers :-D

Let's hope Flyers are too, in the paper their team is bigger and stronger but that's nothing
like we already know...

Intresting series ahead again :-)

[AP_]

HABS-Flyers 1-2. Now second home win and nothing is lost yet :-)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100521/ap_on_sp_ho_ga_su/hkn_flyers_canadiens

[Tifoso]

1-3 :-(

I still believe

[AP_]

1-3 :-(

I still believe

It's over 1-4 but still surprisingly good season for HABS :thumb

Blackhawks or Flyers win cup ?

[Tifoso]

I use the words of a college friend of mine "always root for the team that beat you, that way you can say at least you got beat by the best"

Of course, that doesn't hold true for baseball, where I would rather stick red hot pokers in my eyes than ever root for the Red Sox for any reason and in any scenario :-)

[Pekka]

Leino rocks!

[AP_]

Congrats Blackhawks and Antti Niemi :thumb