toby91_ca

No, there was no OT during that year. I believe OT was added for the first time since the early 40s around 1983.

Or how about this: Crosby is well on his way to another 100 pt season. Name me all the players who had 3 100 pt. seasons under their belts before their 21st birthdays like Crosby should by the end of the year. I haven't gone and done any research, but if I had to guess, I think Crosby will be the only guy on that list.

Yeah, and all three forwards selected ahead of him have a better ppg stat and far better +/-. It's not all about who scores the most goals.

I wouldn't pick either over Crosby or Lecavalier, so they both couldn't get there in my opinion anyway. Also, Alfie is 5th in scoring this year, it isn't a complete joke that he was voted in. Doesn't really matter, both Ilya and Alex will be in the lineup.

When you said first line, I thought you meant forwards, which I would question you since the East forward line has "arguably" the 2 best forwards in the game. I'm assuming you are referring to the entire starting lineup, including defense and goalie, in which case I would agree. The West's defense and goalie are quite a bit better.

I'm thinking the huge goalie gear hindered his ability to fight just a little.

No, someone asked the question "how are the captains selected." Someone said "who cares." You said those buying a jersey might care. I wondered why those buying a jersey would care about the selection process. If I was buying a jersey, I'd wait to see who made the team and who was selected as captain and alternates, then I would go get the jersey.

Those looking to buy jerseys will care how the captains are actually selected?

I think you simply need to deal with the fact that it really wouldn't be comparable. It's way more cut and dry than the example of saying Gretzky played in the high flying 80's with weak goalies.....and just for the record, lots of people look at his stats differently because of it. Should they beat either, it sure as hell would be tainted since for each SO win they get, they would be getting 1 more win and 1 more point than they would have in the past, it really isn't that obscure of a thing to analyze. So far this year, they have 4 SO wins I believe, so that is 4 more wins and 4 more points than they would have had before. Also, the 70's Montreal team only played 80 games, so if they beat their point total in 82 games, that wouldn't be comparable either. In response though, it is highly unlikely that they will reach either. You have to think they will slow down a little as the seasn wears on and even currently, they are not on pace to break either.

Here is a perfect example why you can't really look at small stretches of games in isolation (good or bad): Ty Conklin (career minor leaguer, emergency call up by the Pens), last 7 games: 7-0, 1.67 gaa, .948 sv%

I am not 100% sure of this, but I think you need to consider salary commitments into the future as well. In other words, you could trade for a player making $6 million now and only have a cap hit of $3 million for this season, but if they are still under contract for next year, you would have to add $6 million to next year's total salary commitments and if that puts you over the cap, you have issues. Again, I'm not sure about this and haven't read the particulars in the CBA or anything, but for whatever reason, I'm thinking that needs to be taken into account. That said, it probably wouldn't be an issue for most teams because A) Most teams do not have a lot of salary tied up in future years (not a factual statement, I'm just assuming) and B) big name players being traded later in the year are likely not under contract for future years (Hossa), therefore, becomes a non-issue anyway.

Doesn't strike me as odd at all. Do you realize how powerful they are? Their assets are close to $100 billion currently.

Players with NTCs get traded all the time, though, it is certainly not as easy to trade them.

Maybe I am missing your point.....since I am thinking it's just you.

definitely!!

Neither, since he has nothing to do with the selection process.

Vinny isn't even the captain of his team. Sundin will be the captain of the East. If Sakic were there for the West, he would be the no brainer captain, but since he probably won't be, then Lidstrom seems like a good choice.

Lord knows, I won't be saying this for the last time....the rest of the roster is selected by the NHL Operations department (headed by Colin Campbell) in consultation with the 30 GMs.

Am I the only one that thinks nothing of this at all? I mean, it wasn't much of a blow up at all, especially for a coach. I'd expect every coach to have the same type of reaction at least once during every game.

You know, I doubt it. I think everyone that has played against Crosby realizes how strong he is. I think his strength is very underrated amongst the general public.

Ferrence had his helmut and visor on as well, it only came off when Crosby knocked it off.

Gordie only had the 1 and I believe Shanahan is considered to have the most with 8, but it really isn't a stat that is tracked.

That photo was how it started, they did drop the gloves, it was a real fight and I am sure someone told Sid afterwards never to do it again.

Except that would be silly since Markov has never worn that type of jersey with Detroit.

Have you tried to simply cutomize a blank?