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Guest9278
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 Posted - 01/14/2009 : 18:57:57
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I dont think they give to much.... plekanec has what .... 8 goals so far? higgins has what ... not played? and when he plays he does 30 points a season? Lecavalier would replace plekanec and its a win there. The only lost for montreal would be jorges if they decide to trade hm to .... i think he is the most improe player in the lague this year. those who watch habs games would know. doesnt do any points but never akes a mistake! he use to suck all the time last year. as for the habs prospect.... they have like 5 good defensemen and like 6 nhl rdy foward already in the system. They wont be able to play em all rly and some of them could be put in the top lines of some teams. Therefore, i do not think this trades hurts the habs as muhc as ppl say.
The habs have also never had more than a 80 point producer in the last like 10-15 yrs. Lecavalier is a 100 points producer when played in a good team with good players so i think it is exactly what montreal needs.
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2009 : 07:26:57
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Let me be the Leafs GM for a second:
From the Leafs to TB:
Antropov
Stralman
Kulemin
Tlusty
2nd round pick
From TB to Leafs:
Lecavalier
Pleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaassse? 
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Pasty7
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2312 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2009 : 08:45:05
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quote:
Originally posted by slozo
Let me be the Leafs GM for a second:
From the Leafs to TB:
Antropov
Stralman
Kulemin
Tlusty
2nd round pick
From TB to Leafs:
Lecavalier
Pleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaassse?
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug
haha let me be the TB gm and reply with
From the Leafs to TB:
Kaberle
Shenn
Kulemin
2nd round pick
From TB to Leafs:
Lecavalier
Not trying to be sarcastic or laugh at your offer i jsut have a feeling if TB was to do buisness for Vinny with the leaf's they would put their foot down and say shenn has to be on the other side,,,, and i dont think the leafs should deal shenn
Pasty |
Edited by - Pasty7 on 01/15/2009 08:48:58 |
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Guest9278
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Posted - 01/15/2009 : 08:49:28
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| Let me be lecavalier and say.... NO THX! LMAO! |
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Axey
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
877 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2009 : 08:59:52
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Lets keep it on track here, I hate how the Leafs get dragged into every topic. As for Vinny to the Habs it is not looking good thus far, both are denying it and such but who knows really, might be to calm down distractions.
Chicago Blackhawks GM
Jesus didn't tap. |
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Matt_Roberts85
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
936 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2009 : 06:59:58
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I will be absolutley shocked if the habs can pull off a deal for Lecavalier.
Tampa Bay must be absolutley out of their mind if they want to get rid of Lecavalier for Pleckanec, Higgins, and some of Montreals depth players.
None of those guys could lace lecavaliers skates.
The winner of a trade is always the team that gets the best player. If Montreal gets him its a steal. The only way it would hurt is if his contract f***s their cap up for a decade.
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E". |
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Porkchop73
PickupHockey Pro
640 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2009 : 13:23:55
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| I don't believe Lecavalier is even on the market no matter who said what. Tampa owners are just not that stupid even though they seem to be. This rumour was started by overzealous Habs fans mis-quoting a Tampa owner saying how could anyone afford to pay a salary like Vinny's during hard economical times. Would be really surprised if Vinny was traded. Of course people said the same thing about Gretzky in Edmonton. |
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Guest4418
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Posted - 01/17/2009 : 10:33:12
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The winner of the trade is not necessarily the team that gets the best player. It depends on the situation of the individual team.
In the case of the potential Lecavalier deal, the Canadians are in good shape this season for a cup run, but with the number of injuries to their top scorers they would benefit from the addition of an elite player like Lecavalier. Therefore, the primary concern for the Canadians is winning now.
Whereas the Lightning are not likely to even make the playoffs this year, so there main concern is the future and the building process is centered around their future success. So while losing Lecavalier will hurt them today, it doesn't make much of a difference because their probably not making the playoffs anyway. But the depth players and more importantly the draft picks they receive are critical for their rebuilding process. Not to mention that right now Stamkos is still young and hasn't reached his prime. Therefore, this move could also be a ploy to try and intentionally tank the remainder of the season to try and earn another firtst round draft pick.
Look at the Penguins for example. Terrible team a few years ago. But they were in a rebuilding phase. First they took Ryan Whitney fifth overall in 2002... then Fleury first overall in 2003... then Malkin second overall in 2004... then Crosby first overall in 2005... then Staal second overall in 2006.
Now look at the Pens last season. They made a strong run at the Cup making it to the Cup finals.
This is now the heart of there team. Solid young goaltending... a good young puck moving defenseman... and three young skilled centers. The key word here is young. They will represent th Pens for years to come.
This is exactly what I believe the Lightning are in the process of doing. There lack of success so far however is not do to their top lines, as there is certainly no shortage of firepower there. The problem is that they lack solid puck moving defensemen and strong goaltending. This, as history has shown is the key to winning championships.
So back to the point... the winner of the potential Lecavalier trade is not only the Canadians, but also the Lightning. Both teams benefit. |
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Alex
PickupHockey All-Star
Canada
2816 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2009 : 19:35:10
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January 17, 2009
It seems that every draft post-lockout has been a Grab Bag of talent.
Consider that Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin and Tavares will have all been drafted in a span of four years. We’re talking about guys who could all conceivably end up in the top twenty point getters all-time. On defence, you’ve got guys like Phaneuf, Doughty, Schenn and Hedman leading the pack.
This is good. It means that teams don’t need to plan their demise around the up-and-coming five year old breaking scoring records in little league. As the last few seasons have bore testament, you can go from worst to first almost through the draft alone.
And yet, while development programs all across the country are finally seeing their labours come to fruition on the grandest of stages, it has become my observation that one minority group has been grossly misrepresented: the goalies.
Think about it. What has the draft brought us in terms of goalies in the last four seasons? Henrik Lundqvist and Carey Price. And so far Carey Price hasn’t exactly been the Messiah of the Canadiens organization.
In 2007, the highest goalie went 36th overall. Last year, 18th. And with the NHL trying ever so hard to glorify the goal scorers and give them an advantage, this trend may not be something we can buck. Roberto Luongo, arguably today’s best goalie, has already warned he would walk off the job if the NHL followed through on shrinking pads and enlarging nets.
How many ‘tenders today can boast job security? There aren’t that many guys that are undisputed number ones. And for whatever reason, the injury bug has bitten those that are. Brodeur, Luongo, Price and DiPietro have all been sidelined for a large chunk of the season.
But perhaps the best way to illustrate the dwindling numbers of strong goalies out there is by looking at how many teams would be exponentially better with a decent guy between the pipes. Ottawa, Edmonton, Colorado, Tampa Bay, Nashville and Los Angeles would have probably made or gone farther into the playoffs this season and last with a competent goalie.
No other player has the ability to change the outcome of a given game as much as the goalies.
I took the liberty of dusting through the archives to see if it was always this shallow in the goalie pool, but it wasn’t. Check out this list of goaltenders from the 2000-01 season.
Brodeur, NJ
Hasek, BUF
Belfour, DAL
Roy, COL
Kolzig, WAS
Joseph, TOR
Nabokov, SJS
Luongo, FLA
Potvin, LAK
Osgood, DET
Theodore, MON
Vernon, CAL
Chechmanek, PHI
Lalime, OTT
Dafoe, BOS
Those aren’t necessarily the best goaltenders of all-time, but they were all more or less good starters. If any one of them got signed today by the clubs mentioned earlier and replicated their play from that season, the team would be doing better.
All things being equal, hockey with more goal scoring is better than hockey with less. A symptom of that is that more and more goalies will get short leashes, which means headaches for coaches trying to find one guy who stands out over the next.
So what can I conclude from all this? Going forward, it’s worth it to overpay on pure talent to land yourself a top five goaltender. Or sign Kristie Alley to a long term contract and let all the pucks bounce off her.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/56341506_055b94511d.jpg
Thoughts?
Sign up for the Great Debate! |
Edited by - Alex on 01/17/2009 19:36:40 |
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Guest4735
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Posted - 01/18/2009 : 01:56:35
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Being a nag, but they weren't drafted in a span of four years
Ovechkin and Malkin 2004
Crosby 05
06,07,08
09 Tavares
But I can agree with you that not many goalies can boast saying they are the go to go, it seems that alot of teams start out with a #1 goalie and he plays average, gets hurt or something or the backup comes in for a few games and plays amazing and they roll with the backup cause he is doing so well. Goalies you would have never thought to be great goalies. I think its crazy! |
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Alex
PickupHockey All-Star
Canada
2816 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2009 : 13:38:45
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January 21, 2008
In an interesting sort of paradox, players of any given sport will, more often than not, talk about other players rather than themselves when discussing the given sport.
Or in layman’s English, we all have man crushes on Sidney Crosby.
Think about it. We devote so much time to talking about the guys in the big leagues, even though: 1) we likely will never have their skill; 2) our debating a certain topic doesn’t advance its cause, and, most importantly, 3) do you really think Alex Ovechkin spends time talking to his buddies about Moe the goalie from Pickering?
To be sure, the Alex Blog is also guilty. Mea culpa. But today, we will take a break from talking about salary caps, trade rumours, and scoring leaders to discuss something far more important: us. I’ll start us off.
I play tier B select hockey. I played defence for the beginning of the year, and was never on for a goal against. I have since moved to forward, and have three goals in four games. I rarely get hit, but, with one exception, every time I have this year, I have drawn a penalty.
In my best shift this season, I drew three (!) penalties and scored the only goal in a loss against the defending city champs.
My league isn’t a pushover or a joke though. The average goals per game for both teams has never exceeded six in my memory, except once. There is a lot of hitting, and the refs are pretty fair in what they call.
What makes me stand out is not my skill, but my smarts. And to give credit where credit is due, I’d like to thank the forum for this one. Until I ran across the concept of ‘smart hockey’ around here, I thought that the guy with the most skill always got the results.
Some of the tendencies in my game:
1) Never, ever, ever get involved in a scrum. Never. Not even when pride is on the line. Not even where you think you can draw a penalty.
2) Rarely hit. More times than not, in my league anyways, every time you have a chance to hit, you have an equally good chance at taking the puck off the guy. But I do use a lot of soft contact, and play extremely well along the boards when I have the puck.
3) Always create open ice. I like to think that this is one of my specialties. I play a strong puck possession game because of either getting out of the fray, or cycling the puck very well.
I’d like to dwell more on the ‘smart’ aspect of the game and discuss it, because it’s fun to talk about, and it really does make you a great player. But I’m reaching the 500 word mark and so I hereby give the floor off to you guys to tell us a little bit about your own hockey careers.
Write away!
''Yes we can!'' -Obama |
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Guest8815
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Posted - 01/21/2009 : 13:48:44
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| I play what most would call a "Power Forwards" role. Im a pretty big guys at 5'8, 140lbs and only 15, and I use it to my advantage. I am great in the corners, and am strong on the puck. I am not the fanciest of players, and can't dangle likes most of the kids on my team, but I can get a handful of goals, and still pull a deke or two. I have one of the hardest shots on my team, and am used on the Point of the PP, where I've blasted a few home. I also have a very accurate snap shot. My passing skills are adequate to say the least. Ya, I grab a decent amount of assists, but it's not my forte. I also like to level kids, always fun. |
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ThorntonisTHEMAN
PickupHockey Pro
499 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2009 : 14:02:06
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I've never played any hockey other than church hockey as baseball is more my game. I'm not very good at all but I normally play defence altho I'm a little on the small side. I would consider myself a very defensive defence. I work extremely hard and dig in the corners. I am not afraid to get in front of the puck and i possess a decent break-out pass. My slapshot is nonexistant but my wristshot is workable. My game isn't pretty but I bring everything I got on every shift.
"I'm not dumb enough to be a goalie."
Brett Hull. |
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fat_elvis_rocked
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2009 : 14:07:03
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Let me pull up the rocker and a blanket sonny...
I played my 'serious' hockey in the late 70's early 80's, always at the 'AAA' or 'A' level, and went through 2 junior camps for the Regina Pats when I was 16 and 17. After the second camp, I had Bill Laforge, the, then coach of Pats, deride me to the point of losing interest in trying out the following year, causing Bob Strumm, the GM of the Pats to call my parents, repeatedly, and ask why I wasn't interested. My father was adamant that I wasn't interested in playing the kind of hockey that Laforge wanted from me, and that was that.
Funny thing was, I was, in retrospect, a fairly skilled defenceman, that loved the physical, yet gentlemanly game. If you had your head down, or if you left me an oppurtunity to effectively play the body, I did, in spades.
Apparently, in those days, as now it seems, if you wanted to hit hard, yet clean, you also had to have the mentality of a 2 x 4, and be ready to drop your mitts after making the clean play. I preferred not to do that, which caused Laforge to grab me by my cage and scream into my face for 5 minutes about what a poor excuse for a hockey player I was..
I found it comical then, and I find it comical now...
I was good enough to be asked to attend a major junior camp at what in those days was a fairly young age, make it to the 'blue and white' game(the final evaulations and cuts), yet not good enough because I wouldn't lower my standards and intelligence to what a blowhard coach wanted...
Funny stuff, thanks for the trip down memory lane Alex |
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ThorntonisTHEMAN
PickupHockey Pro
499 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2009 : 14:13:33
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Mr. Fat Elvis, I very much respect you. There seem to be fewer and fewer people who are willing to stand up to a coach for their standards! Kudo's to you for taking the high road.
"I'm not dumb enough to be a goalie."
Brett Hull. |
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Leafs Rock Planet
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2009 : 14:27:44
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Not trying to draw comparisons seeing that I only made it to the "A" level but the closest person i could think of in todays game is Sydney Crosby. A bit more of a scoring touch
I like to think that I have good vision when on the ice and that I have a knack for finding the back of the net. I was generally a second line player in my good days but was an assist machine.
I would like to think linemates enjoy playing with me. |
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fat_elvis_rocked
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2009 : 15:19:28
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quote:
Originally posted by ThorntonisTHEMAN
Mr. Fat Elvis, I very much respect you. There seem to be fewer and fewer people who are willing to stand up to a coach for their standards! Kudo's to you for taking the high road.
"I'm not dumb enough to be a goalie."
Brett Hull.
Thanks for that, I do appreciate it. In retrospect, I might have had a shot at a hockey career, as I can now appreciate that the skills might have been there, but I am comfortable with it all, knowing that the attitude and desire most likely were not. I played with and against a fair number of kids that went on to have NHL careers, and I certainly had as much talent as them, just not the same intangibles.
That and the fact that if I had chosen to take on more of the tough guy role, I would have spent the next couple years scrapping Stu Grimson to try and keep it, as he came to the Pats the next year. Pretty sure that wouldn't have worked out to well for me..
This way, I have a very good life, and I'm still better looking than Tim Hunter.. ...and to keep with Alex's topic, that IS 'smart' hockey!
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Guest9299
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Posted - 01/21/2009 : 16:41:06
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| I played house league hockey for a number of years and now play mens league. Made the transition from forward to defence last year and love it. THe only discernable skills I have are excellent acceleration and fairly good hands. My favourite play is picking up a dump-in behind my own net, suprising a forechecker or two with a quick burst of speed, then stickhandling through the remaining defenders. this play almost always ends with me shoving the puck into a goalies pads or firing an ineffective pass to a teammate that isn't there. |
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Guest9299
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Posted - 01/21/2009 : 16:47:23
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| The league I play in allows some hitting, but nothing obviously intended to hurt people. My theory has always been not to go looking for trouble, but there are certain actions that necessitate a response. Slashing at a goalies glove when the puck is obviously covered and the whistle has blown is just asking for trouble. I would say about half of the scrums/fights that occur in my league are a result of hacking at the goalie. Naturally when you have men of any age in any form of competition, there is bound to be the occasional fight. |
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Porkchop73
PickupHockey Pro
640 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2009 : 19:04:10
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| I live my life always asking myself what could have been. I always played at a high level, highly competitive hockey mostly AAA level in ontario. Winning many provincial championships. Was drafted by the Soo Greyhounds but blew my knee playing summer hockey before I ever made it to my first camp. Was never able to compete at the same level after that and the Drs said no more hockey. Played some lower levels of Junior but did not have the same skating ability anymore. I now play hockey only in a beer league where the most important play is opening the cooler. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2009 : 19:07:10
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I am the greatest player to ever play the game. I rate 99 is all aspects and I have every scoring record possible. My team has never lost a game and I am now into my 5th season after hoisting the Cup in the past 4 and winning the Conn Smythe in each of those Cup wins. Also in the past 4 season I have won the Calder, 4 Art Ross, 4 Harts, 4 Pearsons, 2 Selkies, and a few others I can't think of.
Unfortunately, my career is ending. My copy of NHL 08 is worn thin and I am going to restart my career in NHL 09. I am sure the same sucess will be found.
I never played hockey. I was one of those kids where their parents didn't have the resources for me to play. I got into basketball and became pretty good. In high school I played some zone teams and once on the provicial under 17 team.
Then I got into the real world and sport became recreational again.
I was a pretty mean ball hockey player at one time too. I think I would have been a decent ice hockey player, but the fact that I never learned how to stop on stakes might have stopped my career short. However, Dave Andrychuk couldn't skate backwards so maybe I had a shot.
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Guest9235
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Posted - 01/21/2009 : 21:33:41
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| I play midget A tier 2. I'm a big guy, but don't hit too often, unless its a game where i have to. Im in the lead for points and second in goals. I dont have the greatest skills on my team, not by a mile. Im not gifted in anyway, if i was to have 5 chances in the slot alone id put away maybe 2. Im just one of those kids with a passion for the game and work my ass off every game. I play whatever style the game calls for, except for finess, i cant deke anything but a goalie, and can play any position and have in the last 3 years, except for goalie. |
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Guest9235
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Posted - 01/21/2009 : 21:37:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest8815
I play what most would call a "Power Forwards" role. Im a pretty big guys at 5'8, 140lbs and only 15, and I use it to my advantage. I am great in the corners, and am strong on the puck. I am not the fanciest of players, and can't dangle likes most of the kids on my team, but I can get a handful of goals, and still pull a deke or two. I have one of the hardest shots on my team, and am used on the Point of the PP, where I've blasted a few home. I also have a very accurate snap shot. My passing skills are adequate to say the least. Ya, I grab a decent amount of assists, but it's not my forte. I also like to level kids, always fun.
Im sorry but, if your a big kid on your team or in your league, then you play in a pretty little league, unless your rem 15 or still in bantam. Im 6'2 180 pounds and amd a medium sized guy in my league(big for my team but were a small team). Or do you just play in an area with small people, cause ive heard places like ontario are much smaller than alberta |
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Alex
PickupHockey All-Star
Canada
2816 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2009 : 16:12:07
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January 22, 2008
Unless you’ve got connections into Toronto’s mob, it’s almost impossible to catch a Leafs game live. The tickets sell like hot cakes. Those who are lucky enough to find a scalper will get the privilege of buying tickets in the nosebleeds for time-and-a-half their value, and have to live with the fact that it’s illegal.
Yesterday was one of those rare occasions where I did get to catch a game (against Boston, and on Ace Bailey night, no less) and the experience is something that is worth sharing with those who are willing to listen. There are a lot of things that you can take away from going down to the ACC, and here are a few of them:
1) It reignites your passion.
As my regular readers know, both the Canadiens and Leafs have a place in my heart. Seldom does my dumber half get keyboard time to discuss the buds, but in general, I’m a member of tank nation i.e. Tavares or bust. That changes when you go to a game.
When you’re there, you want them to win, you want them to squeeze into the playoffs, etc. Even though you, me and Dupree all know the smart move would be to rebuild, when you actually see a game in the flesh, you want the team to focus on the now.
2) It helps you appreciate just how good these guys are.
Watching hockey on T.V. cheapens the experience. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but you aren’t getting the full package. When you get to see the whole ice from the vantage point of 300 odd seats up, you are seeing every single player. You are seeing how a few quick passes opened up a passing lane for Zdeno Chara to tap one in, not just a goal that leaves you wondering ‘well why the hell didn’t anyone pick that guy up?’
On the subject of passing, you also come to realize how underrated it is. I’ve said before that probably the hardest thing about playing pro hockey is learning to take and give passes with the precision that these guys do at the speeds they do. They can take them on their backhand, off their skate, through their legs. And this isn’t just the superstars; it’s the Nikolai Kulemins too. Kind of makes me wish that Thornton would have graced us with his presence in Boston last night.
3) Some guys actually do this every single day.
When you get into the ACC, you see the LeafsTV booth and their hockey panel live and it’s like ‘Oh, so they don’t do it from some studio in Hamilton?’ In fact, sometime at the beginning of the game, I said to my dad:
‘Holy smokes, Pierre McGuire is probably down there!’
To put things in context, there were five NHL all-stars in uniform last night, and what I was excited about was the guy from TSN. It just doesn’t seem real that some guys actually sit that close to the action every night, and are feeding it to you from there.
Feel free to leave your experiences from games you’ve been to. And for all those who haven’t been yet this season, do yourselves a favour and go. You won’t regret it! |
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Lunchbox
Top Prospect
Canada
88 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 03:51:34
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Great story Alex
I have been to a few games at GM Place myself, though none more exciting than Game 7 against Calgary 2004...The crowd was freakin' unbelievable, and when Cooke scored with 2 seconds left to tie it, the roof almost blew off. The Canucks lost that night, but still an amazing experience. (Helped by the fact they arent my favorite-est team, I just lived nearby) I wish I could go to more games here, but tickets are just as rare now...also wish I was old enough to have gone to the old Coliseum when you could trade your lunch for two tickets in the lower bowl. |
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Matt_Roberts85
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
936 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 08:47:11
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I absolutley love going to games. I've been to probably 50 Maple Leafs games in my life, probably about 10 at the ol' Gardens and each time I go it's absolutley awesome. Watching on TV doesn't even come close to the experience you get at the games. The best game i've ever seen live was Game 7 in the first round of the playoffs in 2004. Joe Nieuwendyk potted 2 softies on Patrick Lalime in the first. The place went absolutley nuts, and was a wild crowd for the rest of the game.
It always bugs me when people trash the atmosphere at the ACC, it;s only quiet as hell because the leafs aren't very good. I've been there alot when they were good and the place was very much alive.
Just wait unti the buds are a post season team again. It will be amazing.
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E". |
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Alex
PickupHockey All-Star
Canada
2816 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 13:11:50
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January 23rd, 2009
It’s so damn frustrating to be young. Can’t debate, can’t drive, can’t date, can’t drink. In that order. Oh by the way, my new name is hereby Alexander Alliteration.
You see, little people always try to act grown up. It’s the reason the guy who invented the training bra is sitting on a pile of cash. But more than just wanting to look older, we also want to act older. And so we use big words we don’t know the meaning of, and join conversations we have no business entering.
Enter the ‘Gretzky vs. Lemiuex’ debate, by far the biggest hockey hot-topic. Those who actually grew up in the eighties will refer to a specific game, a specific play, a specific quote, to fuel their arguments. But the little squirt in the crowd will be sitting there with his calculator, reciting verbatim the rhetoric his father / coach / significant other fed him.
It’s really a problem. Some will dust through the YouTube archives and try to watch old games and what have you. But the internet can not do justice to two decades of hockey.
It is with tremendous satisfaction, then, that the Alex Blog says to all you youngsters out there not to despair. For friends, the pages of history are turning in our favour. Mark my words and heed my cry, brothers. Our time has come.
And what, pray tell, will possibly make up for being born fifteen years too late? Ovechkin and Crosby, that’s what.
It didn’t look like it would happen. It didn’t seem like one day we’d find a real debate that we could partake in. But, trust me. In fifteen years, and maybe even sooner, the masses won’t be debating about Gretzky or Lemieux. They will be debating about Ovechkin and Crosby.
And we will be leading that charge. We will be able to refer to specific plays, games, quotes. We will have strong opinions, and proof after proof backing them up.
In the meantime, do not sit idly by. Watch hockey. Watch it a lot. Follow these two players. Enjoy their exciting style and savour the moment. Because before you know it, you’ll be reminiscing about these guys the way some people do about Gretzky and Lemieux right now.
Carpe diem. |
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Matt_Roberts85
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
936 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 13:23:45
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Isn't it awesome that we are living through a very exciting time in hockey? Not since the days of Gretzky and lemieux have there been two players so dynamic and exciting. Didn't it seem all too apporpriate that the lockout seperated the old guard, from the new guard? There was the definitive moment in time when the NHL became the "new" NHL and it revolved around them. The big question I have is, do we still have that type of debate if neither one ever wins a stanley cup?
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E". |
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fat_elvis_rocked
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 14:00:42
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I hope you are right Alex, I really do. I just don't think it will happen quite that way...
Indeed both Ovechkin and Crosby are talents, but they are not head and shoulders above the rest of the league like Gretzky and Lemieux were. Guys my age don't fully realize how extremely lucky we are to have been able to watch those 2 in their primes. Statistically, there will never be a tandem to match what these 2 did. Gretzky began an era of playing the game 'outside the box' with his innovative approach to all aspects of the game, and Mario was pure physical magic.
Today's stars are very good, but there are more than a few, and that I think will be the trend for the next future. Any given year, there can be a few Crosbys and Ovechkins, they are not that far outside the mold.
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Axey
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
877 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2009 : 14:51:25
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Whats funny is the D alliteration would go the other wayfor about 95% of all Canadians, including myself. Just wanted to point that out.
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Alex
PickupHockey All-Star
Canada
2816 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2009 : 18:57:59
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January 24th, 2009
Just a few comments on the NHL Skills Competition:
1) Stop trashing this whole weekend. There are a lot of things the NHL got wrong, but this event is meant to celebrate the talent in the league. It’s damn hard to please everybody, and if any of us were running the show, it would probably get worse ratings than a fat Britney Spears flopping around at the MTV awards.
Don’t take that rant personally, but I feel that someone’s got to defend Gary Betman and the league. The average fan probably doesn’t notice anything wrong with the game; it’s the guys that call it a joke that are dampening the spirit. For the record, there were no comments on this site during the competition. Wonder where everyone was…
That being said, here’s my constructive criticism on this evening.
Breakaway challenge:
When a Rob Schremp comes along once in a blue moon and pulls off the lacrosse style shot, it’s exciting. When every single player tries to do it – and fails – it gets old. I’d rather see moves that are easier to pull of but are new and creative.
Martin St. Louis’s puck-in-glove, Kovalev’s toe-on-puck and Kane’s belly dive all made a good impression on me. And of course Ovechkin’s two-stick idea, with the cowboy hat to boot.
Going forward, I think players should try to execute fool proof moves. Sure, Getzlaf would have looked like a genius if his kick had made contact, and Kovalev would be getting pro soccer contracts had he managed to land the puck on his head, but that type of stuff is a crapshoot.
I’d rather see a guy come in with hands behind his back and kick it around to try and score, or do the whole thing backwards, or blindfolded, or grab a microphone and do his own colour commentary. There are some good ideas for next year boys.
Hardest shot:
Good on Zdeno Chara for winning over the Montreal crowd. He is in all likelihood the most booed guy in the game. And nice dramatic fashion, breaking a long standing NHL record on the last shot in the contest. Style points for that.
Young Stars Game:
Some fun stuff. Would have liked to see more goals. I think Peka Renne (sp?) could have eased up a little. The goalies are the only players at the games who should play haphazardly, yet ironically they seem to be the ones that play with the most conviction.
Elimination shootout:
Anyone else under the impression that Thomas let Savard score his last one? He opened up his legs pretty damn wide.
All in all, a fun event to watch. If the breakaway challenge had been a little bit more creative, this evening would have gotten a great revue, but the guys didn’t think it through too well.
''Yes we can!'' -Obama |
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KariyaSelanne
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
297 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2009 : 19:37:26
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In my opinion I thought that the Young Guns game was pretty boring, I would have rather watched a Leafs game
But I am happy that Shea Weber finally got noticed in the NHL, he is a great defenceman and I look forward to watching him on Team Canada in 2010. |
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Porkchop73
PickupHockey Pro
640 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2009 : 05:16:32
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| Thanks for filling me in on the skills competition Alex. I had decided that getting a voluntary barium enima was more important then watching the competiton or its highlights. I think I will do it again when the game is played today. |
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Axey
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
877 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2009 : 19:33:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Porkchop73
Thanks for filling me in on the skills competition Alex. I had decided that getting a voluntary barium enima was more important then watching the competiton or its highlights. I think I will do it again when the game is played today.
Did you end up seeing the game today? It was actually good, high intensity and alot of price on the line lol |
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Matt_Roberts85
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
936 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2009 : 10:09:57
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I thought it was the best all star game in a long time. I thought Kovalev was outstanding and thats coming from a guy who despises him. Ovechkin definatley shined as well, that guy should be the face of the NHL, not Crosby. I haven't laughed so hard while watching hockey in all my life (well, except for when the dude in philly fell in the penalty box and domi beat the crap out of him) when OV put on that hat and sunglasses. It doesn't really seem like there is much of a rift between OV and Malkin now does there? Thats bad news for Canada at the olympics. Jarome Iginla got his first all star goal as well, I couldn't beleive he had never scored one before.
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E". |
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Alex
PickupHockey All-Star
Canada
2816 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2009 : 14:39:10
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January 26, 2009
A few words on the All-Star game courtesy of yours truly:
1) Damn entertaining. Eat your heart out Hollywood. Kovalev got a hat-trick, including the game winner, and if you noticed, all on breakaways.
2) Lecavalier definitely wanted to put on a show last night. He hogged the puck just a smidge, stayed on for two minutes at the end, and if you picked it up, asked Julien to be included in the shootout. He didn’t play particularly well but he played with all the signs that he had something to prove, which is good news if you’re a Habs fan.
3) The effort was pretty decent for the second half of the game. Remember that the All-Star game in any other league doesn’t have any more intensity. But the goalies where nowhere to be found.
You could say they had no defence, but you’d be forgetting that the top defensemen in the world were playing last night. Obviously the aim of the game was offence, but the tenders seemed to be throwing in the towel prematurely.
4) Datsyuk and Lidstrom should 100 percent be sitting out their game against Columbus. There’s not even a debate to be had.
5) Goal of the game? We’ve got more than 20 to choose from. Top three would have to be Rick Nash, Evgeni Malkin, and Alexei Kovalev. Ovechkin’s shootout goal might be in there.
6) The anthems were weak. That guy butchered the final lines of the Star Spangled Banner by adding his own feel to it, which didn’t impress me. And as much as I appreciate the talents of the gospel choir, they should have got one person to sing the anthem and sing it well.
7) CBC’s interviews were brilliant. Especially the one with Luongo. The coaches also had some good stuff to say. Great questions and more importantly, fun answers.
8) The new hockey theme song is growing on me every day. I like it so much more than the old one. It may just be beginner’s charm, but for now, this song is amazing. Good job!
8) If ‘all’s well that end’s well’, does that mean ‘all’s bad that end’s bad.’ Because the Montreal fans embarrassed the game, the city, the sport, and me personally, by booing Gary Bettman when he went to award MVP to Kovalev.
It’s bloody disgraceful. It’s classless and rude. It has no part in this game and it leaves a terrible taste in your mouth. Nobody deserves that. If anyone of us would be in charge, there would be way more people unhappy. No fans have been alienated because of Mr. Bettman, and scores of fans have been drawn in.
But more on that here:
http://pickuphockey.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5580
All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable game and it definitely lived up to expectations. If you skipped it, you missed out.
''Yes we can!'' -Obama |
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Axey
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
877 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2009 : 18:48:17
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| Souray? Can you explain this ahah |
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Guest4841
( )
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Posted - 01/26/2009 : 18:57:33
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| Good points there Alex, one thing you got wrong. There is no way in hell Datsyuk and Lidstrom should be forced to miss there next game. To me that is a complete joke, they are both legitamently hurt, Datsyuk missed the 3rd period in the wings last game and Lidstrom has being playing hurt all year. There is no way anyone can justify them having to miss a regular season game because they took the week to heal. There duty is to there teams and if they are going to help there teams by staying home and resting then thats what they should do. Gary Bettman had the worst way of trying to justify his actions, "There are a lot of times to rest during the season." Are you kidding me, the Wings travel more then any team in the league and are practicing on none game days which is a lot more important then some stupid All-Star game that means absolulty nothing. |
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Canucks Man
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1547 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2009 : 01:26:48
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in case you havent noticed Bettman gets booed everywhere, I was a Trevor Linden night and when Bettman was annouced he was booed, when he goes to present the Stanley Cup he gets booed, It embarresed you personally? how do you get off saying that? If you looked at Bettman during the booing every time he just laughs it off, its all in good fun, he just a booable guy. So before you go and say it embarresed sport remember, everyone boos Bettman not just the fans in Montreal but throughout the league, its just something everone does do when his name is annouced, I think you should stop taking things so personally.
CANUCKS RULE!!!
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2009 : 05:16:49
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A retort to some of your points sir:
4) Datsyuk and Lidstrom should 100 percent be sitting out their game against Columbus. There’s not even a debate to be had.
- Why? Do they need a note from their doctor to sit out the All-Star game, because if they do . . . they both have one! Alex, I agree we need the stars to attend the game, but there is a better way to do it - it should be (and largely is, as far as I know it) league management (see: your beloved Gary Bettman) and advertisers who use these stars in their product placements that should do the pressuring. Sid the Kid should have been pressured into going. Not saying it would have 100% worked, but clearly an effort isn't being made, otherwise hacks like us would have likely heard about it.
8) The new hockey theme song is growing on me every day. I like it so much more than the old one. It may just be beginner’s charm, but for now, this song is amazing. Good job!
- I hate that song, and long for the old one. Sorry, just isn't growing on me one bit.
8) If ‘all’s well that end’s well’, does that mean ‘all’s bad that end’s bad.’ Because the Montreal fans embarrassed the game, the city, the sport, and me personally, by booing Gary Bettman when he went to award MVP to Kovalev.
It’s bloody disgraceful. It’s classless and rude. It has no part in this game and it leaves a terrible taste in your mouth. Nobody deserves that. If anyone of us would be in charge, there would be way more people unhappy. No fans have been alienated because of Mr. Bettman, and scores of fans have been drawn in.
- Dude. It is EVERY FAN'S RIGHT to boo whomever they want, whenever they want - period. They paid a lot of money for that right, and through their support of their respective teams, they earned it.
I would boo Bettman as well, FYI.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Canada - Russia rap 
