[tigerthelion]

Woohoo, Flames win again! Iggy with another 3 point night as per usual. 5 wins in a row and they're 12-1-4 in their last 17 games. This team is on one hell of a roll. I just hope they can keep it up for the rest of the season.

They are on a hell of a roll and Iggy just looks unstoppable. They won't keep it up for the rest of the season though......at least I hope not.

direwolf, did you hear anything on Phaneuf's status? I read that he turned down a 5 year deal worth 30 million. Personally, I don't feel that he's worth that much and I don't see him improving too much from here on out.

[direwolf74]

direwolf, did you hear anything on Phaneuf's status? I read that he turned down a 5 year deal worth 30 million. Personally, I don't feel that he's worth that much and I don't see him improving too much from here on out.

From what I know the 5-year/30 million thing is just a rumor. I haven't heard anything concrete yet. I don't think he's worth that much either, but he's still young and I don't think he's reached his full potential yet. As a quick skating, puck-moving defenceman he's great, and his thunderous open ice hits are a thing of beauty. But his defensive play still needs some work. His shoddy play in his own zone has led to more goals against than he'd probably care to admit. I really like the kid though, and I think he's still got plenty of upside.

[ryan93]

I knew they were hot, but not that hot! 12-1-4 in the last 17 is downright impressive! As for Iginla, honestly i think it'd be tough to argue that as of right now, he's not the MVP of the league.

And thank god the Rangers don't have to play another any more teams from the Northeast division this season! 0-4-1

[cferneyh]

I don't see him improving too much from here on out.

:lol:

I simply don't know how you could make a statement like that. He plays an average of 26:42 minutes a game as a 22 year old. He's only in his third NHL season. He's tough as nails, he hits, and he fights, and he's got some offensive skill too. But you don't see him improving too much? That's funny.

He's the next Chris Pronger - give him another 5 years and he'll dominate like Pronger did when he was 26/27.

[tth_fan]

I don't see him improving too much from here on out.

:lol:

I simply don't know how you could make a statement like that. He plays an average of 26:42 minutes a game as a 22 year old. He's only in his third NHL season. He's tough as nails, he hits, and he fights, and he's got some offensive skill too. But you don't see him improving too much? That's funny.

He's the next Chris Pronger - give him another 5 years and he'll dominate like Pronger did when he was 26/27.

No. If he continues to play and improve at this pace, he's gonna be better than Pronger was at that age.

[farmerdan]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05jGbovJah8&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05jGbovJ ... re=related</a><!-- m -->

I was at the game, and didn't even notice this.
This guy should even be playing in the league.

On a related note, how do you hit a guy who's got cancer

[cferneyh]

On a related note, how do you hit a guy who's got cancer

By playing for the same franchise where a former GM once said this about Roger Nielson: "Roger got cancer. That wasn't our fault. We didn't tell him to go get cancer. It's too bad that he did. We feel sorry for him, but then he went goofy on us."

Ladies and gentlemen, the Philadelphia Flyers!

[tigerthelion]

I don't see him improving too much from here on out.

:lol:

I simply don't know how you could make a statement like that. He plays an average of 26:42 minutes a game as a 22 year old. He's only in his third NHL season. He's tough as nails, he hits, and he fights, and he's got some offensive skill too. But you don't see him improving too much? That's funny.

He's the next Chris Pronger - give him another 5 years and he'll dominate like Pronger did when he was 26/27.

You may be right, you may be wrong. He will never be like Pronger though. We'll see how much he improves. As of now, he is a guy who makes the highlight reel with hits and fights a little bit, and is pretty decent offensively. Also, he is out of position all the time and looks for the big hit too much.

There are no guarantees in hockey. Plenty of players reach their peaks early.

[tigerthelion]

direwolf, did you hear anything on Phaneuf's status? I read that he turned down a 5 year deal worth 30 million. Personally, I don't feel that he's worth that much and I don't see him improving too much from here on out.

From what I know the 5-year/30 million thing is just a rumor. I haven't heard anything concrete yet. I don't think he's worth that much either, but he's still young and I don't think he's reached his full potential yet. As a quick skating, puck-moving defenceman he's great, and his thunderous open ice hits are a thing of beauty. But his defensive play still needs some work. His shoddy play in his own zone has led to more goals against than he'd probably care to admit. I really like the kid though, and I think he's still got plenty of upside.

That's an understatement. :rambo:

[tigerthelion]

I don't see him improving too much from here on out.

:lol:

I simply don't know how you could make a statement like that. He plays an average of 26:42 minutes a game as a 22 year old. He's only in his third NHL season. He's tough as nails, he hits, and he fights, and he's got some offensive skill too. But you don't see him improving too much? That's funny.

He's the next Chris Pronger - give him another 5 years and he'll dominate like Pronger did when he was 26/27.

No. If he continues to play and improve at this pace, he's gonna be better than Pronger was at that age.

Says the guy who hates Pronger because he left the Oilers. :?

[tigerthelion]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05jGbovJa...re=related

I was at the game, and didn't even notice this.
This guy should even be playing in the league.

On a related note, how do you hit a guy who's got cancer

You're kidding, right? If he's too fragile to be hit, he shouldn't be playing in the league. Everyone who steps on the ice is fair game.

Now, Downie is a dirtbag. I've been saying that since I saw him play in junior. It was clear as day but a lot of Canadian fans just ignored it and were in denial of him being a scumbag. I am in no way defending Downie. He isn't even good enough to play in the NHL anyway so I don't know why he's even in the big leagues as it is.

[cochise]

On a related note, how do you hit a guy who's got cancer

Apparently by making sure he does not have a hand free to even block or retaliate.

But don't worry all, Mr. Downie received a "STERN WARNING" from Mr. Campbell.....that'll teach him!!

[farmerdan]

If he's too fragile to be hit, he shouldn't be playing in the league. Everyone who steps on the ice is fair game.

I believe a sucker punch is not "fair game"

[tigerthelion]

If he's too fragile to be hit, he shouldn't be playing in the league. Everyone who steps on the ice is fair game.

I believe a sucker punch is not "fair game"

So, why not say, "How do you hit a guy when he can't protect himself?" instead of "How do you hit a guy with cancer?" What does cancer have to do with anything on the ice?


It wasn't that bad of a play. Yeah, it was a suckerpunch but it wasn't like he really drilled him with full leverage or anything. If Blake hadn't swelled up like a ballon, not much would be being made of this. The real question people should be asking is, "HOW THE HELL DID DOWNIE MAKE IT TO THE NHL?" He's simply not a good player. But, of course, then I take a step back and listen to what I'm saying. There are only about four or five NHL worthy players on each team.

[cferneyh]

Also, he is out of position all the time and looks for the big hit too much.

Countless coaches and scouts will tell you that D is the hardest position to learn, which is why you see so few (if any) young D men who don't have a lot to learn early in their career.

And remember, Pronger wasn't a plus player until his fourth year in the league.