NHL (National Hockey League)

[Sanouske]

Does anyone else keep up with the NHL or just a team or two? In a couple of the other sports threads I saw there were some other people who played or enjoyed hockey. =p

Anyways, I am a Minnesota Wild fan. (I wonder why =p) They have had a few cold strings this year, but they have had injuries to some key players (Demitra and Koivu) and have been playing very solid as of late. If they stay healthy I think they can take one of the top 3 seeds in the West. Hopfully the inconsistancy will disappeare with their regualar players regualarly in the line-up. :)

If you would like info on the NHL here is a link to a place you can most likely find your answer. (or just ask me XD)
http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/nhl/index

[BlackBlade]

I am a Panthers fan myself (I wonder why also...?). They are like the underdog team in the league, and are doing really well so far this year! They just won 8-0 against the Maple Leaves, in Canada; that was a really interesting game to watch! I don't know or keep up with most of the individual players on the team, except Olli Jokinen. I cannot wait to see how far they go. ;-)

[mercer_sensei]

I have never watched hockey, so I dont understand whats so great about it, but some of my friends that go to hockey games say the atmosphere at a game is incredible. I need to go sometime...

[Sanouske]

@BB: They are in the hunt for the playoffs, but they are going to be a bubble team for sure.

@mercer_sensei: They are right. =p Once you understand all the rules it is awsome. :) Plus the game moves so fast (especially at the higher levels). I suppose everyone has their preferences though. =p

[flaunt]

For anyone who thinks they are a masochist for supporting their NHL team... I'm a Maple Leafs fan -- that's sado-masochism! XD

Anyway, we're in a effin' mess. We've got a 'temp' GM who hasn't been in the game since the middle ages, a management that is filled with politician wannabes and mediocre talent taking up 80% of our salary cap. We need to blow the whole thing up, and I can't help but wonder, why aren't we tanking?

I love Sundin, but we've got to 'rent' him out to a championship team -- not just for us to snag a couple of high picks (they don't even have to be 1st rounders, just a whole bunch of 2nd round & 3rd rounders - build depth), but also for our captain's sake. Let him have a championship run damnit! Then we'll take him back in the summer and have him mentor the kids we get.

Injuries don't help our cause, and is a big reason why we suck so bad, but when you look at your team's roster and there's nobody there who makes you go 'WOW!' (or build your fantasy team around), you know it's bad.

Toronto! Sign me to be GM. I have no experience (which didn't hurt ex-GM John Ferguson), but I've competed in every fantasy game I've ever played which includes baseball & basketball. Didn't win stuff, but always made playoffs -- that counts. And I've got an eye for player scouting, I place emphasis on youth, skills and athleticism, so you know I'll find a way to trim 90% of our current roster if you give me the chance. And here's another big deal... I'll hire the best scouts in the world for our organization, I'll even work for cheaper so you can spend more on their salaries -- that way, maybe in... 5 or 6 years, we'll actually have a hockey team again.

Sigh.

[Sanouske]

I have always liked the Leafs as well. Not to the extent you do obviously, but I always liked the tough grind it out game they used to have a few years ago. I am not as familiar with their current players, but I do agree with your thoughts on Sundin. He deserves a chance to win a cup. (Just don't trade him to detroit, I am anti-Red Wings =p) I it would be awsome if the Wild could land him. =p The Wild need another legitimate scoring threat (to score goals). They have Gabby and Rolston, but they could use another player who can score between 30-40 goals on their roster. That is wishful thinking though. =p The Wild would never trade the picks and young players required to get a player like Sundin.

[flaunt]

Yeah, the Wild wouldn't do it. But I can imagine a team like the Penguins might... can you imagine having Crosby & Sundin working on 1st line and PP or even just having Mats in the 2nd line -- there's just no respite for the opposing team.

Of course Sundin currently has an active 'no-trade' clause, meaning that any deal Toronto agrees to, also needs Sundin's agreement. Sundin says he doesn't want to leave the Leafs, and that's great, but he could really help the rebuilding project. :(

I love the Leafs, but I'm not an expert, not the way the rest of Toronto is an expert on them :D 4 million people in that city all think they could do a better job of managing the Leafs... talk about pressure. :)

[Sanouske]

lol, you didn't even metion Malkin. =p With Crosby hurt he has been lighting it up as of late. :) But ya, the Pens would definetly have a great offense if those three played on the same team. :)

[flaunt]

Oh gawd. I'd give Andrew Raycroft's left testicle for Malkin. Gawd, who's the scouting director for the Pens? He/she/it is a freakin' genius with serious eyes for talent. Crosby they lucked out. Malkin -- that's genius.

I'd give Raycroft's right testicle for one of the Staal brothers. Maybe both, but that assumes Raycroft's got more balls than he goaltends with -- which is none.

[Sanouske]

lol, you are very tough on him. XD Didn't they sign Toskula to be their #1 guy? Anyways, Malkin was a no brainer top pick as well. =p The pens did luck out......They sucked during the right years which got them those picks. =p