The Official 2008-09 NHL Season Discussion Thread

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 4:48 pm

batdad wrote:Yes he is a class act...and he also wore his contact lenses for the first time this season last night...hmmm...Milan quote "It is like high definition TV vs regular TV". Duh Milan, duh.

As a part-time glasses wearer myself, that made me laugh, funny... but true. He's a big guy, but putting someone through the glass is huge, i was never aware of his checking ability, even he looked confused. Or was it a one off?

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:30 pm

He's a great, hard checker but I think he was a little surprised that he shattered the glass with that hit. If he looked a bit freaked, it might've been because he saw that a couple of fans were cut by some of the glass.

Franck · Post by **Franck** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 4:26 am

Noticed Stamkos got his first point tonight, I'm thinking him and most other players taken in the draft this year may have been rushed into the NHL too early.
Must have been fun for Atlanta to lose 7-0.

And what has happened to Ovechkin? He seems to have dissapeared.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 1:33 pm

I read that Ovechkin has taken some time off to fly back to Russia to be with his family. His grandfather is dying and he wanted to be with him before he passed away. He's supposed to be out for at least one game, maybe longer. I'm sure that's been weighing on him. That could explain a lot.

Franck · Post by **Franck** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:42 am

Oh, that does explain alot.

Post by **Manimal** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:13 am

I just saw the Ducks-Wings game and it was a real good one. 5-4 Ducks in OT. Nice goals, heavy hitting, good goalies, a hat-trick, a fight and even octopi on the ice! (frickin eejits...) Getzlaf was awesome and Selänne is still a good sniper

Franck · Post by **Franck** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:46 am

I watched that game aswell, pretty good, one of the better I've seen so far this year.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:33 pm

The Maple Leafs at Devils game was pretty good too, one team lead, then the others, then the others.

As far as the Ducks go, we don't win when Getzlaf doesn't shine. As shown by the start of the year, we struggled, so did Getzlaf. He then has a 5 point night, and the Ducks beat the possible favourites for the cup and go 5-0-0 in their last 5. And Selanne still has it. We just need to dump some salary so we can call up and give Bobby Ryan some time on the ice so he can TRY (which i doubt he, if anyone, can) to step into Teemu's skates, even though they are different players. We will need a lot of goals from him when Teemu decides to retire.

selne · Post by **selne** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:58 pm

The Canucks really surprise me!

Their goals for avarage is 3.1 and goals against 2.5 - good numbers if a team plays consistent.
Luongo is good, but without a good defense the best goalie can't do nothing.
And they have some strong defensive defensemen and these guys are suprisingly big!
Salo, Ohlund, Mitchel, O'brien, Davison, Edler all of them at least 6'3" and 210lbs.
They just need more discipline. Bieksa is the smallest with 6'0" but he's talented.

Their Offense is a bit unconsistent but a Sundin type player could make a huge impact.

What team suprised you most so far?

Post by **batdad** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:31 pm

Brian Burke fired. Shocking.

1. Toronto rumours
2. Horrible asset management playing Ryan on the farm, at least in many opinions.
3. The Mats Sundin thing the final straw? Was he pushing to get Mats and dump some other guys?
4. General Brian grumpiness worn thin?

selne · Post by **selne** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 8:47 pm

The Burke firing, i thought it was just a rumour.
Any official statements on it?

Post by **batdad** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:00 pm

TSN said something about a press conference this afternoon. He may not have been fired, they may have allowed him to quit

Post by **getzlaf15** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:14 pm

It's true, Bob Murray has been promoted to Burke's role. Burke has resigned and taken up a role as a special consultant.

1. Burkey, will probably sell us out for the Mapes. If he wants the Leafs who have less chance of winning stuff. Good Riddance. Probably selling out for the cash.
2. Not horrible batdad, disgusting when you consider we have players on the 4th line being paid over $1million (Marchant).
3. Glad we didn't (still hope we don't) Get Sundin, probably would cost us too much and would be a 2nd liner.
4. Bless him.

Burkey lead us to a cup, and another great chance this year. Will miss him.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 2:59 am

And Archie... NHL is being shown on 5 as we speak. It's not live though. It's the Blues at Sabres. Kariya's commentating just like the Mighty Ducks movie!

Hopefully more to come...

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:05 pm

Another casualty in the Coaching side of things. Lightning sack Barry Melrose and replace him with Rick Tocchet. I'm guessin its just because of the poor start they had.

Post by **Manimal** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:17 pm

I think Burke wants to go home to Canada. It will be tough for Bob Murray after this season. I heard somewhere that the Ducks have 15 UFAs!

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:05 pm

Thats most probably true. We're losing a hell of a lot over this summer as things stand. The way it looks at the moment, is that we are losing all our 23 man roster, except for Getzlaf, Perry, Kunitz, Selanne and Carter for Forwards. Only Pronger on Defense and both Goalies Giggy and Hiller have at least 1 year each. We don't have a huge amount of prospects comeing through as of yet, MacMillan and Mitera have no experice in the AHL, only junior and collegiate. Ryan is a sure thing for the NHL, when we sort our salaries out.

Obviously we will sign some of the guys up for more years, but we are still losing a hell of a lot. And he will struggle mightly...

Post by **Manimal** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:29 pm

Too bad because you've got a good, entertaining team. I'm gonna watch the game tonight

Hypnotist · Post by **Hypnotist** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:38 pm

getzlaf15 wrote:Another casualty in the Coaching side of things. Lightning sack Barry Melrose and replace him with Rick Tocchet. I'm guessin its just because of the poor start they had.

Link I'm not a Melrose fan, but I think this was premature (due to the wholesale changes in personel, players & staff) and prolly had more to do with Stamkos' lack of ice time than win/loss record. They didn't play badly against the Wings last night.

Welcome to the new management...the old management. I think they are rushing Stamkos like they did Lacavalier. They're going to kill him with over-expectations.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:58 am

Manimal wrote:Too bad because you've got a good, entertaining team. I'm gonna watch the game tonight

We have indeed. Sad to see the old faces leave. We need Pahlsson back, he's such a fan favourite. I think people like Marchant are expendable. But maybe we can make some signings of the existing roster and new players that will help us stay at the level we have built ourselves to be at...

Franck · Post by **Franck** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:58 am

Watching the Blues @ Blackhawks game, pretty good game.
First 15 mins were awesome with 4 goals and 4 fights.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 12:47 am

Oof, Beauchemin tore his ACL the other night and will miss 6 months. Let's focus on the positives... Bobby Ryan call up!

selne · Post by **selne** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 2:22 am

If Ryan gets a call up, would you put him on a bottom line with lower minutes and maybe pp duty,
or a top line with more icetime?? And how would you rate his progress so far ?? Too much AHL??

I'm asking cause i see some similarities between Ryan and Tavares.
Tavares seems to be bored or even frustrated playing in juniors just like Ryan in the AHL.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:21 am

Ryan has already been called up, along with Brett Festerling. I'd give him time on the 2nd line, at least, i think he can be dynamite if given the right chance. His brief time in the NHL last season he was a hit, he has amazingly good hands and a great passer, he could compliment Teemu well. I'd give him some PP time too, to see how he fairs. But i think they'll be a lot of trial and error to start with...

As for Tavares, he shouldn't have been so impatient in joining the OHL, he was a year too young when he was drafted. The guy has talent no doubt. But impatient. He wanted to play in the AHL with Toronto this year didn't he...?

Franck · Post by **Franck** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:23 am

I think his agent was looking at that option, yes.
Some Swiss team wanted to sign him aswell.