Leto

What are your feelings, your predictions, your plans?

Are you excited for the season, or afraid your team is gonna bomb out? Who do you think is going to win their division? Who is going to go on to become Stanley Cup winners?

The pre-season is underway now and sports recaps are energized with the added adrenalin of hockey coverage - Finally after a long hot summer!

As for my local preferences, The Maple Leafs dropped a 5-0 stinker to Ottawa last night in a pre-season game. Some things never change, Although Kris Versteeg (thank you Chicago) may provide some new blood.

Please discuss, enjoy the season.... and...


Game On!

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

silent_jay

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Nikilidstrom

Well, Detroit it is currently getting shelled by Pittsburgh 3-0, and Orpik just got called for a knee-on-knee on Franzen. Franzen left the game, but at least he walked down the tunnel.

Yep, its gonna be a great season.

As for the Leafs, I'd be more excited for Kulemin, Bozak, and Caputi than I would Versteeg, who was a product of great linemates. Kadri looks overmatched all over the ice, getting run off the puck constantly.

DDDDave

What do you guys think of the Lightning this year?

It really is a whole new ball game here in Tampa. New owner (a guy with his own money), a new GM (a true hockey guy, Stevey Y), a new coach Guy Boucher (the most coveted young coach around) and some new players (notably goalie Dan Ellis).

Given our existing players (Lecavalier, Former MVP St. Louis, Ryan Malone), some new additions (Simon Gagne, Pavel Kubina) and goalie Mike Smith do you guys see us contending?

I am hopeful. Boucher has a new system that he is keeping secret but the thought is it is in the mode of Tortarella's 'safe is death' system. Attack, attack, attack. Is is very fan friendly and sure makes it easy to cheer for your team.

I've got my season tix and I am ready for a good season. Here's hoping it is a good one.

__________________
I am just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe...

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." - Thoreau

"Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm" - Emerson

Leto

You're lucky that you can get a hold of season's tickets! Good for you. I see the Lightning as being contenders long before the Leafs are...

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

silent_jay

..

The_Jazz

You know, the Hawks may not have held a fire sale after all.....

__________________
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin
"There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

Nikilidstrom

The most exciting thing about Tampa Bay is the forwards they have in coming up in the system. I was at the prospect tourney in Traverse City, MI, and while the team as a whole didnt do great, guys like Connoly, Ashton, Tyrell and Hutchings looked really good.

As for the big team, barring injuries (Gagne, Lecavalier) they should be scoring machines this year. The defense however, is another story, and could cost them some games.

The Leafs, like Edmonton, are full of potential, but short on experience up front, so its a crap shoot how some of the kids will work out.

Leto

here's an interesting bit of news: the CBC is going to broadcast two of this season's games in 3D:


'Hockey Night in Canada' to show Leafs-Habs in 3-D - thestar.com


'Hockey Night in Canada' to show Leafs-Habs in 3-D '

Canadian Press

Hockey Night in Canada is going 3-D with two special broadcasts this winter.

CBC says it will air high-tech takes on battles between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Canadiens against the Calgary Flames.

The digital broadcasts will air Dec. 11 and Feb. 20, 2011, with the second broadcast taken from the Heritage Classic, an outdoor game at Calgary's McMahon Stadium.

Hockey fans will require a special 3-D TV and glasses to view the games.

It's still unclear which TV providers will offer the CBC's 3-D signal to customers.

The CBC aired a 3D documentary, Queen Elizabeth in 3-D, this month, although that broadcast appeared on the main network and did not require a special 3-D TV.

The CBC also aired two World Cup games in 3-D this summer.

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

Leto

2010-11 season begins! From Europe to North America

2010-11 season begins! From Europe to North America - 2010 NHL Face-Off




Thursday, 10.07.2010 / 9:45 AM / 2010 NHL Face-Off
By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Staff Writer


The summer is over. Training camp is done. The preseason games are all played out.

Now the fun starts.

From Helsinki to Vancouver, and all points in between, the 2010-11 NHL season is about to begin, and with it the hope for another entertaining, outstanding campaign.

All 30 teams enter the season with the same amount of hope. That only one will ultimately go home with the Stanley Cup isn't the point right now. No, the present is about new beginnings and unlimited opportunities.

The initial opportunity belongs to the Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild, who will take part in the first puck drop of the season at noon ET on Thursday at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, part of the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere series. They'll play again Friday in Helsinki, and the long opening weekend also will see the Sharks and Blue Jackets meet for two games at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, while the Coyotes and Bruins will play a pair at the O2 Arena in Prague.

Closer to the League's North America roots, the NHL will celebrate the opening of the season in Dundas Square in Toronto on Thursday with NHL Face-Off, an all-day interactive hockey extravaganza for the whole family that will feature live music, appearances by NHL alums, hockey clinics and giant video boards to follow all the day's action. The NHL Network will broadcast live from the square, and take fans right into the first North American game of the season, a renewal of the ancient rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs*, at Air Canada Centre.

Another opening-night game will feature the Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Flyers in the first game at the Pens' new home, Consol Energy Center. The newest building in the League replaces the oldest, Mellon Arena, which had been the Penguins' home for the franchise's first 43 years.

Taylor Hall, the first pick of the 2010 Entry Draft, will lead the Oilers' trio of highly touted rookies into their first game Thursday when the Flames visit Rexall Place.

And there will be a celebration in Colorado, as the Avalanche welcomes back Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and other members of the 1996 Stanley Cup champion team prior to hosting the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.

The Hawks will have their own special celebration Saturday, when they get to raise the first championship banner for a Chicago hockey team since 1961. Then it will be down to business against the rival Detroit Red Wings.

Friday's openings include Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals with their first chance to move past last spring's playoff disappointment when they travel to face the new-look Thrashers, while the Devils will get to see what Ilya Kovalchuk looks like after his first training camp with New Jersey when they host the Stars.

The Vancouver Canucks, another team picked by many to be a Stanley Cup favorite, open their 40th anniversary season Saturday by hosting the Los Angeles Kings in a rematch of one of last spring's most dramatic first-round playoff series.

By the time the weekend comes to a close following the three games scheduled for Sunday, the season will be off and running. They're just the first steps on what will be an exciting journey.

Contact Adam Kimelman at akimelman@nhl.com



* The most storied rivalry in pro-sports history

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

Wes Mantooth

Yeeeee HAWWWWW!!!! Can't wait! Time to break out the good whiskey, the fine cigars and the premium pipe tobacco, sit back and enjoy the hell out of another great season of hockey

On top of that I've scored some great seats at the Bridgestone for the Preds home opener against the Ducks, should be a great way to start the season off in style.

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Baraka_Guru

Leafs over the Habs, 3 - 2; Leafs over the Sens, 5 - 1! Two rivals down....how many more to go?

The Leafs open with two wins for the first time since 1999. They're like a whole new team...finally.... Let's hope they hold it together.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Martian

The Sens were pretty anemic tonight. It's not surprising that the Leafs took that one, though it was fun to watch anyway.

Two games is nothing. I've been hurt by the boys in blue too many times to get my hopes up this early.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Baraka_Guru

For a team like the Leafs, it matters. The team has seen a number of substantial changes that there is reason to hope for at least a half-decent season. If anything, this is a good sign that they can at least win.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

streak_56

I suppose I should be thankful that my wings are never mentioned anymore as a perennial favourite..... which makes their success even more sweet! I'm looking forward for an energized Modano to give Detroit another weapon....

worried_monk

When I think of the hanson brothers, This isn't what I think of.

Leto

show's how hockey can expand your horizons!

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

worried_monk

I like these hanson brothers quite a bit more.

silent_jay

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Nikilidstrom

I'm pretty sure its the "on ice gestures" that are causing all of the early season concussions. This is the most danger to player health we've had since the "Sloppy Seconds" incident of '08 that almost ended Avery and Phaneuf's careers. Thank god Colin Campbell is on top of it.

silent_jay

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Nikilidstrom

That reminds me of David Frost, the agent/coach that Mike Danton tried to have killed. He was discovered working in a hockey school in California under an assumed name a month or 2 ago. He was aquitted of 4 charges of sexual exploitation, but people don't take a chance of ruining their lives to have you killed for nothing.

Hopefully this school wakes up and gets rid of him before he gets a chance to perp again.

Leto

Did I hear right in the Danton was going to try to get back to the game?

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

silent_jay

..

silent_jay

..

Leto

yep, i was waiting for Avery to do something stupid. Luckily that linesman was on the ball, he skated right over as soon as Avery finished the second slash.

Should be a game, that goes beyond competitiveness. It's plain bad sportsmanship and an embarrassment.

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

silent_jay

..

silent_jay

..

Nikilidstrom

I agree with you on the suspension. It was an extremely late hit, but not from the blind side, as Doan actually skates in front Sexton and hits him from the front. He didnt leave his feet, he didn't raise an elbow, all around a clean hit except for the timing of it.

My question is, where the hell were the refs on this one. Regardless of being clean, it was way late and pretty damn obvious. Why was there no penalty called on the play? Just like the Cammelari incident with Niederreiter, the cross checking and slashing went on for a good 30 seconds or more before Cammelari finally slashes him in the ankle. All of this at center ice and not one ref thought it was a good idea to call a penalty before someone gets hurt. Cammelari slashed at the kids face prior to the ankle, and the refs just stood there and stared.

Not to mention the elbow to the face Franzen took from Fistric last week. Franzen had the puck, so some ref had to be looking at him, Fistric obviously throws an elbow into his jaw as he turns, and not only was there no suspension, there wasn't even a penalty called. Franzen laying on the iced dazed, the whole world sees the elbow, and nothing is done about it.

And its a big mystery why half the league is out with concusions right now. At least they have made it so nobody will ever tell someone to "suck a cock" ever again.

silent_jay

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Nikilidstrom

sorry, can't go with you on this one. At no time should any professional athlete assault a fan in any sport. Fans are the reason those athletes have jobs, so if they want to voice their opinion about how they are playing, or even about their moms sexual exploits, thats what buying a ticket affords them. Any athlete who violates that should be dealt with harshly.

Now on the other hand, if the fan had assaulted the player first, either by touching him or dumping a beer on him or something, its game on. But a little verbal abuse is just part of being a pro and making the big bucks.

here is an example of the grey area of this topic:

silent_jay

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Nikilidstrom

on a separate Milbury note, did anyone watch the Winter Olympics with Milbury and Reonick going at it like cats and dogs? They toned it down a bit for the NHL finals, but how the hell have they not been given there own show, or at least a regular broadcasting spot on national TV. They were comedy gold, and more importantly, actually voiced opinions about the sport rather than toe the NHL line and repeat the same drivel over and over again.

silent_jay

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silent_jay

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Nikilidstrom

Suddenly every hit has turned into a headshot. Anytime the player being hit is a little jarred from the hit, its getting labled as dangerous. The kicker to me was Carlyle, the coach of the Anaheim Goon Squad, had the stones to say that Kronwall's hit on Selanne was dangerous, and Kronwall was a dirty player. Guess he would know what a dirty player looks like, he coaches enough of them.

As for the challenges, I'd be all for them if I thought that a ref would actually get the call right after review. But I've seen 2 refs, 2 linesman, and all of the video review team in Toronto confer for well over 10 minutes and still get the call wrong, so whats the point?

And Pierre McGuire is the dumbest fuck to have ever been given a mic. I have fantasies about a hundred mile an hour slapshot flying in between the benches and making his head explode like the guy in Scanners.

silent_jay

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Nikilidstrom

Dive, Dive, Dive! What a joke. I saw that Hunter had the 15 PIMs last night but I didn't see the play until now. Another example of a textbook hit getting penalized. Love how Meszaros is just fine to skate back to the bench the second Trent Hunter is ousted from the game.

The off-ice ref idea was something they tested in that Shanahan Summit this summer, but it didn't go over very well. The refs complained that it made it hard for them to follow the play, cause they are doing such a bang up job of it now.

silent_jay

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Nikilidstrom

I was watching that game at that point, and they had been messing with Briere for quite some time before he rearranged Neilsen's face. He still deserves the 3 games he got for it, because it was completely premeditated.

The real chicken shit play though was Carcillo coming in and leveling Neilsen after he had already been hit by Briere. Typical Carcillo.

And by some miracle, it doesn't sound like Hunter is going to get anything for his hit. Even though the 15 PIMs was about 15 more than he should have received anyway.