toby91_ca

Ummm, when does a hooking play ever happen when you are not trying to impede the progress of the opposing player? If this does happen, why are you doing it? I hate all the calls, but I don't hate the rule. If players simply stopped using their sticks to slow guys down, there would be no calls and the game would be better. I'm sorry, there is no excuse for you to lift your stick off the ice and use it to try and slow someone down (basically using it as an extention of your body). If you are not as fast or as skilled as the opposing player and you can't beat him to the puck or can't stop him from getting around you without using your stick.....well, too bad for you, the guy should be allowed to skate by you or you'll get called for a penalty. Otherwise, you are allowing less skilled guys to hamper the abilities of highly skilled players. I have to think that the calls will slowly begin to lessen as players adapt. A lot of players continue to hook and hold simply out of habit and this will take time to stop.

I disagree, I think most would say 2002, not 2001 Oh, and it can't be 1996, apparently that team wasn't even "stacked." I tried to suggest that it was, but apparently I am wrong

I doubt many people actually think Hank will be #1. Edit: I suspect the lead will change hands, but I got the impression from your post that Vinny isn't at all expected to be near the lead throughout the season, so him being there now is only temporary. I know, I'm probably putting far too many words in your mouth. The lead might not change that often though. Last year, Crosby took the lead in early December and he held that lead for the rest of the year.

Why do you say that? Vinny lead the league in goals last year and was 3rd in pts. I suspect Crosby will take the lead at some point and not look back, but it's not exactly a shocker to have Vinny leading right now and there is no reason to think he couldn't hang on to it for awhile.

I don't have a problem with the trapezoid rule. A guy should be able to get the puck in deep and beat the defenders to the puck to create scoring chances without having the goalie simply come out and eliminate those chances. The trapezoid rule only limits the handling of the puck in small areas, it isn't a big deal. In terms of being fair game, I do have a bit of a problem with that. With all the gear on a goalie, they could tend to fall awkwardly if they get hit and this could create injuries. A hit to a regular skater may result in the player not even falling down, but the same hit to a goalie could potentially result in a serious injury.

Tampa isn't going to break up Vinny, St. Louis and Prospal are they? Seriously though, the ZDH line has been great, but probably a stretch to call them the best line in hockey (maybe the hottest line at one point). I think they will definately need to be broken up at some point. With their current roster, I don't think they can win in the playoffs with Datsyuk and Zetterberg on the same line. However, things are going okay right now, so there is no panic to break them up yet. It's not like in Pittsburgh where they have nothing beyond Crosby and Malkin, they never should have played together to begin with. Detroit has a little more depth then that and can afford to play them together for awhile.

Well, in case no one has noticed, parity in this league is upon us. Look at the current last place team, they still have a winning % close to .400. The last time the place team hasn't had that good of a winning % was 20 years ago and even then, there were far more poor teams, so it's not the same. Most of the league right now is hovering around .500. There are a few teams that are doing significantly better, but that's about it. I'm just trying to wonder if I like it this way and, to be honest, I really don't. I liked it when the league had powerhouse teams, I liked Dynasties (not that they came around very often). I liked it when there were always a few teams that got a pounding occassionaly. I can't help but wonder if this is another reason why scoring is down. You no longer get into the playoffs easily by simply being one of the better teams, you no longer have those nights were a team comes in and your star players just light it up against the weak competition. Remember when Ottawa was terrible? Atlanta? Some may say it is also due to the fact that there hasn't been a new expansion team in awhile to beat up on, but I don't buy into that. Detroit and Toronto had terrible seasons not that long ago as well, along with many other teams that had been in the league for years. Just a quick rant, no real purpose. I'm on the fence a little I suppose, but definately leaning to the "not liking it" side.

Is this the only thing you have to worry about, seriously? Firstly, I like that you can't change after icing the puck, secondly, you can't really control when TV timeouts happen.

I'm assuming if someone lives in Indiana, they do not get FSN Detroit.

How does that make any sense at all?

Avery and Tucker play the same type of s*** disturbing game. I think Tucker has more offensive upside though (or used to, he is 5 or 6 years older than Avery). From what I have heard though, Tucker doesn't make the classless remarks that Avery does to other players....don't get me wrong though, Tucker does get under guys' skins. Neither guy is going to drop their gloves with a heavyweight.

It was a good goal, but not that good (in terms of being the nicest goals I have ever seen....not even in the atmosphere). It was #3 on TSN's NHL plays of the week. I guessed we are blessed in Canada....we actually have NHL plays of the week.

No, this has nothing to do with Detroit, I would have had the same thoughts last week, or last year even, or even earlier than that. Timing of the post is just a coincidence. I agree, it's not just more goals (though I would like to see this), it just more exciting games that I am looking for. Case in point is the Montreal vs. Ottawa game the other day. That was the most exciting game I have watched so far this year and there were only 4 goals scored (one of which was EN).

I think it would depend on why there is parity. I think the main reason there is parity now is due to the style of play each team plays. You can't have every team play a run and gun offensive style because they simply don't have the talent necessary to win that type of game. Therefore, you have teams playing a defensive, smothering style of game which gives them a chance to win, even though they may be less talented. I would love to see 82 great games from each team, but that's not what I am seeing now. What I see now is mostly below average games with the occasional great game. I was far more excited watching games in years gone by than I am now. To me, the only thing that is going to increase scoring and make games more exciting is to change the way teams approach games (i.e. play more run and gun). However, this will never happen because there is too much on the line. Every team has to play to not lose and the way to do that is to play as defensively as possible. There is no rule that you can put in place that will fight that....from what I can tell. The more calls for hooking, holding, etc. has been somewhat good, but has the game really changed that much because of it? Have many guys actually stopped the hooking and holding? For the most part, I think it has just resulted in more powerplays, which isn't more exciting. I haven't done the research, but I bet if you did, you would see that even strength scoring is WAY DOWN compared to 15 years ago. Maybe it will just take more time for the game to change...we'll see.

Not so sure the Defensemen i nthe Eastern conference are terrible. McCabe should never be an All-Star, but he's on the ballot due to his offense (same reason Gonchar is on there....if he is indeed on there, I haven't checked). I was watching the Sens game the other day and their defensmen are amazing, then again, probably not fair to use them as the example. I've watched quite a few Pittsburgh games as well and their defensemen are incredibly terrible (worst I've seen in awhile). Speaking of Pittsburgh, I feel bad for them. For some reason, some media types have hyped them to be cup contenders coming into this season, obviously because of Crosby, but they must have some sort of a basketball background where one player makes a big difference....it doesn't work that way in hockey. They are supposedly an offensive powerhouse....not based on the games I have watched. Their defense is terrible, MAF is actually a great goalie, but his is still young and gets absolutely no support. If you look at that team, beyond Crosby and Malkin, they are terrible (Staal has been a good penalty killer, but other than that, he's been pretty bad). They also boast the two oldest forwards in the league in Recchi and Roberts. Hate to say it, but it looks like those 2 should have hung up the skates last year.

Since there are no games until Saturday, it's definately not too early to get pumped for the game....especially since you are making the trip. Of note though, I think the Wings still OWN the division, too early to suggest Chicago is going to give them a run for the title (though they might). I think it appears that way since the Hawks have their number so far this year, but the Wings still have a very healthy lead and there is no reason, yet, to think they won't win the division easily again.

He's making just over $7 million this year, but his avIerage salary over his contract is $5.75 million....still way too high, but not as bad as $7 million looks. Also, I highly doubt the Leafs see him as indispensible. If I were to guess, I think they would love to get rid of him, but that's not possible with his high salary and no trade clause.

Here's the thing, if ESPN started broadcasting NHL games, we as hockey fans would benefit (well, not me, I couldn't care less since I live in Canada), but would ESPN benefit?? The answer to that question is likely no and that's why the NHL is not on ESPN.

Osgood didn't player for St. Louis and NYI as a younger goalie (younger than he is now I suppose, but you make it seem like that's where he started his career before coming to the Wings). Why bring up Cam Ward, suggesting that he is on the Osgood path and nobody is tapping him for the Hall. The guy is 23 years old. I think technically, last year was his rookie year.

OFF TOPIC: I don't think GST said any of that, but I think you eluded to the fact that since Zetterberg is on pace for 60 goals that there is an excellent chance he will get 60 goals, but of course Datsyuk being on pace for only 10 goals means nothing, he'll do better than that. You still fail to realize the point that GST was making, which is quite simple and I don't believe he was suggesting that Datysuk wasn't going to score or Zetterberg wasn't going to score. I don't think he used the same words, but I think the thought was that you should either go with projections (pace) or not, you can't point to it for one player than ignore it for another. ON TOPIC: I think I'll just enjoy the streak Zetterberg is on right now and I'll start thinking about 50 when he has at least 30 goals and is still on pace for over 50. Of note, Crosby tied him for the scoring lead tonight.

I think the year you are referring to is 91...and I'm not sure how it is comparable. That year, Oates had 25 goals and 115 points in 61 games. That would be the equivalent of 34 goals and 155 points over 82 games. Datsyuk is currently on pace for 10 goals and 77 points. Now, I am not worried about Datsyuk, I think he is playing fine, but if Zetterberg cools off, there may be a problem with scoring if no one else picks it up. 10 goals and 77 points just isn't good enough for Datsyuk, anyone arguing otherwise is misstaken.

He really isn't that young anymore.

Are you serious? Where did you hear that? If that is true....I'm speechless.

I forgot all about the HOF ceremonies are today and on my way into work (the HHOF is in the basement of the building I work in), I was walking by the setup downstairs in the foyer. Chairs and stage set up with the names of Messier, Francis, etc. up there, red carpet.... I'm 30 years old, but stuff like this just makes me feel like a little kid again. Not only will the greats getting inducted be here today, but there will be several other all time greats here as well, at least there normally is. I guess Gretzky won't be here though since they are playing tonight in San Jose. Not sure why it makes me feel like a kid since I have met quite a few of the greats in the past (Orr, Howe, Lafleur, etc.). And heck, I even bumped into Brashear (literally) last week. He's a big guy. I've never met Messier though.

He's on the top of my biggest jerks list. Stats is always a greater starting point. I'm not sure how jerk can be interpreted differently, but I guess you have a bit of a point, though, the vast majority of the population thinks that several of the goalies on your list are jerks (I know, this doesn't mean they are).