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Post by Edward Thomas Swan on Sept 5, 2009 18:33:10 GMT -5
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Post by SWASHBUCKLER on Sept 5, 2009 21:42:24 GMT -5
WHENEVER THE LEAFS ARE INVOLVED, ALL FANS ACROSS CANADA GET INVOLVED IN THE SPECULATION. I DON'T THINK THEY TRY 4 KESSEL. THOSE IDIOT OILER FANS WOULD LOVE FOR THIS 2 HAPPEN SO THEY CAN RAG ON BURKE FOR PUTTING OUT AN OFFER SHEET ON AN RFA. IN FACT, ALL FANS TO THE WEST OF T.O LOVE TO FIND ANYTHING POSSIBLE, JUST TO RANT ABOUT THE LEAFS. BURKE HAS THINGS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION HERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A STONE AGE. IN BRIAN WE TRUST. UNLESS UR A HABS FAN THEN U HAVE NOTHING TO BRING TO THE TABLE IN THE WAY OF (BETTER THAN THE LEAFS) CUZ THEY'RE THE ONLY CANADIAN TEAM TO WIN A CUP IN THE LAST 20 YRS. SENS FANS, YEAH THEY MADE THE FINAL A COUPLE YRS AGO. BUT I'M HOPING THE LEAFS CAN FOLLOW THE SAME 6 YR PLAN AND SUCK FOR THAT LONG IN ORDER TO PICK UP THE TOP PLAYER IN THE DRAFT EVERY YEAR, SO THEY CAN GET BETTER. THE VANCOUVER LUONGOS ARE SELF EXPLANATORY. NO ONE ELSE TICKLES MY FANCY IN CANADA. LETS GET THE HOCKEY BLOOD BOILING RIGHT NOW, HOCKEYS AROUND THE CORNER BOYZ.
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Post by atlantaisburning on Sept 6, 2009 16:42:02 GMT -5
Remo- you're Onterrible is showing... There are other teams West of T.O. I'll get to that in a second....
First, Oiler fans have nothing to nit-pick RE: RFA offers. Burke was very clear that he had no issue with an offer sheet- that's well within the rules. His issue was with giving an unproven player so much money. Penner had very little experience in the league, and for his second contract should have received a 10-20% bonus and signed. But Lowe gave him stupid money. Now they're paying for it.
It's so bizarre that the contract came from Edmonton. The team that has been massacred by unpayable players (Geurin, Arnott, Weight, Comrie, Smyth, Carter, etc. etc. etc.) and then overpays two RFAs (Vanek, though he re-signed, and is close to his value)
Second, while Ottawa did stink for a long time- those players weren't the keys to their turnaround. In fact, Alfredsson was a late rounder, Spezza and Chara came from the Yashin trade (I guess Yashin was picked early...)- but their highly drafted first rounders held them back. Redden sucks, Daigle, Bonk, Chris Phillips never live up to his bill, Chouinard, etc. Top this off with a complete lack of character and leadership (Spezza, Alfie, Emery and Heatley were the core... is ANYONE surprised they lost?)
Toronto may have another high first rounder, but I don't think they'll ever be a team to draft in the top 5 every year for a few years. They've bottomed out at 7th worst, and look to be on the uphill swing.... maybe one more rough year.
But as far as no other Canadian teams tickling your fancy?
Hello CALGARY!!!! That team looks poised for big things. Bouwmeester and Regehr in the lineup will take so much pressure of Phaneuf, who has more 'presence' than any other d-man in the league. Even though he makes mistakes, and is the most hate-able player in the league, he will have a big year when reunited with his junior coach.
Speaking of which, they still have Iggy, Langkow, Moss, Glencross, Jokinen, and a ton of gritty forwards.
This team is for real. Paging Miika Kiprusoff. Please return to form.
Can't wait for the season, for tsn.ca, I'm Allan Bailey.
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Post by Edward Thomas Swan on Sept 6, 2009 16:52:07 GMT -5
Second, while Ottawa did stink for a long time- those players weren't the keys to their turnaround. In fact, Alfredsson was a late rounder, Spezza and Chara came from the Yashin trade (I guess Yashin was picked early...)- but their highly drafted first rounders held them back. Redden sucks, Daigle, Bonk, Chris Phillips never live up to his bill, Chouinard, etc. Top this off with a complete lack of character and leadership (Spezza, Alfie, Emery and Heatley were the core... is ANYONE surprised they lost?) Spezza was drafted by the Sens with a pick they got in the Yashin deal. And Calgary is only a good team if they have the cap room to dress a full team this year  |
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Post by SWASHBUCKLER on Sept 6, 2009 17:20:00 GMT -5
I THINK U BOTH MAKE VALID POINTS ABOUT THE FLAMERS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS, 23RD IN THE LEAGUE IN GOALS AGAINST HAS TO IMPROVE DRASTICALLY FOR THEM TO BE CONSIDERED A SERIOUS CONTENDER. IT'S EXTREMELY FUNNY THAT THE SENS PICKED UP SPEZZA AS A RESULT OF TRADING AWAY YASHIN. WOW, I JUST FOUND OUT THAT REGEHR WAS BORN IN BRAZIL. THOUGHT THEY ONLY USED ICE IN DRINKS DOWN THERE WHILE WATCHING OR PLAYING SOCCER OR FUTEBOL.
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Post by atlantaisburning on Sept 6, 2009 20:39:01 GMT -5
RE: Spezza being picked... I said that too- I was just trying to point out that the Sens didn't exactly follow the same model that the Pens or Hawks have flourished under.
Hossa led to Heatley, and Yashin led to Spezza and Chara... so I guess those players did come as direct results from good draft picks from shitty seasons.. but the Sens team was not a 'tank to the bank'. In fact, before this season, that logic was flawed as only 1 of the last 20 1st overall picks had won a cup.
The Flames not having cap space last season is bush league. I mean- yeah, injuries got them good... But everyone has injuries. Not being able to fill a roster is bush league. I get the feeling with 3-4 Sutter's in the organization they'll be much tougher this year. Iron Mike is a #$!#%!
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Post by screamineagles on Sept 8, 2009 9:13:45 GMT -5
I honestly can't wait to watch the flames this year, I think kipper is going to have a great season since the sutters have never cared how much blow he does, and he's always been at his best when he's snorting at least half his paycheque, Keenan hurt him big time, as he does every goalie he crosses paths with, so I think Calgary should be the far and away winners in the NW, especially with vancouver not doing anything of real significance this year other than losing their best defenseman, which will probably hurt them a lot.
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Post by dustin on Sept 8, 2009 12:08:36 GMT -5
As I live in Calgary I have to say I can't wait to watch them this year!!! They are ok with the cap. They filled holes they had and I still expect at least one more trade before the season starts because they have 1 1/2 teams in roster guys that can play in the NHL. They have the sickest D I have seen in years and Sutter ( the other one.. ) will put Phanuef back in line. Plus if he was as hurt as they say he was last year, I can't believe he was even playing! I have been ragging on his play for the past couple years so I am hoping he is back to the way he can play!!! Kipper is Kipper....I think as long as he doesn't play 102 games in a year, he will just fine. Plus maybe we will actually be able to see how good that...what's his name is. I think you will see a little more Flames of old this year with both their Goals For and Goals Against both go down. That Division is theirs to lose in my opinion! |
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Post by Edward Thomas Swan on Sept 8, 2009 12:13:43 GMT -5
the Flames are going to be so BORING to watch this year...they may be competitive in the weak Northwest Division, but they're going to be a "shut them down, hope Iginla gets a hat trick" team....which mays lead to wins, but will be boring to watch.
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Post by dustin on Sept 8, 2009 13:42:44 GMT -5
I agree it may be boring...Hope not though!! Unless all we see is big hits and then I'm ok with that!
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