shadow47

Howard didn't play poorly tonight. This entire board was either waiting to throw Osgood under the bus (if Howard got a shutout) OR say JH completely sucks (if Howard managed to lose to the 'pisspoor Wild offense'). The fact is the same story happened with Detroit giving up numerous clear opportunities or not cutting passes. Howard was no worse than either Wings goaltender this season, which is not to equate Conklin and Osgood because we've all seen the same games but Jimmy is just a cog in the team defense. He's not being given a real chance here, they're jerking him around up and down instead of giving him an opportunity to settle in and get familiar with the NHL. From my point of view that kind of treatment is detrimental to a player's development. There is a significant speed difference between the leagues, this really was to be expected. OsGreat will come back in two weeks and continue to try to give away games, Conklin will keep being so-so and Detroit will try to win a Cup with it's worst goaltending since the early 90s. Like we all expected.

You might not like some of the guy's actions but there's no arguing he's a future Hall-of-Famer.

Just FYI, NO GOALIE has this done to them. It's something that the Habs just did the same thing to Kovalev. They are just doing this so they can say "well we tried" and throw him to the wolves. Which is where he should be thrown, but...

This trade amounts to a second round pick (late 1st SJ) for Campoli, a young offensive d-man who will play pivotal ice-time in Canada's capital. Comrie/McAmmond will both be somewhere else next season. It's a decent move for Murray who, as someone mentioned, is desperate to show an improvement. The playoffs are out of reach but if the team improves its play Murray may keep his job (though I wouldn't bet on it).

I can't stand people who say "that save was SO much more acrobatic THAN IT HAD TO BE". Just shut up already...there are tons of variables in hockey, you can't just butterfly slide on every ******* shot, you're telling me that Kipprusoff, one of the best goaltenders in the world, made some easily avoidable error forcing him to dive and stop a sure goal? Just because guys are incredible at reading plays and make it seem so easy on television does not mean they can just do it 100% of the time. Use your brains. I don't even find that save that outlandish but for people to just dismiss it in favor of their beloved "perfectly square to the puck butterfly play" is so ******* shallow.

Player interviews are scripted...the players get coached on how to answer questions in the media. It's all bulls***, there's no point, it's all PR. What did you guys think?

Maybe Hasek feels like unretiring.

Avery is way better than anyone on the Penguins.

He did fine for a guy who is a sniper. I'm not seeing the slapping. The "bongos" are just rapid punches that aren't necessarily connecting--if you're not used to fighting it's easy for your hands to open when you're hitting someone. Get a reality check peeps.

The socks MAKE the outfit. Those candy stripes are straight out of NHL Films. Edit: Honestly though, there is a moment during the game when I thought, god, WHY oh why does the league think that these cutesy new-age flashy vertical stripe footballer jerseys look good? The retro jerseys almost made it feel like a real hockey game again instead of "Scorers on Ice".

Even a fan like me who'll watch whatever game is on Versus gets sick of seeing Crosby everywhere. Anyone who says "good goal" on that play needs to get slapped.

Don't worry, once Bulin jumps ship to the highest bidder next season the Hawks will be stuck with Huet who anyone can see is a sieve.

Hockey players are the worst interviews in sports, boring mundane canned answers from boring mundane conservative people. It's amazing how long I've ignored this fact. The league pretends to want to market the players but they just want to put on a front. It's sad. Praise Avery for injecting some reality into a sport that is being smothered in fantasy and facade. Suck my sloppy seconds, NHL.

Sick, just sick. This unreal Osgood love affair is over...I think it must be the "fans" with the Cup hangover. Ozzy has been one of the worst tenders in the league all year, and isn't improving. He can't stop anything, any goal against someone can find excuses for, but c'mon folks, 5 goals allowed on 25 shots is inexcusable considering that sort of percentage is normal most nights with him in net. It's about time we all move on as objective followers of the sport and admit that this guy doesn't have it the slightest bit right now.

It boggles me how anyone can maintain Hull "kicked the puck to his stick". That is all Bettman could come up with, when has Gary had a clue about anything remotely hockey-related. Seriously guys, rewatch the goal.

So is it the 3.13 GAA or the .884 save percentage that you consider "fine"? Among goaltenders playing at least 4 games Osgood is 21st in GAA and has the 7th worst save percentage. That said, guys like Luongo, Nabokov, and Turco have all had horrendous statistical starts. Of course...well, I won't say it.

You guys have no taste, this is surprisingly good. Logo is weirdly shapen that's why it's so small. Edit: A little like the too-small Ducks wordmark logo. Might've been interesting if they had the new "footprint" logo on the chest or even the regular head logo which I'm not that crazy about. Whatever.

It's 2007 every year man. Did I mention "I tip my hat to Osgood, but..."? Just kidding.

Someone told me 0.0 is supposed to be eyes and a nose, as in "a face"...I'm not sure I get it.

It's just supply and demand really...however I do think they're paid more than is necessary but you can't blame them for trying to get as much as possible. That said, I cannot afford to go to a game (though I did pay $175 for one seat at Detroit/SJ Game 3 in 2007, but I guess that's the point)...

Detroit should pick up Khabibulin. They'd be guaranteed a Cup if they did that. I ******* tip my hat to Osgood last year but does anyone really believe he's going to do it again? I have plenty of respect for him but really... Why are they giving up 30 shots a game this season? It's a bit strange. Barring Khabibulin they should lure Hasek out of retirement--see my psychedelic post on this.

Moral: blow away less rabbits.

Alex Ovekchin was the BEST player in the league last year, bar none. C'mon, the guy was an absolute FORCE every shift crushing opposition teams with his checks despite not being that big, led the league in goals on not a great team and was the s*** in the stretch drive scoring goals, leading his team. You CANNOT CANNOT say Lidstrom had a better season, c'mon now.

Hart Trophy's description can say what it wants so fans can argue, it gets awarded to the BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE. Period. There is no BEST PLAYER award so that's what the Hart is used for. Sure one good player on a s*** team looks better but in the end it is the top player in the league that wins it.

Satan has scored anywhere he's been...nothing else really matters, Satan does his job, even in Buffalo he was the top scorer every year. Go figure, he's the the top scorer during the regular season and a healthy scratch in the playoffs. WTF is that?! There are a lot of players, esp. Europeans it seems, that are very streaky etc., Miroslav Satan scores consistently everywhere. Anyway, the point is, Sid will have a solid finisher if Miro is on his line this season, he's also a great passer. Can you say career year for Miro? I'd love to see it. That guy is very consistent.