NHL Discussion - 2009-2010 Season

[tomalak301]

Tomorrow the NHL Season will be upon us. That means another year of watching the Sharks choke yet another playoff series, and then we can all lament Doug Wilson as being a bad GM. Ok, I'm being harsh, but seriously, after watching the Sharks lose, again, last year to the Ducks, what else can I do. I for one hope they are just like a 3 or 4 seed (If they even make the playoffs) because I think the president's trophy is cursed. When was the last time the president's trophy winner also won the cup. Probably a few years ago with Detroit, but the point is, I don't want to see a fantastic Sharks team in the regular season again just to see them choke it all away. I want to see a good team who makes the playoffs and then just goes on the offensive and becomes the powerhouse on the way to the cup. I think that's how I am looking at this season. A regular season win is nice, a trip to the playoffs is nice, but wake me up when it's April and the real season starts.

Anyway, on the positive side, I hope Heatley works out. He may be a good hockey player, but based on this summer he comes across as a bit of a Diva. Still that line of Thornton, Heater, and Seto is scary good on paper. Looking forward to Thursday night.

So what are you looking forward to. Whose your team and how do you think they will do.

 

[Derishton]

I'm surprised by the good buzz around Vancouver ... normally, the national media pretty much ignores the Canucks in favor of nitty articles about the Leaf's latest overpaid fourth-stringer. And I'm also nervous, because high expectations have never served the Canucks particularly well.

 

[Commander Vaughn]

I'm hoping the Red Wings can shake off the disappointment of losing the Cup on home ice. They lost a lot of talent in the offseason, so we'll see how they do. With Chicago on the rise, Detroit's strangehold on the Central Division these past few seasons might be in jeopardy. I guess we'll find out pretty soon!

Go Wings!

 

[Winterwind]

I'm hoping all the hype about Burke being the Second Coming is at partially borne out.

The pre-season went well (for what that's worth). The D looks solid. We should be covered in net and we've got some kids with talent and potential up front. I'm expecting the Leafs to fight for one of the final play-off spots. The points separating 6th - 10th usually aren't a lot so I'm expecting the Leafs to be in that pack.

 

[Canadave]

I'm hoping all the hype about Burke being the Second Coming is at partially borne out.

The pre-season went well (for what that's worth). The D looks solid. We should be covered in net and we've got some kids with talent and potential up front. I'm expecting the Leafs to fight for one of the final play-off spots. The points separating 6th - 10th usually aren't a lot so I'm expecting the Leafs to be in that pack.

I'm in the same boat, more or less. I think grabbing the 7th or 8th spot would be really good for the team, even if they exit in the first round. There are a lot of youngsters on the team, and if some of them can get their feet wet in the postseason before all the talent is ready (ie, Kadri) then we could be in a good place for future years.

We'll see. We're past due for some success on the ice, that's for certain.

 

[BigFoot]

I'm a Canucks fan and I gotta say I'm cautiously optimistic at the moment. With the addition of of Samuelsson and Shirokov, our forward lines should do pretty well this year. And while I was worried for a while when Ohlund left the team, I think we're good in the back as well. So yeah, like I said... cautiously optimistic.

That 14-game road trip during the Olympics could be killer though.

 

[AdmiralGarak]

Hard to believe this is the last year in the ol' Igloo. The place desperately needed to go, but I'm gonna miss it all the same. That white dome is one of the most distinctive sights in Pittsburgh.

At least there'll be a bit of redecorating to start off tomorrow's game.

 

[Derishton]

I'm a Canucks fan and I gotta say I'm cautiously optimistic at the moment. With the addition of of Samuelsson and Shirokov, our forward lines should do pretty well this year. And while I was worried for a while when Ohlund left the team, I think we're good in the back as well. So yeah, like I said... cautiously optimistic.

That 14-game road trip during the Olympics could be killer though.

Vancouver has some kind of 14-game road trip almost every year, don't they? We're just not allowed to mention it, or all the teams who travel half an hour to play whine that we're whining about travel schedules.

I'm really glad Shirokov made the team; it looked like the choice between Hodgson and Shirokov went down to the wire.

 

[BigFoot]

^ While it's true that the Canucks travel the most out of all the NHL teams, their road trips aren't usually this long.

And yeah, I'm glad Shirokov made the team as well.

 

[Derishton]

Well, Luongo played that first period by just starting up where he left off last season ... yikes.

 

[Winterwind]

Nevermind Luongo and the Canucks.

What about Toskala and the Leafs?

Outshooting Montreal 46-27 and losing 4-3 in OT. I won't blame Toskala for all of it (though he does need to be much better this year than last). I'm placing most of the blame on Komisarek. 15 minutes in penalties, with two PP goals while he was in the box. What a great way to just hand the game to your former team.

 

[Derishton]

There's an ice hockey team in Toronto? Why has the media never mentioned this?!?

 

[Canadave]

Nevermind Luongo and the Canucks.

What about Toskala and the Leafs?

Outshooting Montreal 46-27 and losing 4-3 in OT. I won't blame Toskala for all of it (though he does need to be much better this year than last). I'm placing most of the blame on Komisarek. 15 minutes in penalties, with two PP goals while he was in the box. What a great way to just hand the game to your former team.

Toskala could have been much better, though... 23 saves on 27 shots? Yikes! He really needs to step up his game if the Leafs are going to improve this year, and opening with an .851 save percentage is not the way to do that...

 

[JuanBolio]

I'm hoping the Red Wings can shake off the disappointment of losing the Cup on home ice. They lost a lot of talent in the offseason, so we'll see how they do. With Chicago on the rise, Detroit's strangehold on the Central Division these past few seasons might be in jeopardy. I guess we'll find out pretty soon!

Go Wings!

Seconded. Revenge is a dish best served cold.

 

[tomalak301]

Detroit got swept in Stockholm. Who would have thought that possible.

Are the aves a much better team than we give credit for. I'm really impressed by that Anderson kid in goal.

 

[AdmiralGarak]

Not a bad debut for Tavares. A power play goal and an assist. He had a great chance for a shortie, too, but Flower robbed him.



And a moment of silence for the Habs' season following Markov's injury.
...

...

...

Rest in peace, season 101. Gone before your time.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

Detroit got swept in Stockholm. Who would have thought that possible.

One can always hope.

The Blues are going to surprise a lot of people this season.

Are the aves a much better team than we give credit for.

I'm going to have to say, probably not. They've got a brutal road swing coming up and if they go 4-7 on it they'll be lucky.

I have liked what I've seen of Duchene though. I think he's going to be something special.

 

[Winterwind]

Bah! The Leafs are horrible. I didn't expect them to beat the Capitals but Toskala is playing like crap and our highly touted D is horrid. I know there are a lot of new players and it takes a while but to develop but Komisarek and Beauchemin have not impressed me in the least.

 

[Gil T.Azell]

I'm surprised by the good buzz around Vancouver ... normally, the national media pretty much ignores the Canucks in favor of nitty articles about the Leaf's latest overpaid fourth-stringer. And I'm also nervous, because high expectations have never served the Canucks particularly well.

Well after the 1st & 2nd games they look awful, or thing just don't bounce their way?

Well, Luongo played that first period by just starting up where he left off last season ... yikes.

There's an ice hockey team in Toronto? Why has the media never mentioned this?!?

Hey what’s the difference between a Cigarette Machine and the Leafs?






The Cigarette Machine has "Player's"

 

[BigFoot]

Finally.