NHL

[jay]

I've seen a few posts where members talk about the NHL, but haven't seen a thread devoted to it. While I'm not a big fan, it is interesting to watch, in a sad sort of way, what's happening to my hometown team, the Washington Capitals. About the only thing I know about Hockey is that it's a fun game in person, I got to see the Capitals beat the Bruins in the Garden a long time ago, and Rod Langway's name was on a great bar/eatery in Lanham, Maryland.

What's the scoop? Are all the teams losing money? Will there be a lockout?

[kemosabe]

Personally, I think that there will be a lockout next season. Plus, I think some teams will cease to exist if/when hockey owners and the player's union agree to whatever they can agree to.

A prolonged lockout is what Big Ted "Let Me Punch You" Leonsis is betting on when he traded most/all of the Capital (star) players like Jaromir Jagr et al...

I've only been to one Caps game, and that was back before they imploded the old Capital Centre... I much prefer the NFL and NASCAR!!!

[jay]

Originally posted by kemosabe
...

I much prefer the NFL and NASCAR!!!

Me too. Between the NFL and NASCAR, I have a reason to drink beer every weekend of the year! Except leap year weekends and Mothers Day. Gotta visit Mom, so that's ok, but what's this crap with no race on a leap year weekend? Notice how there is always a race on Father's Day?

[kemosabe]

Actually, I've been kind of following this story: "Colorado forward Steve Moore will miss the rest of the NHL season with a broken neck, the result of an on-ice attack by Vancouver's Todd Bertuzzi."

Seems like kind of a light punishment, if you ask me... But like I said, I'm not a true hockey connoisseur, so...........

[Art]

Originally posted by kemosabe
Actually, I've been kind of following this story: "Colorado forward Steve Moore will miss the rest of the NHL season with a broken neck, the result of an on-ice attack by Vancouver's Todd Bertuzzi."

Seems like kind of a light punishment, if you ask me... But like I said, I'm not a true hockey connoisseur, so...........

Wonder why Bertuzzi isn't in jail, if you walked up to someone on the street and did that, you would. Oh...and......GO WINGS..

[Samuel2003]

What goes around comes around. Apparently, Moore had done something a week or so before. The NHL allows far too much lameness (cheap shots, cheesy plays, etc) and rulebending/breaking in their games. That being said, this one was a real cowardly sucker punch/attack.

[fireflock]

I enjoy the NHL, and follow the local team (Carolina Hurricanes) pretty closely.

The thing that get me the most about the NHL is the refs. I know it's easy for fans to complain about the refs, but I think there is a level of consistancy and commitment to accuracy by refs in the NFL and NBA that is absent in the NHL. In my opinion, it is a systematic problem (steming from the NHL offices) rather than a characteristic of the individual refs.
I really wonder some time if the fans of other pro sports would put up with what NHL fans put up with when it comes to the officials.

Mark Cuban needs to buy an NHL team, and then let his ref-bashing statistics gurus loose on the league office

[vellinga]

Great thread, Jay.

Originally posted by jay
What's the scoop? Are all the teams losing money? Will there be a lockout?

re. Losing $
Like the other pro-teamsports, a few teams are making money (some making lots of money) and several teams are losing money (some losing lots of money). Personally, I think that contraction in Hockey, Baseball, and Basketball would be good for each league.

re. Lockout
I cringe to think it and cringe more to say it, but given the track record of owner/player relations, it looks like the 2004-05 season is is jeopardy, due to the greed of both sides. Too bad.

re. Playoffs coming up.
Tighten your seatbelts, the NHL playoffs are coming. April, May and June. Wow. Hockey is great to watch anytime, but during the playoffs, it is high energy, non-stop action. Check it out.

Go Leafs!

[GoAvs]

Originally posted by Samuel2003
What goes around comes around. Apparently, Moore had done something a week or so before. The NHL allows far too much lameness (cheap shots, cheesy plays, etc) and rulebending/breaking in their games. That being said, this one was a real cowardly sucker punch/attack.

The Canucks were up in arms over an open-ice hit by Moore on Naslund a couple of weeks before.. Though a staunch Avalanche fan, I thought the hit was clean. No penalty was called at the time and the NHL reviewed the hit and didn't assess a fine or suspension.

Funny thing is, the Canuck and Av's played a game in Denver a week before the infamous Bertuzzi punch and nothing happened. The Canuck players must've decided to wait until they were at home to seek they're revenge.

GoAvs!

[kemosabe]

Originally posted by fireflock
[ S N I P P E D ]

The thing that get me the most about the NHL is the refs. I know it's easy for fans to complain about the refs, but I think there is a level of consistancy and commitment to accuracy by refs in the NFL and NBA that is absent in the NHL.

[ S N I P P E D ]

[kemosabe]

Originally posted by vellinga
[ S N I P P E D ]
re. Losing $
Like the other pro-teamsports, a few teams are making money (some making lots of money) and several teams are losing money (some losing lots of money). Personally, I think that contraction in Hockey, Baseball, and Basketball would be good for each league.
[ S N I P P E D ]

Some teams are losing money so bad that they've lost the shirts off their backs, too...

...new uniforms for the Washington Capitals!!!

[fireflock]

Any Leafs fans here?

What do the fine fans in Toronto think about Ron Francis now that they have seen him in a few games wearing blue?

[borg]

Originally posted by kemosabe


Some teams are losing money so bad that they've lost the shirts off their backs, too...

...new uniforms for the Washington Capitals!!!

Not only do they have to skate around in those skin tight uny's, they are using figure skates.......whatup wit dat?

I also think that a lockout is imminent, I just cant see the owners & NHLPA members coming to an agrrement before next season.

Big BERT (BERTUZZI) is actually under investigation by the local PD for the attack on MOORE but I doubt he'll get more than a slap on the wrist.

I also agree that referee's are part of the problem, too many unwritten rules. The players & coaches try to guess which penalties will be called depending on how the game is progressing.......as someone else said, very inconsistent.

Ron Francis is a class act, too bad the Leafs arent........( not a Leafs Fan).

Not a NASCAR fan either but I'm a big fan of the ultimate motorsport....F1.

Back to hockey...the success of any team depends a lot on one person, the goaltender. Look at Giguirre & Brodeur from last years final, they were phenominal. I think Marty & the Devils will be back in the finals this year but Jiggy wont even play in the post season. I have a feeling that Kiprusof from Calgary will take Jiggys spot as the underdog who takes his team deep into the playoffs..maybe even the finals. It makes me sick thinking that when I'm a die hard Oiler's fan that hates anything to do with the Flames....aaaargh

How about a hockey pool, nayone interested in heading this up?

I dont have the resource/knowledge to set it up, otherwise I'd volunteer.

Go OILERS!

[Stevie B]

Originally posted by borg




Go OILERS!

Silly, the Oilers haven't been the Oilers for years. They're the Titans now and they've moved to Tennessee.

[borg]

Originally posted by Stevie B


Silly, the Oilers haven't been the Oilers for years. They're the Titans now and they've moved to Tennessee.

borg=><=Stevie B