Carman

So there aren't going to be any open ice hits because players are concerned about the chance that in a fraction of a second the opponent's position can move and you'll be out of the game and possibly more? I can't see why there aren't more fans concerned about this aspect of the situation.

I love that you are not allowed to hit when you back check. Great rules NHL. I can see why it was called that way on the ice, the head did snap back. But that was not a targeted hit to the head. If this gets Brown suspended I'll be very disappointed.

Ehh I really think you are not giving enough credit to football players. Football is a much more Anaerobic sport with more physical contact on average throughout a game. Where as singular hits might be harder in the NHL just due to the speed, I'd certainly not argue it is a tougher game. The collisions in football happen much more often, and are not that much different. Nevermind that Chad Johnson and T.O. answered this question, when they just stretch the field a very rarely run crossing routes. I wouldn't judge a game based on a couple players that exagerrate injuries anyways, I could easily link some of Riberio's perfomances. Football and Hockey are great physical sports, I don't know if I'd consider either one tougher than the other...

Sorry I guess I should wait until 8 then. I'm not saying we need to do anything drastic, but I really wouldn't mind seeing a little mix up on the bottom lines to hopefully get them going Babcock usually mixes the lines up anyways. It should have no effect on our top 2 lines... I don't see what's so horrible about pointing out that a line is under performing right now? Modano/Cleary/Hudler have not been good, and have actually hurt us. We are going to need all of those players to produce at one point or another this season...

Cleary should be able to play a net front role just fine. For example on the Datsyuk game winner yesterday. The line is just not skating and winning battles. They aren't finding each other in space with passes, they aren't forechecking well, and defensively they've been weak.

Hmm I feel like I should dig up some threads of people hating the signing last year and I was one of the few that actually thought he would play well... But yeah, I love Bertuzzi on this team, he's a different player after his injury and he's not as physical, but he still uses his size very well and can create a lot of space. He's getting his feet back too, I just hope he can stay healthy.

Someone make a Hudler thread

So you want a goaltender to get into the butterfly when the player crosses the top of the circle before he even shoots? That seems like a great idea.

Kronwall did nothing wrong I agree. But I really disagree on whether or not Selanne's shot was "special", it was pretty damn impressive coming in with that much speed and shoot the puck mid-stride like that without telegraphing anything. It's not like came in with a huge Al MaCinnis slap shot and Howard just stood there. If you don't think Selanne did that on purpose and doesn't know how to score in that situation and it was a fluke goal like Flippula's the other day go ahead...

It would hopefully motivate him. or else he's shipped off like that other useless Euro Leino.

How anyone thinks the Selanne goal was weak, I have no clue. Give Selanne that chance on any goalie he'll score more often than not. He's a top 20 goal scorer, and we gave him a clear shot coming in off the wing...

Hudler needs to get better, he's making horrible decisions, and doesn't win any battles at all. He needs a night off, he's been terrible. Hopefully Abby can jump in for him.

Hudler is just awful. Abdelkader needs to inserted into the lineup. Hopefully we can get a 6th round pick for hudler.

I wouldn't change the first two lines either, but to be honest the last two lines are playing about the same amount per game granted one plays more PP and the other PK. But to me I just haven't seen any signs of the 3rd line being good enough. They just don't seem to be moving quickly enough to really get the most out of their skills. And the 4th line has plenty of speed on it, I don't think it would be a drastic change to get some more speed spread among the bottom two lines. When 3 of the 4 players are last among the team are in last for +/- by a significant margin this early in the season it might be time for a little change.

There is always room for improvement.

Hudler has been the worst player on that line by far, he cannot win any battle anywhere on the ice. The defense cannot breakout on his wing, and there is no puck possession in the offensive zone due to his lack of effort and strength. He's not adjusting to the more physical and faster game as fast as I'd like. One thing I'm noticing is the forechecking on the line has been very weak, Modano is the only one with speed and he has to stay back as a center. Cleary is skating well, but is getting no help from Hudler and they cannot keep the offensive zone pressure up.

So you're cheering against the eastern conference team instead of our division rival? I don't get this.

Friday, October 22 Calgary at Columbus Ottawa at Buffalo Tampa Bay at Atlanta Chicago at St. Louis Minnesota at Vancouver Saturday, October 23 NY Rangers at Boston Anaheim at Detroit Buffalo at New Jersey Montreal at Ottawa Toronto at Philadelphia Atlanta at Washingtonx2 NY Islanders at Florida Nashville at Dallas Pittsburgh at St. Louis Columbus at Chicago Los Angeles at Colorado Carolina at Phoenix San Jose at Edmonton Sunday, October 24 Nashville at Tampa Bay New Jersey at NY Rangers San Jose at Calgary

Why in the world is Smith fighting? Gah, he needs to focus on actually developing as a hockey player first...

I'd have no problem with fighters taking off their helmets before a fight, but I'm not worried about their safety from fights as opposed to game play. And the extent of those injuries are what the visors are there for. I'd much rather have a .1%(made up statistic is made up) less chance to lose sight in an eye, then just being a "real hockey player" and not wearing one. You can choose when you want to fight, you can't choose if a stick or puck gets deflected. I'd much rather have a broken hand, then lose years of my career like Bryan Berard.

Yes, I've played at fairly competitive levels as well. The amount of injuries I've seen from random pucks far and away outweigh any negativity that a visor would bring. To me there just isn't a good reason not to wear one if you are actually smart that it is.

All players should wear visors in my opinion. If you complain about not seeing the ice, then you aren't a good enough player to be worried about that anyways.

Hmm I'd like Blair Betts as well.

Win the game?

Eh, I disagree. He was public enemy #1 because of cheapshots mainly. He was a clutch playoff producer no doubt though, so I guess I can see where you're coming from.