The Official 2008-09 NHL Season Discussion Thread

Post by **batdad** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:50 pm

Aiyeeeee....I saw that name. Lock this thread. Quick. What next Inge Hammarstrom and Borje Salming. Aiyeeeee

gibson41 · Post by **gibson41** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:19 pm

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=405307

The Chicago Blackhawks announced tonight the team had a lucky fan win one million dollars, courtesy of the Illinois Lottery, during Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Wild.

Right wing Martin Havlat scored at the 10:00 mark of the second period, meaning a random fan, whose seat location was selected during the first period, won one million dollars in the "Illinois Lottery Million Dollar Minute." The winner has been notified and will be introduced before the Blackhawks game against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on Wednesday.

What a heck of a night that had to be for that lucky winner.

Post by **batdad** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:46 pm

Yeah...but his or her Hawks lost. What a downer!

The Hutch · Post by **The Hutch** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:56 am

So.... think the Islanders regret trading away Luongo because they had DiPietro?

Post by **batdad** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:59 am

Not if you ask Mr. Milbury. He will still tell you it was a good deal at the time. Plus NYI has sooooooo many problems not related to Dipietro it does not matter.

First and foremost...will Long Island still have a team in 2 years time? I doubt it.

The Hutch · Post by **The Hutch** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:09 am

Mad Mike, oh brutha!

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:17 am

Anyone watching the Super Skills competition? I aint but i just seen the fastest skater winner is Andrew Cogliano... I didn't realise he was that fast?

Hypnotist · Post by **Hypnotist** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:01 pm

I watched bits and pieces. The coverage is just awful on vs. I think they should move the all-star stuff to the end of the season like the NFL. Maybe then the players would give a better effort as they wouldn't be worried about getting an injury that would ruin the rest of their season and playoffs. To do it in the middle of the season just seems stupid.

Franck · Post by **Franck** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:05 pm

Hypnotist wrote:I watched bits and pieces. The coverage is just awful on vs. I think they should move the all-star stuff to the end of the season like the NFL. Maybe then the players would give a better effort as they wouldn't be worried about getting an injury that would ruin the rest of their season and playoffs. To do it in the middle of the season just seems stupid.

I suppose you forgot about the World Championships when you wrote that?

Hypnotist · Post by **Hypnotist** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:03 am

Franck wrote:I suppose you forgot about the World Championships when you wrote that?

World what!?

Just kidding...no I wasn't thinking about the WC. But don't those tend to go on during the playoffs rather than after?

Post by **batdad** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:34 am

Yeah, they go on during the playoffs, and the guys who play in them have already had their NHL season ended. Now the World Under 20's (real name of the World Juniors that we know in Canada) is a whole other kettle of fish. Tis junior though, and is different.

Hypnotist · Post by **Hypnotist** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:56 am

What happened to Fredrik Norrena? Did he get bought out after getting sent down? The I was surprised when Columbus picked up Dubielewicz off waivers as they seemed to have a glut of backup netminders (about the only thing they had a glut of). Can't find any info newer than him getting sent to Syracuse in early November.

Post by **batdad** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:34 am

I think they sent Norrena to Europe.

anyway....I think we could easily wake up tomorrow and there will be a new coach for the Edmonton Oilers. Um...that is brutal.

Lakrisal · Post by **Lakrisal** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:47 pm

wow... now I did think that Buffalo would beat the Oilers... but 10-2?!!

gibson41 · Post by **gibson41** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:45 pm

Zetterberg signed a 12-year extension with Wings. He's gonna be like 40 when it expires. Good for him...and good for Wings too. Way to go for both of them. I would like to know how much is he gonna make a year...my guess is not that much.

Post by **batdad** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:48 pm

And now...he is hurt. Hmmmmmm...Dipietro anyone?

Post by **Manimal** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:56 pm

Compared to what he'd get on the UFA market, Zetterberg is underpayed.
Apparently, its $7 million a year, with 6million on the cap. To me, Detroit got him cheap

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:58 pm

They always figure they can buy him out later in his contract. IIRC, this is a way of giving a player more while staying within the cap and the max $ per season restrictions.

Post by **batdad** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:23 pm

YEp, THe Deadthings call this guy the future to build around. Not to steal a line, but I read this on another board:

12 years ago, John LeClair was a 27 year old superstar forward coming off a 50 goal, 97 point campaign.

Eric Lindros was on pace to become one of the greatest players ever, and as a 23 year old put up 79 points in 52 games.

Brian Leetch was a 28 year old all-star defenseman who scored 78 points in 82 games.

Alex Mogilny was a 27 year old point per game sniper.

Pavel Bure was 25 and one of the most electrifying players in the game.

Zigmund Palffy was a 24 year old 48 goal scorer.

Tony Amonte was 26 and had just scored 40 goals

Wonder what we will say about Mr. Zetterberg in 12 years. it is one hell of a long long time. Buying out after say 6 years, would still have alot of $ against the cap for a long time (another 12 years as buyout payments double the time....so this could be a very very painful day in history for the Deadthings.

or...it could be the smartest move Holland has ever made. We won't know for 10 years. But IMHO with the economy and the way things are going in the league, Mr. Holland just jumped the shark. Way too unpredictable to give a 12 year deal.

Hypnotist · Post by **Hypnotist** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:45 pm

I've stopped second-guessing Mr. Holland. I used to rail against him trading away prospects and picks and signing older players. But with 4 cups in 11 years and never missing the playoffs in his tenure, there must be a reason he's running one of the NHL's flagship franchises and I'm not.

The only major deal that flubbed under Holland's command was the Bertuzzi deal. Uwe Krupp was a bust, but that was an injury problem. All other deals/signings for major players have payed out. Hossa, Stuart, Rafalski, Chelios, Verbeek, etc. Plus the "reclaimation" projects like Cleary & McCarty. The list goes on and on.

I'm not real big on these lifetime deals that are guaranteed. But then I'm not for guaranteed 1 year contracts. I've always thought the league should have been chasing releasable contracts (like the NFL) rather than a salary cap. Would have kept players honest and allowed teams to jettison coasting players. Would make for more entertaining games IMHO.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:50 pm

Obviously the Wings are getting a great deal here, but the only problem I have is that Z will still be hitting the cap at $6M when hes in his late 30's, and like most players, I'm sure his play won't be worth that much.

But I guess maybe that's a sacrifice you have to make when you get a guy to take a big hometown discount like that.

Post by **batdad** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:56 pm

Sorry Joe I don't think it is "obvious" that this is a good deal. I think for 2 or 3 years at 6 mill per its a great deal. For 11? 12? We are talking a possible mistake of massive proportions, just like Mr. Snow with Dipietro.

Again, tihs is not to say Zetterberg will tank, but man....not sure I do this if I am him. Holland has now made the guy untradeable if he does have an off time, and needs a change of scenery.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:08 pm

batdad wrote:Sorry Joe I don't think it is "obvious" that this is a good deal. I think for 2 or 3 years at 6 mill per its a great deal. For 11? 12? We are talking a possible mistake of massive proportions, just like Mr. Snow with Dipietro.

Again, tihs is not to say Zetterberg will tank, but man....not sure I do this if I am him. Holland has now made the guy untradeable if he does have an off time, and needs a change of scenery.

Well I meant as far as dollar figures go. But I do know what you mean, and I agree. I'm not a fan of long contracts. Its nice to know that your teams top players will be around for a long time, but like you said if they tank for whatever reason, you're stuck with them.

gibson41 · Post by **gibson41** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:59 pm

But, the Red Wings will be without the recently re-signed Henrik Zetterberg, who has been ruled out because of back spasms. Zetterberg left Tuesday's game with back spasms, and the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner will miss this contest one day after signing a 12-year, $73 million contract - the longest in franchise history.

lol, the dipietro syndrome came up quickly

jbsnadb · Post by **jbsnadb** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:29 pm

gibson41 wrote:
But, the Red Wings will be without the recently re-signed Henrik Zetterberg, who has been ruled out because of back spasms. Zetterberg left Tuesday's game with back spasms, and the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner will miss this contest one day after signing a 12-year, $73 million contract - the longest in franchise history.
lol, the dipietro syndrome came up quickly

I'm thinking more "Danny Briere".