toby91_ca

The Kings played a few exhibition games over there and they open their regular season against Anahiem in Europe on Saturday, with another game to follow on Sunday. I think the regular season opens for the rest of the league next Wednesday.

I wouldn't say there is a "good chance" that Lidstrom will still be around then. I think it is definately more likely that he will be retired by then. For that matter, there is a chance that Rafalski will be retired as well (he and Niedermayer are the same age).

He's already been suspended indefinately and he deserves it. The league is going to be cracking down hard on this type of thing. First, McCammond is a bit of a tough guy. Downie is a bit of a tough guy. Earlier in the shift, Downie got sat down, so he was out to even the score. McCammond, more than anyone else on the Sens should have been aware of what could, and eventually did, happen. McAmmond is by no means a tough guy (Lidstrom almost had double the penalty minutes he had last year). Even if he was a tough guy, should that matter? Also, the fact that Downie was out to even the score makes it even worse for him, the hit was premetatated, therefore, showing a clear intent to injure. Second, it wasn't a late hit. McCammond had just passed the puck. Even though McCammond did just pass the puck, there was no way that Downie could have seen that. Watch the replay, just as McCammond is passing the puck. From where Downie was, there is no way he could have seen that. Whether the hit was late or not doesn't really matter too much since it was a completely illegal hit anyway, but the hit was very late. McAmmond got rid of the puck before he even started going around the net and he got nailed when he got around to the other side of the net. Finally, McCammond, again a bit of a tough guy in his own right, should have known better than to skate with his head down. That is a rookie mistake. If Colby Armstrong didn't get suspended for the hit he threw in the playoffs, how is Downie going to get suspended for this hit? A 5 minute major, maybe a game misconduct. But not a suspension. You are right, McAmmond shouldn't have been skating with his head down, but that doesn't make the hit he received any less vicious or less suspendable, that is simply and absurd comment to make. For the record, the only thing similar between this hit and the Armstrong his is that both players were hit while going around the net (heads down). The Armstrong hit was completely within the rules of the game (feet down, no elbows, guy has the puck). While a lot of people are starting to wonder about whether something needs to be changed with respect to the rules around hits like the Armstrong hit, it is currently legal, while the Downie hit is nowhere near legal. Comparing the two hits at all is strange.

Has anyone seen these videos? http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/...egoryId=2459791 Few comments on the goals: - I thought Crosby's best goal last year was the one he scored against the Rangers, it's not there. - Goal Malkin scored against Jersey (maybe best goal of the year), not there. - I don't remember many spectacular goals from Ovechkin last year, but surely he scored nicer goals than the 2 that are in the video (turnaround wrister from the blueline that flukes its way in?). - Didn't Zetterberg have a real nice goal last year (actually I think it was a pass to Datsyuk for the goal) - or was that the year before? I noticed some glaring omissions from the hit list as well.

Preseason doens't really mean anything, so I wouldn't think too much of it at this point. MacLean lead teh entire NHL in scoring during preseason one year and he can't even crack an NHL roster.

I only watched the goals piece, since I am at work, I'll limit it to that for now.

In terms of the Sabres having great fans right now, is that really the case? Aren't half the fans that go to the games from Ontario? In terms of being annointed Hockeytown, it's not like the Wings were named Hockeytown anyway, it's just a marketing gimmick the organization came up with. Probably shouldn't take it so seriously.

Actually, I think Football was invented in Canada as well. And Baseball, I think that was derived from games played in England.

Not really, but it might have to do with the fact that he is standing next to someone that is 250lbs.

He just turned 34 too. Actually though, my brother in law has had quite a bit of grey in his hair since he was 20 or so. How about that American Idol guy? Not sure how old he is, but there is some age limit in the mid-20s or so isn't there?

Well, if he is playing wing, then he won't be taking faceoffs (not many anyway). I didn't read the article and maybe they are suggesting he takes the draws and then moves over the wing position during play, but I can't imagine that would work very well.

He plays hockey, not baseball. He'll go in as Chris Chelios, who played for "x" teams over "x years"

Here is something I haven't bothered to check into, but I can't imagine there are many players, if anyone other than Chelios that has played at least 7 seasons each with 3 different teams. Did you just say that maybe Draper could get his number retired?

That is quite a large list, I would normally expect 50-55, but then again, there are 16 free agent try outs attending this year. The Wings training camp is starting with 67 players, not 77, but your point is quite valid.

I would go one step further and say that I wouldn't care if ALL SOURCES had the same prediction, since it really is just opinion and doesn't mean anything. If it really meant anything, the games wouldn't have to be played.

It comes automatically for me, just got the memo from Bell...the price went up this year to $189 (I'm in Ontario). I can't help but think that the price is high and those signing up for the first time may be paying less. I'm too lazy to bother investigating that though.

No, not the first time, he looked just as goofy playing last year.

They will unveil later today, but weren't the rookies already wearing the jersey? Edit, I take that back, I went and looked at pictures from a game against Pittsburgh, the Penguins were wearing their new jerseys, but the Leafs were wearing their old ones.

Sort of. Here are some of the lyrics to Breed by Nirvana: Even if you have Even if you need I don't mean to stare We don't have to breed We could plant a house We could build a tree I don't even care We could have all three She said Now maybe the person just didn't remember the exact words when repeating them. Two possibilities here: 1. Grinder is stealing lines or using similar lines in their songs, or the most likely, 2. Grinder simply sang a Nirvan song.

Looks pretty much the same as it did when I checked about 3-4 weeks ago.....slow process for sure.

Is it just me, or everytime I see Datsyuk playing baseball, he looks like a bit of a dork? Definately doesn't come across as a super athlete.

Here is what I don't understand: It is very obvious that talks have been occuring with Bowman and the Leafs, which means Bowman must have some interest in some role. If that is the case, it is simply a matter of the Leafs not giving Bowman the control he wants. Why wouldn't they give him the control? I guess I do understand......that is simply the way the organization is run and that is the problem. They will continue to print money, but that will likely not result in success on the ice.

Well, that is a matter of judgement. Turgeon is better than a point per game player over his career and has scored more than 500 goals in the league. Anderson is not a point per game player and hasn't scored 500 goals. Ciccarelli scored more than 600 goals, but he is not a point per game player either.

I probably should have said invisible from the scoresheet as I was only able to watch bits and pieces of a couple of the games (though, I didn't see much of him during that time either). He is effectively 17 (birthday next week). Turris and Gagner are only a year older than him.

Has anyone actually seen any stats from this series other than scores? I thought Tavares was kinda invisible, I think he only had 1 goal. I know he is still a little young, but from all I have heard about him, he is supposed to be the next great one coming along.