tigerthelion Wrote:I agree that Phaneuf is a stud. An argument actually can be made for ROY honours for Phaneuf and it isn't that far-fetched. Phaneuf has been a very IMPORTANT player on a Cup contending team and there is more pressure playing on the Flames than in Pittsburgh or Washington. A few lost games here or there and the Flames could be where the Oilers and Nucks are, fighting for their playoff lives since the Northwest is so close. Phaneuf is playing in high pressure games and responding magnificently.
Having said that, I don't think there's any way to take the ROY award away from Ovechkin. 
Gotta agree with everything you've said. Phaneuf is going to win about 5 Norris trophies before his career is done, but Ovechkin has been out of this world this year - he's been in on 45% of all of the goals scored by the Crapitals and he hasn't slowed down one bit.
Anyone read the rumour that Hasek might be done for the season? Yikes! But, after reading that the Sens have the lowest base of season ticket holders in the NHL, I have a tough time feeling sorry for Sens fans.
cferneyh Wrote:tigerthelion Wrote:I agree that Phaneuf is a stud. An argument actually can be made for ROY honours for Phaneuf and it isn't that far-fetched. Phaneuf has been a very IMPORTANT player on a Cup contending team and there is more pressure playing on the Flames than in Pittsburgh or Washington. A few lost games here or there and the Flames could be where the Oilers and Nucks are, fighting for their playoff lives since the Northwest is so close. Phaneuf is playing in high pressure games and responding magnificently.
Having said that, I don't think there's any way to take the ROY award away from Ovechkin.
Anyone read the rumour that Hasek might be done for the season? Yikes! But, after reading that the Sens have the lowest base of season ticket holders in the NHL, I have a tough time feeling sorry for Sens fans.
Only things I've read have been positive about Hasek coming back before the regular season ends. If the Sens go with Emery they won't win the Cup but I guess that's a safe prediction.
Anyone see the Hawks/Wings game the other night when Patrick Sharp turned Lidstrom inside out in OT? I thought Jovo suited up for the Wings or something on that play because you won't see that happen to Lidstrom too often. Jovo on the other hand, well let's just say he's a VERY GOOD OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN and leave it at that. I am critical of Jovo but it'd be nice to get him and Salo back on D. The Canucks are a better team with Jovo, despite his defensive shortcomings.
On the topic of MVP, I think Jagr deserves it and I'm rooting for him to win, BUT I think Kipper might be just as deserving. I think Kipper has surpassed Iginla to become the unquestioned MVP of the team. He's unreal. Thornton will get a lot of attention too.
cferneyh Wrote:Anyone read the rumour that Hasek might be done for the season? Yikes! But, after reading that the Sens have the lowest base of season ticket holders in the NHL, I have a tough time feeling sorry for Sens fans.
I'm not sure if this is sarcasm from some other post I haven't read, but Ottawa is number two in attendance capacity this year, and for a city that's still flooded with Hab and Leaf fans, and perpetual negativity from the media about the inevitability of the collapse of our Triple A team, the Renegades, and until two season ago, the Senators, I think the ticket sales are fairly impressive.
Hasek will return, and even if he doesn't I feel more comfortable with Emery in nets then I have with Lalime, Barasso or Rhodes in the last few seasons. He started the season breaking the record for most consecutive wins to start a career, and just tied the record for most wins in a month. The NY game was a big test, when half of our all-star caliber defence was missing, and Emery came out shining. And for the love of God, can they not find somebody besides Ron Tugnutt to do colour commentary on CBC, somebody who is coherent, and has a grade four education? He's quite irritating.
I'm glad to here the Flames game was good last night, my aunt & uncle are in Calgary this week visiting their son, and my uncle & cousin were at both Monday's game against LA and last nights game against Colorado.
tragicallymike...what the hell happened to your boys tonight?
As for the Hart Trophy, i think Jaromir Jagr will win it for sure (could be in for a major haul...Art Ross, Richard, Hart, Pearson, 1st team all-star). As for the other canidates, there's no shortage of deserving canidates:
Daniel Alfredsson
Alexander Ovechkin
Miikka Kiprusoff
Eric Staal
Joe Thornton (especially if he can get SJ into the playoffs)
etc.
I watched the end of the 3rd & the OT from the Wings game last night, and that goal my Patrick Sharp was something else! As you said, it's not very often you see Nick Lidstrom getting turned inside out like that, in overtime no less! Great goal by Sharp!
As much as i've been pulling for Sergei Zubov all season, no way you can't give the Norris to Nick Lidstrom. My personal 3 finalists would be Lidstrom, Zubov and Scott Niedermayer.
das_hips Wrote:cferneyh Wrote:Anyone read the rumour that Hasek might be done for the season? Yikes! But, after reading that the Sens have the lowest base of season ticket holders in the NHL, I have a tough time feeling sorry for Sens fans.
I'm not sure if this is sarcasm from some other post I haven't read, but Ottawa is number two in attendance capacity this year, and for a city that's still flooded with Hab and Leaf fans, and perpetual negativity from the media about the inevitability of the collapse of our Triple A team, the Renegades, and until two season ago, the Senators, I think the ticket sales are fairly impressive.
Nope. Not sarcasm. Howard Bloom (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sportsbusinessnews.com/index.php">http://www.sportsbusinessnews.com/index.php</a><!-- m -->) was on the Fan earlier this week and said that time and time again Ottawa has proven to not be a sports town. They can't support a CFL franchise and, as I said, the Senators have the
lowest base of
season ticket holders in the ENTIRE NHL. Whereas other "small market" Canadian cities - like Vancouver and Calgary, have completely sold out of season tickets and Sens can't give them away. That's pathetic.
cferneyh Wrote:Nope. Not sarcasm. Howard Bloom (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sportsbusinessnews.com/index.php">http://www.sportsbusinessnews.com/index.php</a><!-- m -->) was on the Fan earlier this week and said that time and time again Ottawa has proven to not be a sports town. They can't support a CFL franchise and, as I said, the Senators have the lowest base of season ticket holders in the ENTIRE NHL. Whereas other "small market" Canadian cities - like Vancouver and Calgary, have completely sold out of season tickets and Sens can't give them away. That's pathetic.
I'm not the type to argue, unless it involves politics, but I don't subscribe to the notion that Ottawa isn't a sports town. Ottawa can't support a CFL team right now, and while that's a tad shameful, it should be noted that half of the cities hosting a CFL franchise haven't been able to support their football team and have been in a similar situation in the last ten years.
The last remaining Canadian Triple A team is in Ottawa (for this season at least), and I'm not going to argue season ticket sales with you; that's why I didn't quote Ottawa season ticket sales (about 11,000). I provided that they were second in attendance by capacity, which works out to having sold out nearly every game this year plus standing room (105.5% of capacity). By your initial logic, we should applaud Chicago for it's community support of the Blackhawks. Sure, they only fill their arena to 65% capacity, but they have sold more season tickets then Ottawa, and as such they are a greater 'hockey' town.
Either way, I haven't been able to find statistics showing NHL season ticket sales, and as such, I still find it hard to believe that Ottawa is dead last in the NHL.
das_hips Wrote:cferneyh Wrote:Nope. Not sarcasm. Howard Bloom (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sportsbusinessnews.com/index.php">http://www.sportsbusinessnews.com/index.php</a><!-- m -->) was on the Fan earlier this week and said that time and time again Ottawa has proven to not be a sports town. They can't support a CFL franchise and, as I said, the Senators have the lowest base of season ticket holders in the ENTIRE NHL. Whereas other "small market" Canadian cities - like Vancouver and Calgary, have completely sold out of season tickets and Sens can't give them away. That's pathetic.
I'm not the type to argue, unless it involves politics, but I don't subscribe to the notion that Ottawa isn't a sports town. Ottawa can't support a CFL team right now, and while that's a tad shameful, it should be noted that half of the cities hosting a CFL franchise haven't been able to support their football team and have been in a similar situation in the last ten years.
The last remaining Canadian Triple A team is in Ottawa (for this season at least), and I'm not going to argue season ticket sales with you; that's why I didn't quote Ottawa season ticket sales (about 11,000). I provided that they were second in attendance by capacity, which works out to having sold out nearly every game this year plus standing room (105.5% of capacity). By your initial logic, we should applaud Chicago for it's community support of the Blackhawks. Sure, they only fill their arena to 65% capacity, but they have sold more season tickets then Ottawa, and as such they are a greater 'hockey' town.
Either way, I haven't been able to find statistics showing NHL season ticket sales, and as such, I still find it hard to believe that Ottawa is dead last in the NHL.
Explain the logic to me that because Chicago has a higher base of season ticket holders they should be applauded. That's hardly what I'm saying. Ottawa should be embarrassed that they fall behind cities like Chicago (where the owner has given fans zero reason to support that team), Washington, Columbus, Florida, etc etc etc.
I don't have the numbers either, but if I guy who works in the industry goes on the radio and says it is the case, well, I'm inclined to believe him. That being said, he could be wrong. But, if it is true, I think it says something when a team as good as the Sens are can't get a more loyal base of fans.
WOOOT!!
6 wins in a row for the Habs, and another shutout by Huet!! Its a great time to be a Habs fan. The team is really playing great, I just hope they dont use it all up trying to get in the playoffs then get smoked in the first round.
GO HABS GO!!!!
Bad news for Canucks fans - TSN is reporting that Cloutier might be back!
If it's true, the Canucks are in trouble, I think they'd be better off going with Auld...
Bad news for Sabres fans - The Leafs just owned us! 7-0 Ouch.
What a waste of a trip to the ACC.
lol, i had to do a double take when i saw the score of that game last night...
Huet...what does the "Crystal Ball" have in store fore hockey's most storied franchise this playoffs?
there were a hell of a lot of naysayers out there, that doubted Montreal could even make the playoffs, but they're still gunnin for that 6th spot...and WE CAN TAKE THE FLYERS OR RANGERS, no problem...
without Hasek (or without a hot Hasek), Ottawa seem beatable,
Carolina haven't quite been themselves as of late,
Buffalo, well, after seeing them lose 7-0 to the leafs, i don't know what to think...
NJ? they got Brodeur, Gianta, Gomez, and Parise...probably not enough,
TB? can't see them makin it out of the first round this year...
ATL? if they make it, they'll be hot as hell, and they do have some talent up front, i'm not so sure that they can win a best of 7 against Ottawa or Carlonia though...
in conclusion...
GO HABS GO!
soquester Wrote:Bad news for Canucks fans - TSN is reporting that Cloutier might be back!
If it's true, the Canucks are in trouble, I think they'd be better off going with Auld...
There's no way the Nucks could bring Cloutier back to play IF IF IF IF they make the playoffs. Auld is the man and I see no scenario where his spot is taken by Cloutier. ..........of course this is the Canucks and they have made questionable decisions before............
I'd say that's a pretty fair asessment of the East TDC. Im not really concerned who Montreal plays in the first round (assuming were in) although I'm sure we'll be 6th or 7th come playoff time. Anything can and usually does happen in the playoffs, and Ottawa without Chara, Redden and Hasek doesn't scare me that much, but I'd still rather not play them first. I think the East is really tough to call, any of the top 6 teams could easily beat one another in the playoffs. I still like Ottawa as the favorite though, but I hope my Habs can pull off an upset. Cant wait...
GO HABS GO!!!!
The Darkest Canuck Wrote:lol, i had to do a double take when i saw the score of that game last night...
Huet...what does the "Crystal Ball" have in store fore hockey's most storied franchise this playoffs?
there were a hell of a lot of naysayers out there, that doubted Montreal could even make the playoffs, but they're still gunnin for that 6th spot...and WE CAN TAKE THE FLYERS OR RANGERS, no problem...
without Hasek (or without a hot Hasek), Ottawa seem beatable,
Carolina haven't quite been themselves as of late,
Buffalo, well, after seeing them lose 7-0 to the leafs, i don't know what to think...
NJ? they got Brodeur, Gianta, Gomez, and Parise...probably not enough,
TB? can't see them makin it out of the first round this year...
ATL? if they make it, they'll be hot as hell, and they do have some talent up front, i'm not so sure that they can win a best of 7 against Ottawa or Carlonia though...
in conclusion...
GO HABS GO!
Who does Montreal have that would scare other teams so much? :roll: Ryder, Koivu, Kovalev, Huet (still unproven in playoffs mind you) and......??????????????????
Of course my team sucks anyway and just lost 6-2 to the Ducks. Great effort boys.
cratch:
cratch: I think Vancouver is done. The Oilers are only a point back with a game in hand and the Sharks have three games in hand and are only 4 points back. Two of those three teams will probably get in and to lay an egg like that is inexcusable for Vancouver.
Reports like the following are probably true:
Rumblings continue to come out of Vancouver that the Canucks are a divided team, with Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi allegedly on the outs with their teammates. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, a former Canucks player, who started the season in Vancouver, privately told a Canucks reporter the situation is ten times worse than one might think. If there is a division between Bertuzzi-Naslund and the rest of the team, it might have something to do with the high-paid pair holding down team-worst minus-16 ratings.