up2here

So I attended the Halifax Mooseheads game vs. Baie Comeau last night and it was yet another entertaining game of junior hockey. Marty Frk really stood out and even garnered First Star honors. Frk has been really playing well of late and his shot is, by all accounts, already of elite NHL level. What has really impressed me though is the improvement in his skating from last year to now. I think were looking at a potential 40 goal scorer in the NHL if they ever play again.

So Frk's team the Halifax Mooseheads just swept the St. John's Sea Dogs in the playoffs. Marty had an "OK" 4 games: 6 Goals & 4 Assists. This kid looks like a second round steal now that he's healthy again.

I assume youre talking about Dekeyser. Its been mentioned here that the rumours are that he has been promised an NHL job right away.

Is it pronounced Yarn-Crock?

Marc Staals horrible injury last night has re-sparked the debate on whether visors should be mandatory in the NHL. I personally feel they should be because history shows that hockey players arent that smart or are very stubborn. I have played a lot of hockey and have worn a visor for years and dont feel it inhibits me in any way. NHL players dont wanna wear visors, they wear shorter gloves exposing their wrists and forearms. Kevlar socks and armbands have been available for years and hardly anyone uses them. Neck protectors have been around even longer and I cant think of a single NHL who wears one yet EVERY single NHL player wear shin pads, protecting apparently the most vital of all body parts- The Shin.

The worst part about this isnt that its stupid (Which it really ,really is) its that its not even original. Phil Bourque tried the same moronic move back in the early 90's on a penalty shot I think.

I'll defend shootouts as a good idea when the NFL decides games by having the Quarterback throw balls through a hanging tire.

Kevin is 18 now and I assume that if he was an elite prospect we would have heard about it now. But, does anyone know much about him and his brothers? I cant seem to find any info. I also found it interesting that Nick has 4 sons while Stevie has 3 daughters. Has it occured to anyone else that we should get these kids together so they can mate and create some kind of super-human hockey player?

No way in hell the Ducks deal him to a team in the West first of all. Second of all theyre playing too well to trade him. Thirdly Tatar and Andersson wouldnt be enough to get Perry. It would take at LEAST Nyquist and Smith plus a first rounder.

There have been many examples of children being as good if not better than their fathers (Brett Hull, Barry Bonds etc.) and I think its also safe to say there have been even more examples of children being nothing close to as good as their fathers. However I cant think of an example in any sport where two hall of famers offspring had their own children. Perhaps nature wouldnt even allow it so as not to make the rest of mankind feel inferior.

Ive been to most major North American cities and Montreal is one of my Favs. If you cant have fun in Montreal youre a corpse. Boston is also a blast.

I say we all meet for a weekend in Montreal and take a game in. Blow the doors right off that city. Sacre Bleu!

The Ducks just hamstrung themsleves for the next 8 years. I'm also a big fan of Getzlaf but what does this mean Crosby, Stamkos or Malkin will make in their next contract?10 mil per? 11?

This is what drives fans and players crazy. The Wings and Oilers played a few weeks ago and there was something like 15 power-plays called and then 1 last night. I would argue its impossible for the exact same teams to play that close together and there be THAT big of a disparity in penalties. No one has any freaking clue what a penalty is anymore. Call it or not call it but at least be somewhat consistent. Were trying to attract new fans and anyone who watched the last two Wings/Oilers games would be thoroughly confused. I'm not sure what reaction we want for our new hockey fans but I'm pretty sure "confusion" isnt high on the list.

Oh I agree its a stretch and I seriously doubt that whether a player wears a visor or not would mean the difference between life and death (Like a seatbelt or helmet) but my point remains true. People are generally too stupid/stubborn to know whats good for them. In particular I find this to be very true of hockey players. With the new sticks all players are shooting harder now which means there's less time for players to react to deflections and shots. Unfortunately I think were going to see more incidents like the Staal one.

I always go back to the seatbelt laws for automobiles. Sometimes people are too stubborn or stupid to know whats good for them and their safety has to be enforced with laws, or in this case, rules. The "Grown Men making their choice" argument is weak as a kitten in my opinion.

They had to enforce helmets so I dont see the visor being much different. They can grandfather them in just like with helmets making all new players wear them and eventually the visorless helmet will become a thing of the past. Like someone else mentioned this wont protect the players 100% but it will certainly help.

I have to say. I was thoroughly entertained by all the wild guessing as who the Wings were going to sign today. Nothing quite like a bunch of guys with no insider connections(Myself included)randomly guessing names and trying to sound smart. Keep up the good work boys!

Read the article. It says the Wings need a player to replace Coliacavo and Ericsson.

Lets play some games before we go too crazy. Maybe Kronwall and Ericsson step their game up, maybe the loss of Lidstrom forces the entire team to focus more on defense. As for the potential new rules for buyouts this year. I dont see any benefit to the teams buying the contracts out this season. They may as well keep them home and under contract in case disaster hits and they actually need them.

I would laugh too. Especially since Bogosian plays for Winnipeg.

Adding the 'Players who have played in at least 82 games' caveat is kinda unfair I think. Those kind of trades dont happen that much in general. I think Kenny is very careful not to overpay either via trade or in Free Agency and I appreciate that.

Saw this today. Amazing how quickly this guys stock has dropped. From Rotoworld: Former Oiler defenseman Cam Barker was released by the Texas Stars of the AHL Saturday. He did not show enough to earn a spot on the club's roster. it has been a rapid decline for Barker, who was once thought to be one of the NHL's brightest young rearguards. We doubt he will have any fantasy value again

Im not sure how much big spending you will see this offseason. The Cap going DOWN hasnt happened since it was introduced in the previous CBA. It will be interesting for sure.