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- Communist China
- Rep: 130
Re: The NHL 2007-08 Season Thread
That was a fucking unbelievable atmosphere and to be there as it all happens was amazing. I am really proud of the way the city handled this, and I could see it becoming a yearly thing (as long as the Bills continue to miss the playoffs). I would like it to always be in Buffalo, but hockey is huge in some other places like Minnesota, Detroit and Philly. Unfortunately Vikings and Lions are in a dome.
Anyway, Mike Greenberg was talking about how much he loved the game on Mike and Mike this morning, and I've never heard him mention hockey before. Heads were turned. It was a great game, and a certain positive for the NHL. Maybe watching an indoor game on TV isn't the same, but going to the arena will be that exciting for non-fans.
- Communist China
- Rep: 130
Re: The NHL 2007-08 Season Thread
The Heritage Classic was in 2003. If that's what you're reffering to.
Re: The NHL 2007-08 Season Thread
^^ You have a good point about Minn & Detroit, but maybe they could play in college stadiums or something. Could you imagine the Red Wings at Michigan?!
Philly's too warm to try it on New Years. The last few years it's been about 60 or so, this year was colder, 40's maybe. But it wouldn't surprise me if they jump on the bandwagon next year & have a game or two outside in February. I think all northern teams should try it out. The southern state fans would probably enjoy watching it. Only problem is the Eagles owners an ass & thinks he owns his stadium even though taxes paid for 60% of it. They might have to play in the baseball stadium, which is just as nice. Anyway, I think the NHL will continue this & northern teams should try 2-4 outside games/year.
Re: The NHL 2007-08 Season Thread
The Winter Classic is cool, but there's one major flaw; the game isn't struggling in the Northeast. It's non-traditional markets like Nashville, Atlanta, Tampa, and Phoenix that would benefit most from something like this. Unfortunately, it could never happen as those climates could never hold a game outdoors. As much as Gary Bettman wants it to, the NHL will never be as big in the US as MLB, NFL, or NBA. If they are looking to expand, it may be time to look at growing the product in Europe, where hockey is already a very popular sport. I know it creates a lot of travel issues, but it might be necessary to the longterm success of the league. Meanwhile, if that Euro-Asian league opens its doors next year, it could create a major problem in attracting the best players to the NHL. The league needs to do something to stave off the competition.
- Communist China
- Rep: 130
Re: The NHL 2007-08 Season Thread
Is it possible to end a player's career after a sucker-punch and a disgusting hit, with a few other little cheap slashes in between? If so, Downie should be gone. He is a bad person and a pussy. He wears a fucking visor and he pulls that shit. I like the visors but dont wear them if you're going to punch a guy in the eye. Only bad people do that with a visor on.
Re: The NHL 2007-08 Season Thread
Is it possible to end a player's career after a sucker-punch and a disgusting hit, with a few other little cheap slashes in between? If so, Downie should be gone. He is a bad person and a pussy. He wears a fucking visor and he pulls that shit. I like the visors but dont wear them if you're going to punch a guy in the eye. Only bad people do that with a visor on.
Hey, take it easy on him, he's a goal scorer now 
He's changed his game 
Re: The NHL 2007-08 Season Thread
So Ovechkin signed a big contract today. $124 million over 13 years. I think that by the end of that deal, Washington will have a bargain. But I thought the cap era was supposed to mark the end of big salaries in the league. I'm also not sure about all these long term deals. 15 years for DiPietro, 12 years for Mike Richards. At least Ovechkin is a superstar who's likely to still be worth his cap value in 13 years. I'm not sure about DiPietro or Richards. If any of them get injured, the teams are screwed.
Re: The NHL 2007-08 Season Thread
So Ovechkin signed a big contract today. $124 million over 13 years. I think that by the end of that deal, Washington will have a bargain. But I thought the cap era was supposed to mark the end of big salaries in the league. I'm also not sure about all these long term deals. 15 years for DiPietro, 12 years for Mike Richards. At least Ovechkin is a superstar who's likely to still be worth his cap value in 13 years. I'm not sure about DiPietro or Richards. If any of them get injured, the teams are screwed.
Yeah, I was really shocked about Mike Richards. He's ok, but not worth signing for 12 years?? Not in my opinion at least. DiPietro makes a little more sense as goalies are a little like Piutchers & QB's, hard to come by. In 10 years $10mil/year will probably seem cheap, but the problem is if it is the players will probably hold out anyway, to renegotiate. I can't blame the teams though in a way, look at Brodeur, fortunately he stayed with NJ but if he ever left that franchise would not have nearly been as good the last 10+ years.
CC, I agree about Downie. Hockey doesn't need goons like him anymore. Thankfully Clarke isn't our GM anymore, because reportedly Paul Holmgren ripped into Downie. Clarke however (Executive VP or something) commended Downie & said that's how the game should be played. No wonder the Flyers went into the toilet last year under Clarke as he kept bringing in goons and muckers & grinders while Buffalo & the NHL went towards Russians & speed.
Re: The NHL 2007-08 Season Thread
DiPietro makes a little more sense as goalies are a little like Piutchers & QB's, hard to come by. In 10 years $10mil/year will probably seem cheap, but the problem is if it is the players will probably hold out anyway, to renegotiate. I can't blame the teams though in a way, look at Brodeur, fortunately he stayed with NJ but if he ever left that franchise would not have nearly been as good the last 10+ years.
I don't know if I agree with you on DiPietro. He's certainly not the best goalie in the league and not living up to his potential as a 1st overall pick. Since the lockout, goalies have been in overabundance in the league. Quality 'tenders who have been starters or backups in the past like Joseph, Belfour, Toivinen, Cechmanek, Cloutier, Potvin, Burke, Flaherty, etc., are wasting away either in the minors, Europe, or at home because of the lack of positions in the NHL for them. When Garth Snow quit as backup goalie with the Islanders to become a GM, it wasn't because he needed a quick jump to management, it was because he knew he would have been an odd man out in the over populated world of goalies.
Unless your name is Roy, Sawchuk, Brodeur, Hasek, or Luongo, you're destined to have five, maybe ten good years as a starting Goalie in the NHL. Look at Jose Theodore. Prime example. He had a couple good seasons in Montreal and then had that breakout year. If the Habs had thrown all that money at him over 15 years, everyone would have given up on the team right now. Remember all that fuss about Jim Carrey about 10 years ago? Where is he now? How about Felix Potvin? Wasn't he the next Johnny Bower for Leafs fans? Dan Blackburn could've been a great goalie for the Rangers. Until he got hurt and had to retire at a very young age. That could happen to DiPietro and the Islanders would be screwed cap-wise for the next 15 years.
Even older guys like Hasek, Joseph, and Belfour (last year), were once exceptional goalies who have been demoted to backup goalies. Goalies in general do not last as long in this league as defensemen or forwards who carry a team. Recently, Marc Denis, who carried Canada's Junior squad in '98 was sent to the minors by Tampa. The same thing is about to happen to Raycroft (Leafs just called up Pogge and I don't imagine they'll send down Toskala). Marc-Andre Fleury will have a lot of trouble regaining the fans' confidence in Pittsburgh once Conklin cools off. Manny Fernandez is probably out of a job in Boston with Thomas there playing so well. Finally, I imagine that Roloson isn't happy with his lack of playing time as Garon is having a sensational year in Edmonton. There are way too many quality goalies in the league who fall in and out of their teams' favour. I think it's ridiculous to sign one to a 15 year deal and expect him to hold his own for that period of time.
