2011-2012 NHL Season Thread: FUCK COREY PERRY

[Bregor]

Caps fans, what are the implications of tonight's game against the Penguins? Do you look at this game as a significant one for the likes of a slumping Ovechkin, because of who it's against?

I'm excited and nervous like I always am against the Capitals (except in the playoffs /trollface.jpg), it's too bad we won't have Letang and Michalek for it. Letang is experiencing concussion-like symptoms and he's ill to begin with, so he can't even take a baseline test. He's had migraines since he was 12 though, which obviously share similar symptoms to a concussion, and I can fucking sympathize with him because I've been dealing with them my whole life too. Penguins recalled Despres, very excited to see him in his first NHL game, and Bortuzzo hasn't looked bad at all. It may be my utmost distaste for Lovejoy as an NHL defenseman, but I feel a lot better with Bortuzzo than I do Lovejoy. I'm hoping with the "emergence" this year from Niskanen, who has done a complete 180 from acquiring him last year, keeps Lovejoy the fuck away.

I feel like with Ovechkin getting roasted (or maybe barbecued is the better term) in the media, this being Dale Hunter's second game, and of course the opponent, not to mention the first time Sid v. Ovie since the Winter Classic, this is a huge statement game. If they come out flat, if Semin takes bonehead penalties, if Vokoun lets in a softie early, I feel like personnel changes are also coming. GMGM isn't fucking around, he wants a Cup and if people can't get their shit together this season, he might be sending some guys out of town.

I'll be there tonight. I am pretty excite.

Also, good luck, BB. If you can get someone other that the top line and Selanne to score consistently, more power to ya. Also, Anaheim just became a really interesting trade partner.

[Sepukku]

Where does the untouchable line draw in Washington? Cause honestly, the biggest pieces actually seem to be the core of the problem. Constantly hearing about some of the Caps new guys are out-working and even out-producing some of the Caps stars.

Semin I think would be on the table, but who would want him?

Is Green on the table, despite him being injured?

Is Backstrom on the table? He honestly seems like the only "star" hustling this year when I've watched in on a game or two. (although he did have a down season last year).

Is Ovechkin, dare I say it, on the table? Hes got a long time to turn it around, but him and Kovalchuk are both on the first steps down a road to a Lecalvier type situation where everyone in town recognizes you have talent but you're just being paid too much, too long, to be worth it. $7-9 mil a year is worth 100 pts/year, but not 70-80.

I could see the Caps trading Knuble cause he hasn't been scoring much lately (knock on wood, hope that continues tonight) and he has a leadership-like status being the veteran he is, but who wants a 38ish year old man whos clearly losing his step and not getting it done?

Carlson and Alzner would both be something teams would look at as valuable.

Neuverith?

[Bregor]

Most likely pieces would be Semin, Hamrlik, Wideman, either Neuvirth or Holtby, and despite the injuries, Green.

Knuble's been relegated to the 4th line for some reason. He'll get top minutes soon enough with Hunter coaching, and he always turns it on late, so I wouldn't deal him.

This would be a good time to move a prospect like Eakin or Orlov for a veteran guy, but they're too close to the cap to do it I think.

Ovechkin is untouchable in my opinion. He's the captain, he has a massive contract through 2021, and frankly no one would give fair value for him right now. Carlson and Alzner should be untouchable as well, really good, young defensemen are hard to come by.

Backstrom is playing lights-out this year, trading him would be very counter-productive.

[Thoronas]

Never happen but how funny would it be if Semin was traded to Anaheim. It seems like Semin is really holding Washington back financially as they could get some really good pieces to help the team.

[Bregor]

Never happen but how funny would it be if Semin was traded to Anaheim. It seems like Semin is really holding Washington back financially as they could get some really good pieces to help the team.

He's signed one-year contracts the last three seasons IIRC, which is why he's always the subject of trade rumors when he's being a pinko Commie bastard, or they need cap space, or both.

[Melena]

Pleease be at the Big House, I thought the night-time football stadium game was wayyy better aesthetically than the daytime baseball stadium games. The only real advantage to baseball stadiums is that they can take more time putting together the rink and leave it up for longer. Also as much as I'd like to see a Wings/Hawks rematch, honestly I'd prefer that they invited a warm-weather market team to be the away team, San Jose would be great with the grudge match that they have going with Detroit the last couple of years. If it's another Northeast team I'm going to be mad.

Detroit/San Jose would be an awesome Winter Classic, but I doubt it will happen for all sorts of reasons. So far Pit has had two, Phily has had two games, And then Buffalo, Chicago, Boston, Washington and NYR as the toher teams. Think Chicago has been the furthest west a team has been located to play. Sad since there are a lot of rivalries out there that I think would make some good Winter Classics. SJ/Det, Van/Chi, hell Kings/Ducks would be fun if they could figure out how to play it in 70 degree weather and everyone wearing shorts lol

[Bregor]

Vancouver/Chicago in Vancouver would be epic for the massive rioting the atmosphere.

[Selamis]

I personally would like to see the Avs host a game. Denver, middle of winter, won't have anything but cold and snow...it'd be perfect. Only problem becomes who do you have play them, for ratings? Would you bring in Detroit, due to 90's rivalry? Minnesota, for semi closest region team?

[Judai]

Caps fans, what are the implications of tonight's game against the Penguins? Do you look at this game as a significant one for the likes of a slumping Ovechkin, because of who it's against?

On one side I'm with Bregor that if the team gets blown out by the Pens or something, some bigger changes could occur but I personally feel like the game lost most of it's significance when BB was fired just because there will be an adjustment period for the players and Dale to get on the same page.

As for trade-ables, same thoughts as Bregor again, Semin is a MUST GO imo and I'll say I was thinking Semin+someone/draft pick for Ryan but now that BB is in Anaheim there is no way he would want Semin. Maybe Semin for a first round pick and Kessel could work. (just joking laffs fans)

There is no reason to trade Backstrom, he has found his offensive touch again and he turned into a very good defensive player last year as well. One of the top Centers in the league imo and no reason to trade him. I don't think Neuvirth would be traded because he is our future Goalie but Holtby could get good value after his amazing performance last year. Ovechkin, Johansson, Calrson and Alzner are some of the other top names and I don't see any of them being moved. Green maybe, only because of his injury problems but that also hurts his value. Otherwise I think most others could be moved and definitely some prospects, not to forget that we also have Colorado's first round pick, which should be a Top 10 pick.

[Thoronas]

Vancouver/Chicago in Vancouver would be epic for the massive rioting the atmosphere.

Admit it, luongo behind the scenes could be potentially epic. Also would love to see more of Bolland talking about his Sedin voodoo dolls.

[Deader2818]

Ill trade you Pennar for Semin. Good deal?

[vagus]

If I had to chose 1 Cap player to trade it would be Semin. As stated previously he has no heart. One would debate Ovi has no heart either, but Ovi has shown he's still considered one of the best. This last few days the NHL trade talks have suddenly heated up and we're still months away from the deadline.

So speaking of the "best." In no specific order Crosby, stamkos, datsyuk, sedin, chara as top 5? Is Ovi even in the top 10 anymore?

[Sepukku]

Honestly, I see Chicago and Detroit both getting another WC (not against each other), and I see Pittsburgh-Philadelphia sometime this decade. Boston is likely to have a repeat too, and Minnesota or Colorado are both suitable venues.

Atlanta became Winnipeg, relegating another American market team to now instead be in the pool for Heritage Classic purposes and if Phoenix goes to Ontario, thats another one out of the American WC pool. Some teams, frankly, don't deserve a game. Too poor attendance and/or being in a bad market. The Super Bowl isn't played between shit teams, and it isn't played in fucking North Dakota, both for good reasons. If you want a premier event, it has to be between quality franchises in a heavy draw area where you can get even more side events and secondary advertising going on.

NYI
Carolina
Florida
Tampa Bay
Dallas
Nashville
New Jersey
Phoenix

^All don't deserve a game. Buffalo was probably the worst team to have one so far, I doubt they're getting a second anytime soon. I'm all for a West Coast game between 2 of LA/Anaheim/SJ, IIRC, a preseason game was once played there in the Gretzky era? I leave St. Louis on there as a possible host cause while it doesn't get frigid, they're also not chilling at a warm 75 degrees in January either and maybe they could hold the game around/under the arch and bring in a division rival.

[vagus]

Dallas has strong roots in hockey. Islanders have history. The other ones you listed I agree with though.

[Valisk]

No, Dallas doesn't deserve a classic game. I would take the Islanders off that list as vagus said.

Dallas has strong roots in hockey.

Our roots stem from having the North Stars move from Minnesota to Dallas to make a splash in an untapped market. No history here and not a large enough hockey market.

[Palin]

Only way Dallas gets a game is if its in Minnesota for a North Stars rematch. Which won't draw shit for ratings, so it'll never happen.

[Sepukku]

If I had to chose 1 Cap player to trade it would be Semin. As stated previously he has no heart. One would debate Ovi has no heart either, but Ovi has shown he's still considered one of the best. This last few days the NHL trade talks have suddenly heated up and we're still months away from the deadline.

So speaking of the "best." In no specific order Crosby, stamkos, datsyuk, sedin, chara as top 5? Is Ovi even in the top 10 anymore?

I think the problem is every single NHL GM views Semin as poison, he's not exactly developing a good reputation.

I would never lump players of multiple positions (F, D, G) into the same discussion so:

Forward: Crosby, Stamkos, Datsyuk, Giroux, (pre-injury Kesler, one of the Sedins, or Kopitar for the 5th)

Defense: Chara, Weber, Lidstrom for a top 3 D.

Goalie: I honestly don't know. I think all the "GREAT" goalies are a product of their team's defensive systems and work ethic. Thomas, Fleury, Rinne, etc.

I guess I'll go with Price (the goalie who most CARRIES his team), Quick, and ummm, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I've always been impressed with Varlamov from a technique standpoint, not from a "You play on Boston or Nashville so you're dope" sort of standpoint. I guess Luongo or Brodeur would be my 3rd goalie, but both are really disappointing the past year or two. Howard isn't bad either, fundamentally, for only a couple years pro-starter experience.

[Flarega]

Ovi isn't even top 10 in scoring... Not even top 50.

[Anton]

A bit late, but

RealKyper Nick Kypreos
#Ducks GM Bob Murray has assured Bobby Ryan he is off #NHL trading market today. Also told Ryan’s desire to be moved is no longer an issue.

So there.

This doesn't necessarily mean anything, probably just to get Ryan more focused on his game. It does mean Anaheim shopped him and isn't getting the price they wanted

[bluefan]

At tonights Jets vs Coyotes game. I'm been reading some rumblings that some fans will boo Doan....but I don't know why. He's a great player and left Winnipeg for Phoenix, and nothing he could do about it. Basically grew up in his prime there, started a family there and is basically the face of the franchise (we all know which picture I'm talking about).

His comments on not wanting to come to Winnipeg was misinterpreted. He didn't want to move anywhere. As one of the last remaining trio of original Jets still playing the game, he should be applauded, not boo'd. Show some class 'Peggers!