toby91_ca

Over the past 15-20 years, yes, but under the new CBA, doubtful they can continue buying the best available goalie they can find.

Do Z and D benefit from H being on their line? Of course they do. H does all the dirty work and drives goalies crazy. Without him on that line, Z and D stats would not be as good (my opinion of course). HOWEVER, I have to imagine that H (statistically) benefits more from being on that line. Separate them, I think everyone's stats fall, but Homer's would probably fall more than the other 2. Saying this is just fact in my opinion (that doesn't even sound right). This doesn't say that Z and D do not benefit from H, but it is really just fact. In terms of Homer, I don't think he gets 40 goals, possible, but highly unlikely. I think the chances of him getting 30 goals is greater than 50%, but nowhere near a lock.

How many Americans are on the team again?

I think it is way closer than some people may think. I give the edge to Yzerman due to some bias and some intangibles, but Joe very close and I wouldn't complain about it being 1A and 1B. During the years that both players played in the league at the same time: Yzerman: Regular season = 1,159gp, 528g (0.46gpg), 1,345pts (1.16ppg) Playoffs = 170gp, 59g (0.35gpg), 154pts (0.91ppg) Awards = Pearson, Conn Smythe, Selke, Masterton Sakic: Regular season = 1,237gp, 574g (0.46gpg), 1,489pts (1.20ppg) Playoffs = 162gp, 82g (0.51gpg), 178pts (1.10ppg) Awards = Pearson, Conn Smythe, Hart, Byng, +/- award,

The point is, Howard isn't playing very well right now. Is that concerning? Yes it is. Is it alarming and leading people to think this guy will never be a good goalie in the NHL? No, it shouldn't be. Goalies do take time to develop, but this is Howard's 3rd season in the minors. Management would be lying if they said they weren't a little disappointed with his performance so far this year. Does this mean anyone is writing him off? NO! Of course not. Agreed, but the realistic scenario is that he is brought up as a backup for a year or two and then he has the experience to start. Problem is that the Wings have a history of going out and getting a permiere, proven goalie to take the reigns. The salary cap system may limit their ability to continually do that however.

Agreed, except I would go a step further than simply saying 2 for 8 is "pretty good" - statistically speaking, that percentage would be 2nd best in the league and I suspect by the end of the year it would be best. Last year's best PP % was 22.8%. You know, I think I would agree. Normally, I would suggest that you have to go with the hot hand until that hot hand cools off, but when you have a team that has no worries about making the playoffs, then you have the luxury of being able to try and get both guys some work and hopefully ensure both goalies are ready to go for the playoffs if needed. When you get closer to the playoffs, you need to decide who your number one is going to be and then you probably think about making sure that goalie stays fresh. Then again, maybe with Hasek, you need to be careful about overworking him due to age.

Check your math.

You've got to be kidding. That was a classic Hasek dive, it wasn't even disguised.

I'll answer your question come playoff time....

No, Roy played 1 game in the AHL as a 19 year old, that's it. Other than that, straight from Junior to NHL.

Well, Yzerman winning the Masterton is not possible......for more reasons than one.

Interesting comment from Bucci: "Brendan Shanahan: Future Maple Leafs president and GM. Book it."

Not living in the US, I wouldn't know if this is true or not, but I wonder if part of it is because Z would be more recognizable in the US because he plays for Detroit?

That's nice and all, but what would be the point of the thread if it was just to be about how awesome it is for Z, Dats and Lids are? The thread would either have no comments at all, or simply be posts such as: Yeah!! Awesome!! Etc. What is the point of that?

Yeah, that is interesting, the two are basically the same player except one is a passer (Henrik) and the other is a shooter (Daniel). Their stats are remarkably similar since the lockout (well, since they started in the NHL really): Henrik - 184 gp - 176 pts Daniel - 183 gp - 174 pts

Good deal for both parties I think http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=223289&hubname=

Obviously you found yourself in the wrong thread....but, what are you talking about. You don't want numbers thrown at you, so I am not sure how else to halp you....since it is all about numbers.

Exactly. How could someone even try to argue that ninteen-"NINETY" is part of the "EIGHTIES" and not the NINETIES?

All Star Selection Process: Voting - those receiving the most votes at each position will start in the all star game. Those finishing with the 2nd most number of votes may get in the game, but it won't be due to voting, so if the player doesn't finish with the most votes, voting is absolutely meaningless. Selection of the rest of the roster: NHL Hockey Operations (headed by Colin Campbell) in consultation with the 30 GMs select the rest of the players. Coaches - typically, these are the coaches whose teams are leading their respective conference at the time the rosters are announced. They have ZERO impact on the determination of the rosters. EDIT: My last bit of ranting....you absolutely need to consider what the players accomplished during the last half of last season. What they accomplished during that time period would not have been recognized (obviously) for the selection to last year's all star team, why would these accomplishments be completely thrown out the window for this year's game? Is that fair? So many people being upset about whose not on the ballot and who is on the ballot instead, etc. Complaining about that is insane as far as I am concerned....seeing as only 12 players out of about 50 or so actually get to the game that way. There hasn't really been many examples of guys that have been voted in that didn't deserve to be there. Sure, there would be better players that should have been the starter, but that makes no difference.

I remember Esposito, he won 5 scoring titles and scored 717 goals in the NHL. You are not comparing Holmstrom to Esposito are you?

The difference between Osgood and Rory is that Rory was in no way deserving of being in the game and it was a way of bucking the system to try and vote him in. If Osgood really deserves to be there, then there would be no need to vote him in, he'll get chosen. He won't get enough votes to be the starter, so I wouldn't bother writing him in. Why do so many people think the Coach picks the rest of the roster?

He's more than a point per game player currently and improving. Also, point per game players are worth a lot. Ryan Smyth signed for $6 million +, he' snot a point per game player. Datsyuk is making $6.7 million and he's pretty much a point per game player currently.

Yup, you're right, I got the years mixed up. Either way, he had a great regular season in both years and is playing great this year. Not surprised with him being on the ballot and I'm not surprised with Gerber not being on the ballot.

Yeah you are right, my memory failed me a bit I guess. I seemed to be getting seasons mixed up since the lockout these days. Either way, I think he was one of the only reasons they were even fighting for a spot last year....though, I could be mixing up years again.

I was hoping for something a little more substantive.