[Calgarian]

So the new season is upon us. Predictions?

I think the Pacific is the division to watch this year, San Jose and Anaheim both look superb heading into the season.

I think Calgary and Ottawa are pretty much guaranteed to make the playoffs (knock on wood), Vancouver look like they will miss the playoffs again, Edmonton has no defense, Toronto sucks (as usual) and firing Pat Quinn was a dumb move, and Montreal is a big question mark?

Thoughts?

[Claeren]

I basically agree.

San Jose looks deadly, i like Anaheim's chances but they are almost overrated now. I think Edmonton will start strong but fade down the stretch in a big way while Calgary will do the opposite, starting weak and scarying everyone before peaking for the playoffs. TO is in trouble but firing Quinn was a good thing, Ottawa looks no better then they have over the past few prior years so likely an early exit (again) for them. And Montreal is indeed a question mark, yet again, going into the year...


Claeren.

[cornholio]

Ottawa will do good and be fighting for number 1 in their division(still a great team), Montreal will stink and come in around 11th(dont see to many positives), Toronto will be fighting to stay out of the 15th spot(they should start rebuilding), Edmonton will be fighting for the 8th spot but I say will come in 9th(not the greates team although had a great run last year after hovering around 9th spot all season, no real improvments), Calgary will do good and be fighting for number 1 in their division(still a great team), Vancouver will be fighting for the 8th and squeek in(finaly they droped some dead weights and dont have to much presure on themsels).

Well these were my predictions in september on pg 1, somewhat acurate...anyways here are my predictions for the playoffs.

Round 1
Buffalo over Islanders 4-0
New Jersy over Tampabay 4-1
NY Rangers over Atlanta 4-3
Ottawa over Pitsburgh 4-2

Detroit over Calgary 4-1
Anahaim over Minesota 4-0
Vancouver over Dallas 4-1
San Jose over Nashville 4-2

Round 2
Buffalo over NY Rangers 4-2
Ottawa over New Jersy 4-3

San Jose over Detroit 4-1
Vancouver over Anahaim 4-3

Round 3
Ottawa over Buffalo 4-2

Vancouver over San Jose 4-1

Final
Vancouver over Ottawa 4-1

[jeffwhit]

I agree pretty much completely with Claeren.

Pat Quinn seemed to foster a cliquey team. Also, it seems like the general consensus is that Maurice's training camp was much more strenuous that Quinn's. Quinn maybe was a little too old school. I don't know why I'm talking about the Leafs though, a playoff spot for them would be truly shocking.

San Jose looks awesome, I'm not as sold on Anaheim as a lot of people.

Ottawa seems a lot less awesome then they did a year ago.

[The Chemist]

After watching Ottawa play TO last night, I'm pretty convinced they're the real deal. They've finally got a goaltender in Gerber that could take them all the way.

As for the Flames, I'm pretty confident that they'll do well this year. I'm a bit concerned about a weak start, but I think that Iggy and Tanguay will really hit it off and become one of the top scoring pairs in the NHL. Goaltending and defence is not an issue, so if our offence gets going, we'll challenge for the conference title.

Flames - Sens for the Cup, with the Flames winning in 6. :) Go Flames Go!

[habsfan]

Vancouver should be in the playoffs. With a goalie like Luongo(who will steal a few games by himself) they'll be able to squeek in. 7th in the west

Calgary will have a slow start, but as the season progesses, they'll do better.(They should finish 3rd or 4th in the western conference.

Edmonton will be battling for the 8th spot. The loss of Pronger will be hard on their D(8th or 9th in the West)

Toronto will strugle most of the year. Raycroft is not a saviour. theyll finish 12th in the east.

Ottawa is still a good team, but the Loss of Chara and Havlat is not negligeable. 4th or 5th in the east.

The Habs will be fighting all year long to make the playoffs. There are many question marks, but if Huet can repeat, if Koivu, Kovalev and Samsonov can stay healthy and if the D can play a basic game, they should be able to make it. 8th in the east.

[Coldrsx]

Habs - All depends on Goaltending IMO....(5th)

Sens - looking good, depends on gerber (3rd)

Leafs - another disappointing effort (10th)

Hamilton - exciting young team with crosby:>

Flames - solid team, maybe can get more than 2 goals a game now (3rd)

Oilers - 3 killer lines, 300 goals, weak D, depends on Rolli (6th) *most exciting team to watch.

Nuks - wonder if coach gets fired 1st or trades happen (8-10th)

[Coldrsx]

The Battle of Alberta begins tonight
The Battle of Alberta

Canadian Press

10/5/2006 10:09:46 AM

CALGARY (CP) - The Flames' Jim Playfair wasn't the only one feeling opening-night jitters heading into his first game as head coach of an NHL team.

"My mom phoned me, she's got them, and my brother phoned me and he's got them," Playfair said Wednesday. "The nervous energy in your body is making sure you are triggering on all cylinders. That just means you are getting ready and it matters to you."

Playfair will make his NHL head coaching debut Thursday when the Oilers host the Flames at Rexall Place in the season opener for both clubs.

Playfair was an assistant coach for three seasons before general manager Darryl Sutter vacated the head coaching position and promoted Playfair in July.

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It will be a memorable first game for the 42-year-old Playfair, a native of Fort St. James, B.C., because it kicks off this season's Battle of Alberta and it will be on national television.





"I'm looking for a good tie," he joked.

Edmonton and Calgary will meet eight times this season, including the Flames' home opener Saturday at the Pengrowth Saddledome. The two clubs will also square off in their regular-season finale on April 7 at Calgary.

Their Cinderella runs of the last two NHL post-seasons have revived the provincial rivalry that lost its lustre when Edmonton and Calgary were have-not teams that barely made the playoffs, or in the case of the Flames, not at all from 1997 to 2003.

The Flames were the sixth seed in the Western Conference and went on to reach the 2004 Stanley Cup final, where they lost in seven games to Tampa Bay.

After the NHL lockout, the Oilers surprised almost everyone last spring by coming out of the eight-hole to reach the final before losing in seven games to Carolina.

Calgary has been picked as one of this season's Stanley Cup contenders and a possible top three finisher in the Western Conference.

Despite the confidence and momentum the Oilers gained last spring, prognosticators have been less kind to Edmonton and another run like last season is seen as a longshot.

"You know what they say about predictions. They're about as good as the paper they're written on," Flames winger Darren McCarty said. "They almost did it last year. They were one game away from doing it. That goes a long way for a lot of guys in that (dressing) room."

On paper, Calgary has the edge in experienced defencemen with offensive skills. Edmonton is younger on the blue-line and there is no replacing Chris Pronger, who asked for, and got, a trade to Anaheim in the off-season.

Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff seemed to regain his Vezina Trophy form in his final pre-season game. If 36-year-old Dwayne Roloson plays as well for Edmonton as he did in the post-season before he was sidelined with a knee injury, the Oilers should be a playoff team.

Edmonton has good depth up front after acquiring free agent Petr Sykora and getting 28-goal man Joffrey Lupul in the Pronger trade.

Calgary has the potentially explosive pairing of wingers Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay, with Daymond Langkow winning the job to play between them.

"You don't want to disappoint your teammates or the coaches, so we want to go out there and be a force," Langkow said. "I always saw myself as a passer (rather) than a shooter. Obviously those guys are pretty gifted with the puck, so my job is to get in there and try and get it for them and get it to them.

"But at the same time if I get a chance to shoot . . . as a group we don't want to be passing up opportunities to shoot the puck."

The Oilers aren't a really big team, but they are fast and they make the most out of the Rexall Centre ice, which is the best in the NHL.

"Keep it simple early and obviously try and not turn the puck over in the neutral zone," said Langkow. "They've got a real fast-skating team, good transition team."

With expectations high in Calgary, the Flames need a better start than last season lest they incur the wrath of their faithful.

"Last year we got off to a 4-7 start," McCarty recalled. "That's something we want to learn from."

Notes: Calgary is going with six defenceman as Rhett Warrener (knee) is another week or two away from returning . . . Playfair said Wednesday that Kiprusoff will play fewer games this regular season, but had not set a number yet.

[Ginty]

Has anyone seen the offensive depth of the Oilers? Has anyone noticed how solid Roloson was once he figured out where he was?

The Flames added one decent forward. They will maybe finish 24th in scoring if they are lucky. Kipper will blow out his knee in November and the Flamers will finish 10th in the west.

Prongers wont be able to find any women that worship him down there and he will jsut be another tall lanky guy that none of the women will want to sleep with. He will have to go back to sleeping with his wife and she will pick up whatever diseases he got at Ezzies and will divorce him. He will cry a lot and will forget how to skate. The ducks finish 8th. Just so the Oilers can crush them again in the first round.

Who else can I rant about?

Do I even need to bring up the Leafs? i hope you guys enjoy watching the Leafs get spanked in HD on CBC while the rest of the Canadian teams get a fraction of that air time.

If any of my bold predictions dont come true I will eat my own face

[Coldrsx]

most people arent giving the OIL much chance....yet we might have one of the top 5 offences in the league. Sure we will win games 5-3 and 7-6....but thats why i by tickets, most exciting team in the nhl.

[The Chemist]

Man, Sykora and Hemsky are dangerous :eek:

A few bad breaks for the Flames tonight, and the powerplay was pathetic. A few things to work on for Saturday, I think.

Good win for the Oil. They'll definitely be ones to watch on offence, at least. We'll see you on Saturday night in our barn.

[Hardhatdan]

Yee haw my Calgary beatches, pretty fun game...looking forward to another gooder on Saturday night.

[Ginty]

my face is not yet eaten

[skrish]

Flames couldn't pull it together tonight on the PP. Good win for the Oil.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Toronto 6 Ottawa 0 heh!

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

my face is not yet eaten

Would you like soup or salad with your face today? ;)

[Calgarian]

Edmontons D was pretty good on the penalty kill, they did a good job keeping the Flames to the outside on the PK. Saw lots of potential for the PP of both teams, both moved the puck well. Lets see how it goes on Saturday.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

"Toronto sucks (as usual)"

"TO is in trouble"

"Toronto will be fighting to stay out of the 15th spot"

"I don't know why I'm talking about the Leafs though, a playoff spot for them would be truly shocking"

"After watching Ottawa play TO last night, I'm pretty convinced they're the real deal. They've finally got a goaltender in Gerber that could take them all the way."

"Toronto will strugle most of the year."

"Leafs - another disappointing effort"

"Do I even need to bring up the Leafs? i hope you guys enjoy watching the Leafs get spanked in HD on CBC"




I'm not about to claim the Leafs are contenders this year for the cup, however everybody is to quick to write them off. It's a new team and a new season and all I have to say is we'll see.



:shrug:

[Kevin_foster]

meh

There is no use predicting anything, as predictions in Hockey are always wrong.

So... my predictions are, all of your predictions will be wrong.

[Reesonov]

/\ Hey, that's a paradox!

[Kevin_foster]

^ I've created perpetual motion!

[bigcanuck]

I'm not about to claim the Leafs are contenders this year for the cup, however everybody is to quick to write them off. It's a new team and a new season and all I have to say is we'll see.

At least they freed up a roster spot when they turfed Domi

[cornholio]

"Toronto sucks (as usual)"

"TO is in trouble"

"Toronto will be fighting to stay out of the 15th spot"

"I don't know why I'm talking about the Leafs though, a playoff spot for them would be truly shocking"

"After watching Ottawa play TO last night, I'm pretty convinced they're the real deal. They've finally got a goaltender in Gerber that could take them all the way."

"Toronto will strugle most of the year."

"Leafs - another disappointing effort"

"Do I even need to bring up the Leafs? i hope you guys enjoy watching the Leafs get spanked in HD on CBC"




I'm not about to claim the Leafs are contenders this year for the cup, however everybody is to quick to write them off. It's a new team and a new season and all I have to say is we'll see.



:shrug:


I would write them of even if they had a all star team, i hate the leafs....well actualy its CBC that I hate for making me hate the leafs...but anyways this season will be a strugel for the Leafs anyways unless they pull something out of their ass, my feeling is that their gonna pull out more stinkers then miracles but I guess your right i could be wrong, hell they pulled a mother of all miracles out last night.:brickwall:

[bayrider]

quite frankly, I'm convinced cornholio doesn't know what he's talking about when he makes his assumptions.

[LordMandeep]

simple Leafs= big ratings
edmonton vs hurricanes ratings weren't that great last year....

[Kevin_foster]

^ And this guy states something and doesnt back it up :/

[SHOFEAR]

Edmonton and Calgary will battle for first in the division and 2nd in the conference. It shall be epic.

Vancouver will struggle to make the playoffs.

Toronto and Montreal will find themselves in the basement of their division, while Ottawa will walk away with it.

[Calgarian]

I think the Oilers will have their work cut out for them just to make the playoffs. That back end has a lot of holes in it, and Roloson has to prove himself.

[DrJoe]

Great game between Habs and Sabres tonight.

Leafs have to play the Sabres 8 times unfortunately, that is one hell of a hockey team.

[CC420]

Vancouver is 2-0 baby! All this after starting the season with back to back road games.

With their brutal road schedule (11 of 15 to start, including first 4 on the road) to start the season, coming out .500 or above should equal a playoff birth. Go Canucks Go!!!

As for a prediction. I say all Canadian teams will make the playoffs. Even the Leafs.

[cornholio]

quite frankly, I'm convinced cornholio doesn't know what he's talking about when he makes his assumptions.

What the fact that CBC makes sure the NHL schedules TOR for every saturday of the season so they can force the games on everyone else in the country. Do you think thats fair, is that suposed to be hockey night in Canada or Toronto night in Canada. And yes its like this every season, its the worst kept secret out there.

Here are some numbers for you about who will be playing saturday night, and im not sure of the east but everything west of Toronto is shows the Toronto games on saturday unless the local team is playing at the same time which is very very very rare. They dont show ottawa games, they dont show montreal games, etc.

There are 28 saturdays this season when hockey will be played.

Toronto = 28
Ottawa = 18
Calgary = 17
Montreal = 17
Edmonton = 15
Vancouver = 13

Its like this every year, and I cant stand it, I now hate the Leafs and CBC with a passion...and even though their team sucked last year and will suck this year they will still force the games on me, but I want to see what Ottawa can do and Montreal but no cant do that because I have to watch the Leafnoughings.

[Hootch]

I think the Oilers will have their work cut out for them just to make the playoffs. That back end has a lot of holes in it, and Roloson has to prove himself.

Keep telling yourself that.

5-2 Oil tonight hopefully. Once again Oil fans will outcheer the Sea of Red Inbreds. :P

[Boris2k7]

^ Starting your trash-talk already... sad.

4-0 Win for the Flames tonight. Time to pay you Greasers back.

[Hardhatdan]

^ Starting your trash-talk already... sad.

4-0 Win for the Flames tonight. Time to pay you Greasers back.
You dreamin' son.

[Calgarian]

The Flames are notoriously slow starters, always have been and probably always will be. But come the second week of April, the flames will be in the playoffs, and the Oil will be on the outside looking in. Mark my words. ;)

[Distill3d]

i've said it on other forums, and i've been right for the most part the last couple seasons. so let hope my luck keeps going.

Calgary Flames vs. Buffalo Sabres for the cup final.

after a slow start to the season, Calgary will end up top of the division, and #3 in the west.

Buffalo will finish 4th in the East, but make a cinderella run like Anahiem, Calgary, and Edmonton have the last few seasons.

Buffalo wins the cup in 7 games. (i'm a die hard Flames fan, don't get me wrong, but the next Canadian team to win the cup will be Montreal in 2009)


as for the other 5 in Canada?

Edmonton will show up big at first, then fizzle and die. big mid-season trade, but it won't capitalize until next season. failure to make the playoffs.

Vancouver will get the last playoff spot in the west, but lose to Nashville in the first round.

Toronto...can we say DEAD LAST in the league?

Ottawa finishes first in the east, no questions asked, beats out Sid the Kid and his helpers in the first round, but loses to Buffalo in the final 4.

Montreal gives a good run, finishes barely in the playoffs (sorta like the Capitals, Islanders and Pens) gets creamed by Buffalo in the first round.

so thats my predictions...

[Boris2k7]

That was an intense game! Quite some big drives by both teams, and the Flames were playing great when they needed to. Kipper of course proving again why he is the best damn goalie in the League.

Broken sticks galore!!! :eeekk:

[Hardhatdan]

I thought there were more goals...but it was just pieces of sticks flying at the net. Pretty good game, Oil dissapointed on that last power play.

[Hootch]

I didn't get to watch the game, but it sounded like a gooder! I called a 2-1 Flamers win in a gamethread at an Oilers board, and I would have been totally right if I called it in regulation and not in OT. ;)

The Battle of Alberta will truly mean something this year, because I believe one or the other will end up atop the NW. Questionable effort by the Oil, but they started to pour it on in the last 10 minutes, but it's going to take a 60-minute effort to beat Kiprusoff.

See ya on November 21st, hopefully I'll be able to score tiks for that game.

[skrish]

The flames were still not able to capitalize on the PP, but a win is a win. Kipper was brilliant as usual tonight.

[mexx_P]

The Oilers are the biggest whiners in the NHL. Roloson crying to the ref after every whistle. If not him, its Smyth, Torres, Staios...Unreal. Can't think of another team who complains half as much.

[DrJoe]

Toronto...can we say DEAD LAST in the league?

What is with all these whacky predictions involving the Leafs? They finished 2 points out the playoffs last year, arguable got better this season and now they are poised to finish last in the league?

[Rusty van Reddick]

I anticipate a great season for the Leafs. 6-0 vs Ott truly means that last season is last season.

[feepa]

The Oilers are the biggest whiners in the NHL. Roloson crying to the ref after every whistle. If not him, its Smyth, Torres, Staios...Unreal. Can't think of another team who complains half as much.

see the Calgary Flames.

[mexx_P]

:shrug:

You sure you have been watching the last couple games? Roloson was even doing it last year on the Oilers. The Goalie that cried wolf...He is an embarrassment.

[Hootch]

I like that Rolie makes Flamer fans foam at the mouth. He's not the sieve you thought he was going to be, eh? :haha:

[Riise]

see the Calgary Flames.

Kipper is run by Torres and says nothing...

The puck is in front of Rolson's pads and the Flames whack at it since the whistle didn't blow, Rolson stands up and tries to be the new Laraque. While Iggy releases a quick shot the whistle blows for offside, Rolson pretends to shoot the puck back at Iggy and while the players scuffle he scurries off to whine.

[habsfan]

wait...wait....can you feel it???? GO HABS GO

beat the Losers last night!!!!:cheers:

[Claeren]

haha.... i got banned from Calgarypuck.com today!!

SO stupid! Apparently you can go around saying Yelle SHOULD be Calgary's 4th line centre but you call that same guy an idiot and you are banned!!

Whatever. I would rather be banned then be on a board that supports stupidity.


Claeren.

[Calgarian]

Flames have a tough game vs San Jose tonight. Lets see if they can actually put numbers on the board, San Jose definately will be able to.

[Hootch]

double post, sorry

[Hootch]

haha.... i got banned from Calgarypuck.com today!!

SO stupid! Apparently you can go around saying Yelle SHOULD be Calgary's 4th line centre but you call that same guy an idiot and you are banned!!

Whatever. I would rather be banned then be on a board that supports stupidity.


Claeren.

After some of the garbage you spewed about MacTavish I'm not sure you're any better.

Good luck tonight johnnyc

[The Chemist]

GAAAAAAHHHH!!!!

It's like the Twilight Zone - we've seen this all before. No goals, again :hell:

[Calgarian]

Dammit! the flames are still having trouble burying that damn biscuit. :hell: At least Tanguay got his first.

[malek]

Ottawa will suck this year, mark my words.

[skrish]

Ottawa will suck this year, mark my words.

That's a pretty bold statement. Consider your words marked.

[Claeren]

After some of the garbage you spewed about MacTavish I'm not sure you're any better.

Good luck tonight johnnyc

Garbage? How so?

Doesn't it have to be untrue for it to be Garbage?

He got SMASHED, drove like 140kph, hit an innocent 26 year old women sending her car barrel rolling ~100M through the air into a nearby parking lot where it landed on its roof, where she DIED, then TRIED to plead innocent and only plead guilty because SO many people at the bar were willing to testify he was not just 'drunk', but REALLY REALLY drunk. He then spent a far-too-short 1yr in jail...

It is even mentioned in his wikipedia file!

Is Wikipedia just spouting off garbage?



If i called him a pedophile that would be garbage. If i talk about the fact i can't respect murdering drunk drivers of which he is one - that is just stating a fact.

Since when are facts garbage? It seems to me that it is garbage because you want to ignore it and continue to respect him and it gets in the way, not because it isn't true...

If the TRUTH hurts, it hurts. I am not the one who killed anyone....

Claeren.

[Ginty]

Garbage? How so?

Doesn't it have to be untrue for it to be Garbage?

He got SMASHED, drove like 140kph, hit an innocent 26 year old women sending her car barrel rolling ~100M through the air into a nearby parking lot where it landed on its roof, where she DIED, then TRIED to plead innocent and only plead guilty because SO many people at the bar were willing to testify he was not just 'drunk', but REALLY REALLY drunk. He then spent a far-too-short 1yr in jail...

It is even mentioned in his wikipedia file!

Is Wikipedia just spouting off garbage?



If i called him a pedophile that would be garbage. If i talk about the fact i can't respect murdering drunk drivers of which he is one - that is just stating a fact.

Since when are facts garbage? It seems to me that it is garbage because you want to ignore it and continue to respect him and it gets in the way, not because it isn't true...

If the TRUTH hurts, it hurts. I am not the one who killed anyone....

Claeren.

Yeah but is the fact that he went on a drunk driving bender really relevant to his coaching ability. Im not taking away from the fact that what he did wasnt good. But to use that as an argument against his coaching (which I assume you are doing, but am far too lazy to really look into) is just silly.

Lets get back to arguments relevant to hockey, like the Flamers power play

[habsfan]

Average Prices of Tickets across NHL.

With fans coming back, most teams hike ticket prices

NEW YORK -- Fans have come back to the NHL. And now they're going to be paying for it.

Led by the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, more than half the league's teams have raised ticket prices, including 10 of them by more than 5 percent.

The results were released Friday by Team Marketing Reports, which also found that a family of four will pay an average of $258 for a game this season.

Carolina tickets now average $38, an increase of 45 percent over last season, the first since the NHL returned from a lockout that cost the league the 2004-05 season.

Still, that makes a Hurricanes ticket a good value. The average price around the NHL rose nearly 4 percent to $43.

The Florida Panthers bumped up prices 29 percent after they were only one of six teams to raise prices last season. Stanley Cup runner-up Edmonton, Calgary, Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Montreal, Philadelphia and Ottawa also raised their prices by more than 5 percent.

The Phoenix Coyotes' average price of $25 is the league's lowest. Right behind them are the St. Louis Blues, who dropped prices by 29 percent under new ownership.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

2006 NHL Ticket prices
Team Tix Rnk Family 4 Rnk
Montreal $56.82 2 $332.27 1
Boston $56.44 3 $327.77 2
New Jersey $54.67 5 $327.66 3
Vancouver $58.96 1 $325.00 4
Philadelphia $55.66 4 $314.15 5
Minnesota $51.37 7 $293.98 6
NY Rangers $45.83 12 $284.83 7
Edmonton $51.76 6 $283.65 8
Calgary $47.35 9 $282.60 9
Los Angeles $45.98 10 $271.42 10
Florida $44.28 13 $271.12 11
Toronto $49.52 8 $271.07 12
Ottawa $45.95 11 $266.93 13
Atlanta $43.54 17 $266.64 14
Tampa Bay $44.27 14 $265.09 15
Detroit $43.13 18 $261.51 16
NY Isles $44.01 16 $255.77 17
Columbus $44.08 15 $243.31 18
Nashville $40.78 19 $242.63 19
Colorado $38.48 20 $235.91 20
Dallas $36.36 24 $232.41 21
Washington $38.15 21 $230.61 22
Chicago $34.88 25 $225.52 23
San Jose $33.00 26 $219.00 24
Carolina $37.91 22 $217.62 25
Pittsburgh $36.61 23 $216.96 26
Anaheim $30.32 27 $210.77 27
St. Louis $28.23 29 $197.39 28
Buffalo $30.07 28 $187.29 29
Phoenix $25.41 30 $181.62 30
Average $43.13 -- $258.08 --


I always assumed ticket prices in Toronto would be more expensive than in Montreal. I know that the most expensive tickets in Toronto are more expensive than in the Mecca, (300$ VS 200$) However it looks like the average tickets are more expensive here.

[habsfan]

sorry, double post!

[cornholio]

So Vancouver has the most expensive average ticket prices in the nhl...this sucks, but lucky for me theres still the Vancouver Giants as good/if not better hockey for dirt cheap...

[DrJoe]

I always assumed ticket prices in Toronto would be more expensive than in Montreal. I know that the most expensive tickets in Toronto are more expensive than in the Mecca, (300$ VS 200$) However it looks like the average tickets are more expensive here.

Toronto has ZERO availability, that is the problem.

[bayrider]

Toronto has ZERO availability, that is the problem.

And Montreal does? The 41 games are already sold out, much like last year. Thank goodness we have a much larger arena meaning that scalped tickets are easier to get a hold of. It's probably why we also have more hockey people at the games than we do suits. The crowd at the ACC on saturday against the Habs was as dull as watching a Pheonix vs Nashville game in Chicago.

[Calgarian]

I'm surprised Flames tix are so cheap. Every game is sold out this year, they could easily jack the prices and still sell out.

[Claeren]

Yeah but is the fact that he went on a drunk driving bender really relevant to his coaching ability. Im not taking away from the fact that what he did wasnt good. But to use that as an argument against his coaching (which I assume you are doing, but am far too lazy to really look into) is just silly.

Lets get back to arguments relevant to hockey, like the Flamers power play

But i did not mention it relation to his coaching ability.

Someone said he was just like Stephan Yelle back in his playing days - bringing lots of character to the team.

I took issue with that, saying that he may have been a similiar player but he is still a killer while Yelle is not (and implicitly, that character or not, many people would have a hard time following someone like that). Then all the oiler fans freaked out saying drunk driving, prison time, and murder have nothing to do with character - that instead you can forget about all that stuff because either (1) it happened a long time ago or (2) he has made up for it somehow.

I guess killing somone and being punished for it and having to live up to its realities may drive a different type of strong character. But i don't think it is fair to compair any non-murderer to a murderer when it comes to compairing character.

Of course it was just MY opinion, but i think it is relevant enough to the topic, no?

Would you want to be compared to a murderer?


Claeren.

[Hootch]

It's the fact that you use it to try to tarnish the Oilers that's garbage.

And yeah, I do respect him. Deal with it, asshole.

[Claeren]

Who said i had a problem with you respecting him?

You seem to have a problem with me NOT respecting him.

It seems to be you that is having the problem dealing with my opinion and not the other way around.


Further, having a murderer as the leader of any company in Canada would likely be a negative thing for many people/potential customers. I doubt a public company in Canada would even allow it to happen. People (obviously not many Oiler fans) respond badly to murderers and/or drunk driving (especially those like myself whose families have been impacted by murdering drunk drivers - Innisfail 2003). I am not trying to tarnish the Oilers, i am stating that in my opinion they have already been tarnished. Past tense not future tense.


Claeren.

[Hootch]

I don't give a damn if you respect him or not, but stop using it to trash the Oilers and their fans.

As for the Oilers already being tarnished; you WISH. You wish the Flamers were half of the organization the Oilers are. Your inferiority complex isn't an excuse to be a complete bonehead.

[skrish]

I'm surprised Flames tix are so cheap. Every game is sold out this year, they could easily jack the prices and still sell out.

I bet the Sportscheck zone really brings down the average price.

[Calgarian]

Wow this thread is getting harsh.

Claren, I see your point, but does Dany Heatly's "Incident" tarnish the Senators? I think a drunk driving charge would tarnish his record, but not necessarily the Oilers.

[CMD UW]

Further, having a murderer as the leader of any company in Canada would likely be a negative thing for many people/potential customers. I doubt a public company in Canada would even allow it to happen. People (obviously not many Oiler fans) respond badly to murderers and/or drunk driving (especially those like myself whose families have been impacted by murdering drunk drivers - Innisfail 2003). I am not trying to tarnish the Oilers, i am stating that in my opinion they have already been tarnished. Past tense not future tense.


Claeren.
Your trying to play up the fact that he made a terrible mistake and unfortunately took someone elses life. Well, he was imprisoned and paid his debt to society. Does that build character? I bet it does. I am willing to bet that incident helped carry him to where he is today.

It's easy to point your finger at the obvious, but he paid his dues as required under law.

[Claeren]

Wow this thread is getting harsh.

Claren, I see your point, but does Dany Heatly's "Incident" tarnish the Senators? I think a drunk driving charge would tarnish his record, but not necessarily the Oilers.

Dany Heatly also disgusts me.

He should be serving no less then 5 years for what happened (McTavish should have served life IMO). If your child or wife had been standing on that sidewalk they would have been cut in half by his car. The crime is the same regardless of whether he killed an innocent friend or an innocent bystander -yet he gets off with ~nothing? What a joke.

No wonder people drunk drive! All the apologists around here - there are no consequences at all. Basically everyone is supposed to just forget it ever happened? Wow! I wonder if her parents have forgotten that it happened? Her unborn children? The paramedics that cleaned up her body?

Apparently because he is a hockey coach it is okay though!

I guarentee your entire opinion of McTavish changes if you lose a loved one to drunk driving (or other severe negligence). It is sad that it takes that much before you 'get it' though. It was not an accident. It was not just a mistake. It was a conscious act to drink that much, which lead to him getting in his car and killing someone. Would you do it? No... ? Why not? Oh yeah, because you have a functioning brain and heart and know that the consequences are potentially too much? I have known how dangerous it was since i was like 12 years old, yet a twenty-something McTavish should be forgiven outright and the incident dropped? :rolleyes:

I know people who drunk drive and i know people who do not. And the ones that do deserve EVERYTHING bad that potentially comes there way and then some. I know they know how bad it is, even when plastered, and i know that McTavish knew. He just ignored that voice of reason and someone died because of it.


And i am not trying to extend this to the entire Oilers organization in some absolute way. He posted that i was activily trying to tarnish the Oilers - but i am not. I am just stating a FACT about them. If YOU think that FACT tarnishes them, then deep down you think having a murderer as a head coach tarnishes an organization (or company) and therefore they were already tarnishED before it even came up and if you don't see how it tarnishes them, then you merely disagree with me and don't see the big deal and therefore they were never tarnishED. I am not trying to ADD to anything here - the oilers did not just hire the guy recently.


In terms of Flames v, Oilers i don't see how it is relevant - it seems you are suggesting i am a hypocrite, but with zero evidence. I know of no murderers with the Flames organization, and certainly not in a leadership position. If there were i would no longer be a fan. When Marchment came to the team i was not pleased at all, and that is just a dirty player on the ICE! Fleury always disgusted me as well, although there was pity for him as well as disgust, and i definitely became a much bigger fan AFTER he stopped being the face of the franchise. In fact the year after he left i became a season ticket holder.


I am not expecting you to uphold any standards of my morality. But i don't see what the big deal is about being disgusted by people who have killed other people like McTavish has?



Claeren.

[Claeren]

Your trying to play up the fact that he made a terrible mistake and unfortunately took someone elses life. Well, he was imprisoned and paid his debt to society. Does that build character? I bet it does. I am willing to bet that incident helped carry him to where he is today.

It's easy to point your finger at the obvious, but he paid his dues as required under law.

He changed his plea from innocent to guilty so that he would only serve 1yr in prison.

1 yr is just not enough - sorry.

While you may feel the justice system in N.America is enough to guide your personal moral compass, i do not.

He should have served 25 years. Which means he would have just gotten out of prison (although i realize this would never happen, ~10 years is more likely). Which means he would never have made millions of dollars or lived in a big home or basically been able to live like it never even happened. THAT is why i have a hard time respecting anything he does with the Oilers. Because he should have been sitting in a cell thinking about what he did and discouraging others from doing the same instead of playing a little game with a stick and puck.

If he got out of prison in say... 1996 and THEN got to where he is then i would probably be able to leave it alone and even respect the guy for having served his time.

I would love to see a drunk driver kill your mother/brother/child/wife and then you be happy with a 1yr punishment!?

Yeah right....


If i (or say my father or brother or whomever) ever do what McTavish did PLEASE, lock me up for life. I should have known better - just like McTavish.

Claeren.

[Ginty]

Hey sweetits. Lets get back to talking about the Flames power play please. These posts are too long to read and kind of boring

[Hardhatdan]

Oilers YAY, everyone else BOO!

Back on topic you tarts.

[feepa]

The Flames powerplay is murderously bad, Lets talk about that.

[Kevin_foster]

^ why is your avatar a picture of HIM? ;p

[Ginty]

The power play is 1-for-25, the record is 1-2, and quietly inside that dressing room, you just know that Iginla and the rest of the players are wondering when management is going to catch up with where the NHL game is going.

[Calgarian]

They may be 1for 25, but that is not for a lack of chances. The flames have had TONS of really good scoring chances on the PP, but the pass either bounces over their stick, or they miss the net. it is just a matter of being more familiar with eachother. Calgary's powerplay will be in the top 10 by midseason, and in the top 5 by years end.

[habsfan]

They may be 1for 25, but that is not for a lack of chances. The flames have had TONS of really good scoring chances on the PP, but the pass either bounces over their stick, or they miss the net. it is just a matter of being more familiar with eachother. Calgary's powerplay will be in the top 10 by midseason, and in the top 5 by years end.

Considering they were 13th last year, saying they'll finish 5th this year is a little optimistic! Don't you think?

Even with the addition of Tanguay, i doubt they'll jump 8 spots from last year!

[Hootch]

In terms of Flames v, Oilers i don't see how it is relevant - it seems you are suggesting i am a hypocrite, but with zero evidence. I know of no murderers with the Flames organization, and certainly not in a leadership position. If there were i would no longer be a fan.

I'm guessing you're ignorant of the fact that the Flames had a pedophile on their scouting staff in the '90s? I remember reading that article years ago, and no way would I ever insinuate that that was a blemish on the Flames organization, because I'm not an idiot.

But the fact remains that you make a big deal about Mactavish because he's with the Oilers organization, a team yours has always lived in the shadow of. I'm sure if Mactavish coached the Bruins or something, you wouldn't care less. That's what makes you a hypocrite. You didn't even mention Heatley until someone else bought it up.

Maybe this forum should take a page out of Calgarypucks book. No one should be subject to your ignorant and hateful blather.

[Hootch]

They may be 1for 25, but that is not for a lack of chances. The flames have had TONS of really good scoring chances on the PP, but the pass either bounces over their stick, or they miss the net. it is just a matter of being more familiar with eachother. Calgary's powerplay will be in the top 10 by midseason, and in the top 5 by years end.

Buddy, I think other teams are going to figure out that 90% of the time the Flames will pass, pass, pass, pass to Phanuef, Phanuef shoots, shot goes wide or gets blocked. That's what their strategy looked like to me, but we're only two games in.

[SD]

Despite most people's dire predictions, the Leafs have looked pretty good so far this season, and dare I say, dominant. While the scores haven't been high (with the exception of the Ottawa game) they're averaging over 40 shots a game and Raycroft has been stellar.

I'm not saying the Leafs are going to do great this year, or that Raycroft will necessarily be able to keep it up (while his start is great, I'm not going to declare him back in form yet), but so far they've looked quite good.

I'd also say Calgary and Edmonton fans are a tad overconfident.

[habsfan]

:previous:

I have to admit that I am somewhat surprised by the Leafs...they don'T suck as much as i expected them to. Raycroft has done well also.

But then again, let's not get carried away here...the Habs have only played three games(all on the road) and have manged to pick up 5 out of 6 points.

[Hardhatdan]

Oh yes, a beautiful comeback from the Oil. Smyth brought of the iron for the 2nd intermission, got that mullet all primped and ready and scored 3 goals in 2:01. Making Mikonov look like a sieve...

Lots of cheering at the High Run!

[Ginty]

an email from a friend of mine this morning:

I go grab pint after work, dude in bar tells me it's 4-1 Sharks.
I get angry cuz Oilers are down (last I had heard it was 2-1) and because stupid pub isn't playing game.
Slam pint and go home.
Turn on highlites after taking monster dump.
Show's Oilers making it 4-2. I think, yeah, they got another goal... big fucking deal.
Then shows them getting another.... and a fuckin nother.
I get pumped.
Then they break to show the game stats at that point and instead of 4-4 it reads 5-4.
The Oilers apparently just scored again.

6-4 Final. Oilers over Sharks.

Now you tell me, what game would you rather watch? Huh?
And now tell me what fucking pub you watched the Oiler game at slunt.
Don't disappoint and tell me you never went to a pub you fucking ass licker.

[Coldrsx]

one of the best games ive seen in a long time.

[feepa]

5 Goals in 4 Games for the flames.
Projecting this over 82 games schedule... 102.5 Goals.

Talk about BORING ASS HOCKEY. Of course, Flames fans wouldnt know what real hockey was all about, they've never had a real team before.

Edit: In case anyone wanted to know
Oilers have 10 goals in 3 games, projected over 82 games is 273 Goals.

[The Chemist]

5 Goals in 4 Games for the flames.
Projecting this over 82 games schedule... 102.5 Goals.

Talk about BORING ASS HOCKEY. Of course, Flames fans wouldnt know what real hockey was all about, they've never had a real team before.

Edit: In case anyone wanted to know
Oilers have 10 goals in 3 games, projected over 82 games is 273 Goals.


We won the Stanley Cup in 1989 without a real team?
We went to the Stanley Cup finals in 2004 without a real team?
Give it up. :rolleyes: People love to call the Flames a 'clutch and grab' team, but the fact is, they get no more penalties for obstruction than any other team.

And obviously you didn't watch the Flames game last night, because if you did you wouldn't have been calling it boring. It had it all - great chances, great hits (Phaneuf's hit on Denis Hamel is one of the hits of the season) and great saves (including Kipper robbing Alfreddson). You don't need huge numbers of goals to have an entertaining game.

[feepa]

We won the Stanley Cup in 1989 without a real team?
We went to the Stanley Cup finals in 2004 without a real team?
Give it up. :rolleyes: People love to call the Flames a 'clutch and grab' team, but the fact is, they get no more penalties for obstruction than any other team.

And obviously you didn't watch the Flames game last night, because if you did you wouldn't have been calling it boring. It had it all - great chances, great hits (Phaneuf's hit on Denis Hamel is one of the hits of the season) and great saves (including Kipper robbing Alfreddson). You don't need huge numbers of goals to have an entertaining game.

I did happen to catch the 3rd of the game, what snooze-fest, as all 1-0 games are. Thank god an oilers game came on afterwards to get the blood going again, and stir an little excitement, which you probably didnt watch, as you' would've agreed, the Oilers style of Hockey is alot more exciting to watch.
As I will partial agree, you dont need huge number of goals to be an exciting game, I usually prefer more then 1 goal in a game...
I'm certainly glad that I didnt watch the whole game. Only needed to watch the last half of the 3rd period to see ANY action in the whole game.
1 cheezy goal and 1 decent hit makes an entertaining game to the average Flames fan...
Check the hit
http://users.eastlink.ca/%7Ehfxdrunk/Dion.gif
http://www.nhl.com/frozen/index.html
Flames Hockey could put any fire out, due to lack of action and scoring.

[The Chemist]

Far as I'm concerned, a win is a win. I thought the game last night was pretty damned good, even with only one goal. The goals will come - the opportunities are there, they just aren't finishing them yet. But with Kipper on his game already, we have time to get the offence working.

I guess the Senators are a boring team too, because they're not exactly lighting it up this season either.

And no, I didn't watch the Greaser game. I make a point of not wasting my money to watch teams I hate. :shrug: I might have glanced at it if it were on Sportsnet, but I would have been cheering for the Sharkies (stupid sharkies, giving up a 3 goal lead).

[SHOFEAR]

The goals will come

You guys are starting to sound as desperate and hopeless as Sask Rider fans.
This year we will get our home playoff game=This year we will average more than three goals a game.

Neither are happening

[The Chemist]

You guys are starting to sound as desperate and hopeless as Sask Rider fans.
This year we will get our home playoff game=This year we will average more than three goals a game.

Neither are happening


I'm not desperate, nor hopeless. You'll note that despite the fact that the greasers have scored a lot more goals than the Flames, we have exactly the same number of points. Goals are overrated sometimes, I think - wins are what really count.

Oh, and about those Riders - you won't be making fun of their fans when the Shmoes playoff streak ends at 34 years, thanks to those Riders.

[SHOFEAR]

I'm not desperate, nor hopeless. You'll note that despite the fact that the greasers have scored a lot more goals than the Flames, we have exactly the same number of points. Goals are overrated sometimes, I think - wins are what really count.

Oh, and about those Riders - you won't be making fun of their fans when the Shmoes playoff streak ends at 34 years, thanks to those Riders.


I'll take one bad year every 35. So would every sport franchise on the face of the planet.

I say defence is overated, wins are what counts. :tup:

[feepa]

I'm not desperate, nor hopeless. You'll note that despite the fact that the greasers have scored a lot more goals than the Flames, we have exactly the same number of points.

The Oilers have also played one less game so far, not that it matters.

I can't wait to see where this thread goes by the end of the season.

Someone (maybe me) will be eating a lot of their own....

[Hardhatdan]

Ginty might have to eat his own face.

EPIC THREAD.

[jeffwhit]

http://users.eastlink.ca/%7Ehfxdrunk/Dion.gif

yeah, that hit was only decent, barely adequate actually.

[habsfan]

that was an incredible hit...worthy of being compared to many SCott Stevens body checks!

[SD]

Another win for the Leafs, another game of 40+ shots and another OT winner from Sundin to give him the hat trick (and 500 regular season goals for his career). Very exciting game.

At least Calgary was able to get their pop-gun offence going for one game (and get a point out of it).

[LordMandeep]

that was a cool game. Sundin saves the leafs again, great player!!