NHL Season 08-09

[Bregor]

First step to reviving the franchise, fire Wayne Gretzky.

Hate to say it, but I agree with you there. It seems like since he arrived, the focus of the franchise has never been the on-ice product. They haven't made the playoffs since the lockout and there's no evidence they will keep any of the young talent around long enough to matter. I'd love to see them back in Winnipeg or another Canadian market.

This all speaks to the larger problem of the expansion/relocation under Bettman. Three teams in California, two in Floirda, Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, Nashville... not exactly places where kids grow up skating on the frozen pond down the street. Bettman has overstayed his welcome as far as I'm concerned.

Oh, and Brill, Hartford is in Connecticut. :D

[Ishido]

Someone mentioned Hull getting into the HOF but not Yzerman? For shame.

The Captain, Hull, Robitaille, and Leetch make up a great HOF class.

[Thoronas]

Yeah definately a good year for HOF. One thing a lot of Canadians have really liked seeing is the fact that these teams in non-traditional markets are helping to get hockey programs started in these cities. Thinking of a hockey team in Atlanta still makes me lol but these teams are helping to bring hockey to new cities.

Now pull them out and send them back to Canada. :D

[Selamis]

Someone mentioned Hull getting into the HOF but not Yzerman? For shame.

The Captain, Hull, Robitaille, and Leetch make up a great HOF class.

That was me, and I didn't see him mentioned in the article on Fox Sports so I didn't mention it lol. My bad.

[Brill Weave]

Home is where the Hartford is. And I have no response to my level of geographical ineptitude. Brainfarts are always the worst when people are there to witness them.

[Arnwulf]

WIERZBOWSKI! WIERZBOWSKI!!!!

Anyway, I don't see a team moving back to Hartford, but I do agree that one in KC would fail. More teams in Canada is a good way to go for the NHL, either that, or have a more strict ownership screening process for the teams in the "hard to market" areas. That way at least the team will have a chance at being good due to the owners being willing to put together a meaningful team.

Florida Panthers and the Coyotes have not been successful in forever, I think the Panthers need to bring back that stuffed Rat that helped them through the playoffs, that and Scott Mellanby and the Beezer!

[Thoronas]

The ONLY place in Canada that could actually sustain a NHL team (ie buy enough tickets to make them profitable) is in Ontario. Winnipeg does not have a big enough stadium or enough money to make it work in this day and age. Quebec city, same thing.

[Abraxas]

yzerman should get in for that shot against grant fuhr alone.

and screw brett hull. he's a douche

[Oxyminus]

Someone mentioned Hull getting into the HOF but not Yzerman? For shame.

The Captain, Hull, Robitaille, and Leetch make up a great HOF class.

Mark Messier is The Captian, everyone knows this!

[Thoronas]

Fuck Messier

[Brill Weave]

E-FIGHT!!!!!!

[Abraxas]

what happened to sepukku? did he die in the celebrations?

[Brill Weave]

He's been around. Just not as much since the season is over. I believe he has transitioned to a Buddhist monk after his stint with Taoism fell through. Once training camp opens he'll be fine.

[Sepukku]

what happened to sepukku? did he die in the celebrations?

I'm right here, sweetie <333333

[Abraxas]

oh i really didnt care, just inching closer and closer to new titledom

[Brill Weave]

Keep inching bitch. It's not like anyone even acknowledges this thread outside of us. It's like our own personal spam area.

[Aksannyi]

I'll spam you.

I have been reading this thread but I'm not particularly interested in the offseason, never really have been. I consider it a nice little surprise when the season starts, to find out who we got and who we lost.

[Thoronas]

The draft is tomorrow which is kinda exciting for about 5 minutes. After that it's just a roll call of young players who probably won't make it in the NHL.

July 1st is what I'm looking forward to. But I can understand how some people would rather wait until the new season to find out who got who. All I care about is that Calgary loses Camalleri, Minnesota loses Gaborik.

[Richybear]

Do ya think the Sisters are gonna re-sign in Vancouver though?
Still wondering how much movement will be made at tomorrow's Draft.
Kaberle and Bouwmeester are rumoured to be on the move. But as for J-Bo, it's just to get his rights before July 1st to see if you can sign him before he becomes a free agent.
Aside from seeing who wins in the Tavares/Hedman battle for #1 overall pick, my guess is the next best part will be the Habs fans booing Brian Burke.

[Arnwulf]

I think there will be a fair amount of trades at the draft today, lots of rumors swirling around and some teams are looking to dump salary. I can definitely see my Blue Jackets trading away our pick for a roster player from a team that needs salary dump, since we have a little cushion and have a few needs.

As far as free agency goes, it's going to be interesting, let's just leave it at that.