NHL

[Miffed22001]

Not sure how many of you guys across the pond are hockey fans but great news yesterday that all the stalling and negotiating has finished and the hockey season will start again.
Get in!!!!!

[a500lbgorilla]

I hockey.

But even greater news than the hockey season comming back but the pens got Sidney Crosby!

-'rilla

[Miffed22001]

Pens could do with mike tyson with all the fighting they do :P

[Muxy]

I am so dissapointed where Sidney Crosby went. .

[Miffed22001]

I know why the pens.
They arent exactly good are they.

Damn flyers bought out amonte and leclair. Betetr get some quality in to replace em.

[a500lbgorilla]

I know why the pens.
They arent exactly good are they.

Damn flyers bought out amonte and leclair. Betetr get some quality in to replace em.

Just throwing it out there. But do you think we could get enough true interest in a fantasy hockey league?

-'rilla

[evman150]

I felt so screwed when they announced the Flames got the 26th pick. What horrible luck.

Crosby in Pittsburgh is okay. He can learn from Lemieux for a couple years. With Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marc Andre Fleury the Pens look pretty good for the future.

I can't wait for the free agent season to start on August 1. Rumours have the Flames looking at Eric Lindros and/or Bobby Holik.

Interesting...

[a500lbgorilla]

We've had so many top draft pics recently, we better damn well be ready.

-'rilla

[Muxy]

I would seriously be interested in an online fantasy hockey league for sure.

[Miffed22001]

count me in

Flames for lindross That would be a coup

[realgenius]

Hockey Schmockey! I hate the NHL. I love the international game, but I really dislike the NHL. I was so happy to see them go to a lockout, and not have to sit through Hockey highlights every night on ESPN. As much as I have respect for older players like Lemieux, Hull, Shannahan, etc most of the players are big oafs looking for a fight. And it's not that I don't like violence, it's utterly stupid in the NHL and completely unnecessary. As proud as I may be to be an American, I think we destroyed that sport. Only a year or so to go till the Olympics, I'll definately be watching then.

[Miffed22001]

Interesting opinon.
I can understand the idea, dont agree but respect it none-the-less. I just love the game no matter how violent etc.

Love the olympics as well. Great to see some of the best players against one another.

[a500lbgorilla]

So we've got 3, I'd like to see atleast 8. Anyone else interested in playing a fantasy hockey league?

-'rilla

[evman150]

As proud as I may be to be an American, I think we destroyed that sport.

WTF?

How have Americans destroyed the sport?

[AvatarKava]

I'm in.

[BobbySalami]

I shed a tear the day the NHL announced it came to agreement....It was beautiful not having hockey pollute the radios, tvs, and arenas around the country........

Sorry fellas

[Muxy]

I shed a tear the day the NHL announced it came to agreement....I was beautiful not having hockey pollute the radios, tvs, and arenas around the country........

Sorry fellas

Kickban!!!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!?!

[realgenius]

America ruined hockey, really i only mean the NHL, by promoting the violence aspect of the game. You don't see that kind of crap in the international game. People go to jail on a daily basis for the same thing that no talent hack hockey players make a living at. Just my opinion. I love seeing a good hard check into the boards, that's hockey. A guy retaliating with bare fists or a high slashing stick is thuggery. Which, with the exception of the few older superstars, is what the NHL has been reduced too. Again, just my opinion. Call me when the Olympics start.

[Bmxicle]

I wouldn't mind doing the fantasy hockey league thing.

[a500lbgorilla]

Alright, that's 5. We need atleast 3 more.

-'rilla

[evman150]

America ruined hockey, really i only mean the NHL, by promoting the violence aspect of the game. You don't see that kind of crap in the international game. People go to jail on a daily basis for the same thing that no talent hack hockey players make a living at. Just my opinion. I love seeing a good hard check into the boards, that's hockey. A guy retaliating with bare fists or a high slashing stick is thuggery. Which, with the exception of the few older superstars, is what the NHL has been reduced too. Again, just my opinion. Call me when the Olympics start.

I don't think you know much about hockey.

Hockey was a violent sport long before the Americans made up a measley 14% of the NHL. Fighting is actually down in the last decade. I would hate to hear your opinion of the Broad Street Bullies of the 70s.

Americans really have nothing to do with it. It is our game. We play it the way it is meant to be played. Euros play it like a bunch of pussies. You talk about slashing sticks, well that is the Euros' bread and butter. They are legendary for their stickwork. Euros are dirty players. They will break your wrists with a slash. Canadians will just knock you out with a punch that'll have you back on your feet in two minutes.

Again I think you overestimate the American role in the sport of hockey. They are a second tier hockey nation along with the likes of Slovakia, Finland and Sweden. They lag behind the powers Canada, Russia and Czech. Their influence on the game is minimal. It is a Canadian game with mostly Canadian players played in a Canadian way.

And that's the way we like it and most of us really don't give a shit if the american public thinks the sport is too "violent".

And I'm in for the fantasy league if you haven't already counted me rilla.

[vqc]

San Jose Sharks all the way thank you.

Anyone see Cheechoo's between the legs goal in the playoffs?

[Miffed22001]

i wasnt really really a chechoo fan, thought he was a bit of a pussy.
Now im open to the idea he has some talent after his playoff performances and that goal was a stunner.

[michael1123]

Wee, hockey's back.

I'm rather happy with Crosby going to the Pens. Much MUCH better than the Rangers, and the Pens are always my second favorite team while Mario is healthy (enough to play at least) and on the roster.

[realgenius]

How can someone from Canada not think that America has hindered the game. I mean you're right, few of the players are actually American, yet it was corporate america that destroyed the NHL. How many teams are left in Canada???? If I were Canadian I would hate what the NHL has become. As for the violence, I couldn't say if it used to be worse, maybe it seems worse now because of television, and all of the replays and media attention that it gets.

Milwaukee had 2 chances in the last decade or so to get an NHL franchise, but opted to keep our IHL team. It may be "minor league", but I think it's a better product. But that could be true only because I can go to the games, and we have a really good team.

Evman, I totally agree with you about Americas place in the hockey world, I'm really only talking about the Corporate America influence, that you'd have to admit has really changed the NHL over the past 10-15 years, and I don't think for the better.

I used to be a casual Maple Leafs fan in the early 90's, but the league changed so much in the 90's, the casual fan couldn't follow all the changes. Suddenly I didn't know anyone on the leafs roster. Where was Doug Gilmour, Where was Dave Andrychuck (or however you spell it). I'd have to go online to find out, and back then connecting to ESPN.com with a 14.4 modem was a HUGE time drain. So I gave up. And the league is still changing.

Ok, so maybe it's not all about the violence, but it is a very hard sport for a casual fan to follow.

[Grand_MasterB]

i would definately be up for a fantasy hockey league.

[Miffed22001]

i cant comment on reals comments on how the leagues used to be. Ive only been able to watch for three years or so. I was surprisingly impressed at the more 'minor' leagues level of competency. I wont talk about american corporatism, im not american. but i think it does more bad than good, but i love the game for what it is and i mjust glad its back in some form.

Oh, and bring on the fantasy league although i guess ill only be one place.
Bottom

[a500lbgorilla]

Alright, I'm gonna open a fantasy league. If you have some big hockey fan friends, feel free to invite them along as well.

I'll get to it after my grinding session dis mornin'.

-'rilla

[Miffed22001]

Yeah


(couldnt resist a shot at the new smilies)

[Jacko912]

First time poster, long time lurker. I would love to be a part of any fantasy hockey league. The new season should be interesting with new rules and a new cap, and as a loyal Canucks fan, I'm willing to forgive and forget the events of the past years in the hope that the new game will be enjoyable for both the players and the fans.

If you get a league going.. I'm in.

[a500lbgorilla]

Yah, we'll definitly have a leauge. We have to wait though, yahoo isnt opening their hockey leagues yet.

-'rilla

[Miffed22001]

damn yahoo
i've seen faster snails :P

[Tim Vecchioni]

GO CAPITALS!

[DWDuck]

Hey 'Rilla, sign me up. I'll be the hated Leafs fan of the group.

Darkwing

[Miffed22001]

c'mon the flyers

[greggy]

Finally!!

[Muxy]

c'mon the flyers

[Miffed22001]

niewendyke to florida

wtf

[Miffed22001]

ROENICK TO LA arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WTF

[a500lbgorilla]

ROENICK TO LA arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
WTF

But Philly gets Forsberg... so I think philly fans are happy.

-'rilla

[dodgerfan29]

i'm down for the fantasy league..still gonna be rootin for my kings