[tommygunn]

In today's Toronto Star, they chose Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer for league MVP.
My vote goes to Jagr.

[ryan93]

Scott Niedermayer will not & should not win the MVP. I think he has a great shot at winning the Norris, it's come down to Niedermayer & Nick Lidstrom. Take your pick, both have been awesome and either could walk away with the award.

My pick still goes to Jagr. I've seen him first hand all season long, and he is the Rangers this season. People keep saying Joe Thornton got the Sharks into the playoffs, and well that is true, without Jagr i seriously doubt the Rangers would have been a playoff team, much less in a battling for a division title & the 3rd seed in the East. Although the same could be said about Kiprusoff, i don't know, i'm with Tiger on this one, i'm not really a fan of goalies winning the Hart Trophy.
The case that could be made for Joe Thornton though is his play down the stretch. The Sharks are the hottest team in the league (aside from the Wings) heading into the playoffs & Thornton is playing the best hockey of his career. Jaromir Jagr is just playing average of late though, and the Rangers have lost 4 straight and are in danger of not only losing the Atlantic division, but possibly even home ice advantage.

[ryan93]

And the West playoff matches are almost set...

Detroit vs. Edmonton
Dallas vs. Colorado/Anaheim
Calgary vs. Anaheim/Colorado
Nashville vs. San Jose

[tommygunn]

The Sharks are the hottest team in the league (aside from the Wings) heading into the playoffs

The Devils have actually been hotter than the Sharks.
The Leafs have been too, but we all know that was for naught. :lol:

[cferneyh]

The Sharks are the hottest team in the league (aside from the Wings) heading into the playoffs & Thornton is playing the best hockey of his career.

I was trying to sneak in some analysis today during The Boy's nap as we have our office playoff pool draft on Wednesday - man, you sure are right. The Wings have collected 85% of the points they could have since the Olympic break (39/46). Cream puff schedule or not, that's impressive. The Sharks have collected 74% (37/50).

But both of those teams concern me.....how will Detroit respond to real competition and how will Toskala respond to playoff action?

[tommygunn]

The Devils beat the Flyers 5-1 this afternoon for their 10th straight win, the longest winning streak in the NHL this season. :wink:

[ryan93]

Them damn Devils & their 10 game winning streaks! I'm actually glad to they won today though, as it puts the ball back in the Rangers court, and a Rangers win on Tuesday will clinch the Atlantic division title. If the Rangers lose though, both the Flyers and Devils are just 1 point back.

Brian Gionta tied Pat Verbeeks franchise record in the game with his 46th goal, what a season he's had (to think he wasn't even picked in my hockey pool). I did grab Scott Gomez myself though, and he's been splendid as well, he's gotta be one of the hottest players in the league right now.

And two guys i knew were having good years, but never realized just how good until looking at stats today. Andy McDonald has 33 goals and 83 points in 81 games (as well as a +24 rating). And his Anaheim teammate Joffrey Lupul has 28 goals this year.

[tigerthelion]

BTW, why did Domi skate away from Chris Neil?

I didn't see the play in question, but earlier this season I read an interview with Domi (I think it was in the Toronto Star) where he admitted that he doesn't really feel it is up to him to fight anymore and he'll leave that to others. That's right - the league's highest pain goon thinks fighting is below him. :roll:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: That's hilarious! Domi saying it isn't up to him to fight! :lol: :lol: What else can he do? :lol: :lol:

[tigerthelion]

BTW, why did Domi skate away from Chris Neil?

I didn't see the play in question, but earlier this season I read an interview with Domi (I think it was in the Toronto Star) where he admitted that he doesn't really feel it is up to him to fight anymore and he'll leave that to others. That's right - the league's highest pain goon thinks fighting is below him. :roll:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: That's hilarious! Domi saying it isn't up to him to fight! :lol: :lol: What else can he do? :lol: :lol:

As for Niedermeyer and the Hart, that's a joke. That must just be the paper trying to make a statement and trying to be a rebellious paper or something. Scotty N should not even be considered for Hart.

[opiated]

i'm thinking that joe should win the hart..the sharks are a different team since he's arrived..and i also think that ruff should win coach of the year for what he's done for the sabres

[kleh]

that leafs/sabres games this afternoon was uuuuuggggggLY

[ryan93]

The Jack Adams award will be interesting. I agree that Lindy Ruff should be one of the front runners, and he just might be my pick. Peter Lavioette in Carolina will get a lot of votes as well. I think Tom Renney deserves some consideration just for getting the Rangers into the playoffs for the first time in 9 years (some coaches they attempted to do that, but failed during those 9 years...John Muckler, Ron Low, Bryan Trottier, Glen Sather, etc.). And then there's the coaches of some of the top seeds, like Mike Babcock in Detroit.

[Douglas]

Thats actually a little flattering. I just beak you and move on but you actually took the time to read 45 of my posts. I was just guessing when I called you a knob jockey but it turns out I was bang on. I dont like you that way OK. Sorry I didnt post until today but I was too busy watching my bandwagon team clinch their division.

No need to be flattered, actually. Two links and three "Goto page" clicks and I knew all I needed to know in about 30 seconds. Well, it took me 30 seconds. I'm guessing you would find it more time consuming and challenging.

However, I will admit to remembering this priceless (and highly ironic) post of yours to skippy a couple of months ago.

Its the same here as on any other site. Guys balls get three sizes bigger when they can flap their gums and never have to back it up face to face. Come get me skippy. I'm 7'0 and 300 pounds behind the key board just like you.

I am flattered again. You actually think my post was "priceless". Me too. The irony is that it totally applied to you as well. I love killing 2 knob jockeys with 1 stone.

How bout them Leafs? Peters golf swing was classic. Too bad all of the Leafs "fighters" dont have the minerals to stand up to him. Belak fills his shorts when challenged ever since Orr fucked him up and Domi grabs Jay Mckee of all people. What a hero!

Go Leafs! :thumb:

[Douglas]

In today's Toronto Star, they chose Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer for league MVP.
My vote goes to Jagr.

Thats insane. Typical example of the clueless Toronto sports media. So focused on their old timers, shinny team that they have no clue about the rest of the league. Phaneuf for Norris and Kipper for MVP.

What do you guys think the Oil will do vs the Wings? Hope they smash the shit out of them.

[cferneyh]

The Jack Adams award will be interesting. I agree that Lindy Ruff should be one of the front runners, and he just might be my pick. Peter Lavioette in Carolina will get a lot of votes as well. I think Tom Renney deserves some consideration just for getting the Rangers into the playoffs for the first time in 9 years (some coaches they attempted to do that, but failed during those 9 years...John Muckler, Ron Low, Bryan Trottier, Glen Sather, etc.). And then there's the coaches of some of the top seeds, like Mike Babcock in Detroit.

There was an interesting comment in Steve Simmon's column yesterday - apparently Tom Renney and his staff is the only one in the NHL without a former NHL player.

I thought this was funny because the other week on the Fan here in Calgary that moron Dowbiggin was saying that in order to succeed as an NHL coach, you need to have played the game. Someone called in and asked: "How many NHL games did Scotty Bowman play?"

THAT was a sweet burn, and backs up my theory that the only hockey writer in Canada who is more clueless than Al Strachan is Bruce Dowbiggin.