[Tom Servo]

Carey Price is on pace for 50 wins.:rolleyes:

And I would like to know what kind of drug did Roman Hamrlik take...:haha: He's currently playing his best hockey as a Hab.

hah, rember that halak guy? :haha:

[MrOilers]

They habitually boo the other team's best player? Even when they haven't actually done anything wrong?


I was wondering why the hell they were booing Taylor Hall the other night. :koko:

[Nicko999]

hah, rember that halak guy? :haha:

I wish him good luck! However, Halak means this now::P

http://media.legrandclub.rds.ca/images/userpics/posts/486/798/97186_large.png
http://media.legrandclub.rds.ca/images/userpics/posts/486/798/97186_large.png

He is closing the gap on Subban for the "best rookie on the team" title.:tup:

BTW-I try to watch Blues' games when I can... they are my second favorite team now. Halak deserves to be #1.

[The_Architect]

Who's that? ^

[Darkoshvilli]

Who's that? ^

Lars Eller. Pretty good rookie.

[Darkoshvilli]

I was wondering why the hell they were booing Taylor Hall the other night. :koko:

You guys are right, they should quietly sit on their butts the whole game and only respectfully clap when a goal is scored. No booing though, we wouldn't wanna hurt anyone's feelings now.

[freeweed]

I didn't say the whole arena boos, maybe a few thousand do it. Its done to hopefully get under the players skin to mess with his game. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Its called home ice advantage, looks like you're not very familiar with it. This is the fucking NHL, not pee-wee. There is nothing classless about booing the opposition. They sometimes boo their own players, thats classless. Booing the american anthem? Sure. Booing the other team classless? Give me a break.

I'm very familiar with home ice advantage, looks like you may not be familiar with the 29 other rinks in this league. Or other pro leagues. Or Olympic level, or any other national-level play. Home ice advantage typically consists of fans cheering the hell out of their own team. Booing bad officiating. Booing particularly nasty (even if legal) hits. Booing your own team if they play particularly shitty (like the Flames several times this season).

Booing the opponent just because they're the opponent? That's petty at best, and very classless when it goes on and on just because a guy's a good player. You don't have to have this mad on rabid hatred towards the other team for every single thing they do. This isn't ethnic warfare, it's a silly game. It's actually possible to respect both sides on the ice while still cheering for your team.

But hey, if you want to turn hockey into a football game, you'd probably fit in in Nashville. That's the only other place I've witnessed this unprompted booing, but that's mostly because they had no idea how to actually follow what was happening in the game so it was just "boo the opponent". And even at that it was nowhere near as obnoxious as what I heard tonight.

Again, this dude was a fan favourite from what I recall. This wasn't a Pronger situation where he demanded to be traded. Sorry, but if our former stars come to our building - hell, we'll give them a cheer if they do something spectacular on the ice. I've seen standing O's for amazing goals (and hat tricks) - BY THE OPPONENT. But that requires understanding the game instead of resorting to mindless tribalism.

[Darkoshvilli]

Like I said, I don't get the booing of Kovalev either, although the fact that he had an offer from the habs and hesitated which resulted us getting Gionta (I'd like to thank Kovy for not taking the offer btw) might have something to do with it, but I don't know.

I'm very familiar with home ice advantage, looks like you may not be familiar with the 29 other rinks in this league. Or other pro leagues. Or Olympic level, or any other national-level play. Home ice advantage typically consists of fans cheering the hell out of their own team. Booing bad officiating. Booing particularly nasty (even if legal) hits. Booing your own team if they play particularly shitty (like the Flames several times this season).

Watch any habs games? We do all that and more. I remember the 5 goal comeback win against the Rangers two years ago, fans were chanting "go habs go" when the team was down 5-0, but I guess you didn't see that. You only saw a few thousand drunks boo Kovalev and decided to rip the whole fanbase because of that. Yeah, we're turning into football fans and we're barbarians. Whatever. Im done with this non-issue.

[habfanman]

Gotta laugh at all the controversy over Hab fans! Gee, I guess all of our shenanigans work eh, seeing as we get under everybodys skin.

Everyone else labels everything that their boring fans don't do as "classless". Well, you can stick to your generic "GO ______ GO" or "Let's go ______ let's go": if you can even muster up enough to get that going. We'll continue to come up with our own stuff.

Ask the players, ask the coaches, ask the media and they'll all say the same thing: nothing beats a game in Montréal!

So.. suck it!

And a big olé olé olé olé and nah nah nah nah to ya!

[habfanman]

I'm very familiar with home ice advantage, looks like you may not be familiar with the 29 other rinks in this league. Or other pro leagues. Or Olympic level, or any other national-level play. Home ice advantage typically consists of fans cheering the hell out of their own team. Booing bad officiating. Booing particularly nasty (even if legal) hits. Booing your own team if they play particularly shitty (like the Flames several times this season).

Booing the opponent just because they're the opponent? That's petty at best, and very classless when it goes on and on just because a guy's a good player. You don't have to have this mad on rabid hatred towards the other team for every single thing they do. This isn't ethnic warfare, it's a silly game. It's actually possible to respect both sides on the ice while still cheering for your team.

But hey, if you want to turn hockey into a football game, you'd probably fit in in Nashville. That's the only other place I've witnessed this unprompted booing, but that's mostly because they had no idea how to actually follow what was happening in the game so it was just "boo the opponent". And even at that it was nowhere near as obnoxious as what I heard tonight.

Again, this dude was a fan favourite from what I recall. This wasn't a Pronger situation where he demanded to be traded. Sorry, but if our former stars come to our building - hell, we'll give them a cheer if they do something spectacular on the ice. I've seen standing O's for amazing goals (and hat tricks) - BY THE OPPONENT. But that requires understanding the game instead of resorting to mindless tribalism.

Oh my! You should write a book: 'The Ethical Guide to Approved Methods of Somewhat Spontaneous Cheering in Quasi Dynamic Cities'

Don't bother translating it into french..

BTW, would the mass wearing of same-coloured jerseys qualify as "mindless tribalism"?

[freeweed]

Watch any habs games? We do all that and more. I remember the 5 goal comeback win against the Rangers two years ago, fans were chanting "go habs go" when the team was down 5-0, but I guess you didn't see that. You only saw a few thousand drunks boo Kovalev and decided to rip the whole fanbase because of that. Yeah, we're turning into football fans and we're barbarians. Whatever. Im done with this non-issue.

You guys are really cute and take a single comment way too far (plus, cannot read too well). I didn't say one thing about lack of cheering, or wearing jerseys, or the entire fanbase, or anything like that. Fact is, booing a player simply because he's good is infantile and classless. I never once said a single thing about anything else. Hell, I didn't even mention soccer chants and yet somehow that got brought in yet again.

But boy howdy, apparently Habs fans here are even more defensive than Leafs fans. :haha: I don't see the need, at least you guys have a decent team (this year).

[freeweed]

Gee, I guess all of our shenanigans work eh, seeing as we get under everybodys skin.

Really? They work? People got together and decided to boo for no reason because you wanted the rest of the hockey community to laugh at you? :haha:

Well, you're right - mission accomplished!

[SHOFEAR]

I'm very familiar with home ice advantage, looks like you may not be familiar with the 29 other rinks in this league. Or other pro leagues. Or Olympic level, or any other national-level play. Home ice advantage typically consists of fans cheering the hell out of their own team. Booing bad officiating. Booing particularly nasty (even if legal) hits. Booing your own team if they play particularly shitty (like the Flames several times this season).

Booing the opponent just because they're the opponent? That's petty at best, and very classless when it goes on and on just because a guy's a good player. You don't have to have this mad on rabid hatred towards the other team for every single thing they do. This isn't ethnic warfare, it's a silly game. It's actually possible to respect both sides on the ice while still cheering for your team.

But hey, if you want to turn hockey into a football game, you'd probably fit in in Nashville. That's the only other place I've witnessed this unprompted booing, but that's mostly because they had no idea how to actually follow what was happening in the game so it was just "boo the opponent". And even at that it was nowhere near as obnoxious as what I heard tonight.

Again, this dude was a fan favourite from what I recall. This wasn't a Pronger situation where he demanded to be traded. Sorry, but if our former stars come to our building - hell, we'll give them a cheer if they do something spectacular on the ice. I've seen standing O's for amazing goals (and hat tricks) - BY THE OPPONENT. But that requires understanding the game instead of resorting to mindless tribalism.

If there booing they can't sing that eurotrash soccer thing they do...I take that as a good thing.

[Coldrsx]

OLE OLE OLE OLE, OLE OHHHLEEEEEER!

gay

[The_Architect]

Haha I remember a few years ago the Habs and Leafs were playing the last game to see who knocked the other out of the playoffs (was it 2005-2006?), though it didn't matter anyways cause the Devils lost in a shootout so the Leafs were eliminated anyways.. But the Leafs won by a few goals, and the entire ACC (or if it was at the Bell Centre, all the Toronto fans there) were chanting the stupid "Na na na na hey hey hey goodbye" cheer that Habs fans do! It was pretty awesome and a good F*CK YOU to the Habs..
Ah the memories, that was my best memory of missing the playoffs :)

[freeweed]

The "na na na" chant is done in many NHL cities (I've heard it in every Canadian rink I've been to, admittedly that's only a few). It's also done in plenty of other sports on this side of the pond. If you guys don't do it in Toronto, you may be the odd duck on this one.

I remember people doing it in the 80s in Winnipeg, so it's not some recent thing like the soccer-wannabes either.

[SHOFEAR]

The "na na na" chant is done in many NHL cities (I've heard it in every Canadian rink I've been to, admittedly that's only a few). It's also done in plenty of other sports on this side of the pond. If you guys don't do it in Toronto, you may be the odd duck on this one.

I remember people doing it in the 80s in Winnipeg, so it's not some recent thing like the soccer-wannabes either.

that ones cool. its that greasy ole ole thing that makes me cringe.


I remember at a Golden Bears hockey game a few years ago when we were hosting the championship some team from quebec got lit up by the Golden bears. na na..hey hey good bye was changed to ...hey hey au revoir. classic.

[Ayreonaut]

I guess I may be "Eurotrash", but I like the Montreal chants. Infinitely better than the generic "go ______ go!" that's done in 30 NHL cities.

[Coldrsx]

^yup... better than 'ole ole ole ole' which is heard on 450 pitches around the world for a completely different sport.

[The_Architect]

The "na na na" chant is done in many NHL cities (I've heard it in every Canadian rink I've been to, admittedly that's only a few). It's also done in plenty of other sports on this side of the pond. If you guys don't do it in Toronto, you may be the odd duck on this one.

I remember people doing it in the 80s in Winnipeg, so it's not some recent thing like the soccer-wannabes either.

I guess we are the odd ones out then, because I've only ever heard it when we were mocking the Habs..
But yes it is better than the Ole Ole chant, any of those stupid soccer chants should gtfo of hockey arenas :P

[freeweed]

Don Cherry meets Rob Ford. (http://www.thestar.com/news/torontocouncil/article/902903--don-cherry-rips-left-wing-pinkos-at-council-inaugural)

I'm not sure who comes off worse in this matchup.

[Yume-sama]

lol Don's making the best of what could be his last year at HNIC.

[habfanman]

I guess we are the odd ones out then, because I've only ever heard it when we were mocking the Habs..
But yes it is better than the Ole Ole chant, any of those stupid soccer chants should gtfo of hockey arenas :P

Well you know what they say: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".

When we mock leaf fans we sit still and remain silent, play around on our Blackberries and leave halfway through the 3rd period.

[SpikePhanta]

I guess I may be "Eurotrash", but I like the Montreal chants. Infinitely better than the generic "go ______ go!" that's done in 30 NHL cities.

At lease sometimes at Canucks game and Carolina games they make the fans do the rick flair "woooo"

But Go ____ Go gets tiring, the ole ole ole and Nanana makes it more interesting.

But hey its coming from a vancouver fan, that has an arena full of suits and quite people

[Yume-sama]

At lease sometimes at Canucks game and Carolina games they make the fans do the rick flair "woooo"

But Go ____ Go gets tiring, the ole ole ole and Nanana makes it more interesting.

But hey its coming from a vancouver fan, that has an arena full of suits and quite people

I wonder if the Canucks' arena is the only one with multiple "no alcohol" sections. What you mean "no fun city" :P?

[Flamesrule]

Haha I remember a few years ago the Habs and Leafs were playing the last game to see who knocked the other out of the playoffs (was it 2005-2006?), though it didn't matter anyways cause the Devils lost in a shootout so the Leafs were eliminated anyways.. But the Leafs won by a few goals, and the entire ACC (or if it was at the Bell Centre, all the Toronto fans there) were chanting the stupid "Na na na na hey hey hey goodbye" cheer that Habs fans do! It was pretty awesome and a good F*CK YOU to the Habs..
Ah the memories, that was my best memory of missing the playoffs :)


ahh yes I remember that! Though I think it was 2006-07 season.


Anyways flames win! they played a good game. Kipper robbed St-Louis, and stopped Stamkos on his favourite place in the rink.

[Yume-sama]

Yeah, Kipper made up for a total fail on the first Tampa goal. Though the Bolts didn't score on the PP the Flames' strategy of not covering Stamkos at all had me a little bit worried. But, in the end, they succeeded in taking away the pass to him... which is like Tampa's only play. The Lightning D sure looked awful, and Ellis is quite average. Their D made us look quite elite.

It looked like we were playing ourselves, with how many odd-man rushes we got. :P Only difference is they don't have Kipper.

[freeweed]

The Lightning D sure looked awful, and Ellis is quite average. Their D made us look quite elite.

This. A million times this.

Sadly, D exists in the rest of the league, so we're still in line for a top pick. What's telling is that as bad as Tampa was last night, we could only muster 4 goals (on what, 17 shots? I can't remember). A good offensive team would have had 35+ shots and 8 goals, the way they played.

[Yume-sama]

This. A million times this.

Sadly, D exists in the rest of the league, so we're still in line for a top pick. What's telling is that as bad as Tampa was last night, we could only muster 4 goals (on what, 17 shots? I can't remember). A good offensive team would have had 35+ shots and 8 goals, the way they played.

Like... Boston did exactly to Tampa last week :D?

[lubicon]

Ridiculous shootout in the Oilers-Ducks game - went to the 10th round. Each team scored once with their first 3 shooters. Then 6 straight saves by each goalie before Cam Fowler scores as the 10th shooter for the Ducks. Khabibulin and Hiller were sensational and it was a riot to watch each team send progressively worse shooters as the shootout went on. Some of them didn't have a clue as to what kind of move to make (assuming they even had a move).

[habfanman]

I guess we are the odd ones out then, because I've only ever heard it when we were mocking the Habs..
But yes it is better than the Ole Ole chant, any of those stupid soccer chants should gtfo of hockey arenas :P

LOL! Getting cheering advice from Toronto is like getting snow removal advice from Saudi Arabia. The idea that any chant is 'sport specific' is ludicrous. Whatever increases the fun is OK by me, a concept which is clearly lost on inhabitants of dull, grey, soulless Toronto.

Besides, the olé chant has its origins in bullfighting and flamenco and was never even a soccer chant until 1982, when Spanish fans used it at the World Cup (Oé). From there, it was appropriated by fans of the Argentinian Diego Maradonna in Barcelona and Napoli. It didn't come into widespread use in soccer until after the Irish National team began using it in the late 80's, early 90's. Can't say for sure but even then there were probably pucker-asses from Toronto complaining about "those stupid bullfighting chants at soccer stadiums".

Not sure when exactly it started at Habs games- sometime post lockout I think, but it isn't hockey specific here. Anywhere you get large groups of happy Montrealers (concerts, festivals, sporting events etc.) you'll hear it. It's our way of saying "We love you, we're having a blast, let's keep going, woo hoo, etc." Not our fault the city has a pulse!

Some examples of 'inappropriate' oléing:

Paramore @ Club Soda
crYhvGZG0pg

Hoping for a Jim Suhler encore @ Jazz Festival
AIBV4E1UUT4

Tiesto New Years 2009 @ Bell Centre
09xr4G2XbCo

Waiting for Stevie Wonder @ Jazz Festival
H14NXzwv81s

In the metro, after the Manu Chao concert @ Parc Jean Drapeau
ooYlNfkqGEw

@ Alouettes drubbing of the Argos
Pj5Yz48TiGM

Impact fan variation
6NZdwVdddbo

So there you go. Everything you never wanted to know about olé olé olé

GO_________GO!!

[habfanman]

The "na na na" chant is done in many NHL cities (I've heard it in every Canadian rink I've been to, admittedly that's only a few). It's also done in plenty of other sports on this side of the pond. If you guys don't do it in Toronto, you may be the odd duck on this one.

I remember people doing it in the 80s in Winnipeg, so it's not some recent thing like the soccer-wannabes either.

See, that started in Montréal, was bitched about, was used to mock the Habs when they lost and is now a popular chant.

You'll be oléing before you know it and then we'll have to come up with something new!

GO ______ GO!!

[The_Architect]

Okay so I guess the Ole Ole thing is now just an obnoxious Montrealer thing to do.. and FYI if you've ever actually been to a Leaf game (which I'm guessing you haven't by your ridiculous ignorance) you'd know that every generalization and stereotype you tried to use to describe Toronto fans is ridiculously false.. The platinum section is mostly suits because those are the only ones that can afford it, but from the golds and back it is as lively as almost any other Canadian team, the exception being the Habs because they have the more obnoxious fans of the Canadian teams.. What other fans are stupid enough to burn their own city down after a playoff win?
Seriously how about you come to Toronto and experience it before you make idiotic comments like that insulting a city and it's people.

[habfanman]

buggered post

[freeweed]

See, that started in Montréal, was bitched about, was used to mock the Habs when they lost and is now a popular chant.

Wikipedia (among other sources) disagrees. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Na_Na_Hey_Hey_Kiss_Him_Goodbye)

Thanks to Nancy Faust, organist for the Chicago White Sox, the song had a revival as a stadium taunt to visiting teams. The song was played at Hartford Whalers home games if the team won.

Not everything started in Montreal. ;)

[Darkoshvilli]

Habs at Detroit tomorrow, can't wait. Last time we played in Detroit we won 3-1, I think it was the season before last.

[habfanman]

Wikipedia (among other sources) disagrees. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Na_Na_Hey_Hey_Kiss_Him_Goodbye)



Not everything started in Montreal. ;)

I wasn't aware the Chicago White Sox were an NHL team. Yet another hockey-inappropriate chant! Must point out though that the article doesn't mention whether Nancy introduced it to baseball via hockey or the other way around. Perhaps the other sources will clarify that.

[habfanman]

Habs at Detroit tomorrow, can't wait. Last time we played in Detroit we won 3-1, I think it was the season before last.

This is a big weekend. Detroit on Friday and leafs on Saturday.
Schedule is cleared.

[habfanman]

Okay so I guess the Ole Ole thing is now just an obnoxious Montrealer thing to do.. and FYI if you've ever actually been to a Leaf game (which I'm guessing you haven't by your ridiculous ignorance) you'd know that every generalization and stereotype you tried to use to describe Toronto fans is ridiculously false.. The platinum section is mostly suits because those are the only ones that can afford it, but from the golds and back it is as lively as almost any other Canadian team, the exception being the Habs because they have the more obnoxious fans of the Canadian teams.. What other fans are stupid enough to burn their own city down after a playoff win?
Seriously how about you come to Toronto and experience it before you make idiotic comments like that insulting a city and it's people.

How about I grew up in Ontario and lived in Toronto for 8 long years? I've attended over 100 leaf games at MLG and 20 or so at ACC.

Enough has been written about the tomb-like atmosphere at ACC, Rogers Centre and dull Toronto crowds at concerts and shows that I hardly have to cite any personal experiences. To see the difference, flip back and forth between a leaf game and a Hab game or go to the same show in both cities.

The jerks that 'burn down the city' (or loot 2 or 3 stores as was the actual case last year) are idiots who take advantage of the fact that there are 50-100 thousand people singing, dancing and drinking on Ste-Cath. Kind of like a happy G-20, if you can remember as far back as June, only in that case, a handful of people did far more damage than 10's of thousands of Hab fans did. Maybe if the Montréal police had acted more like the facist Metro police goons, fewer pairs of Nikes and bottles of wine would have been stolen!

[Flamesrule]

Habs at Detroit tomorrow, can't wait. Last time we played in Detroit we won 3-1, I think it was the season before last.

You better hope that they won't fail like the Flames did when they last played the red wings. They shouldn't fail.

[Darkoshvilli]

You better hope that they won't fail like the Flames did when they last played the red wings. They shouldn't fail.

Well we're not the Flames, so half the battle is already won. :haha:

[Nicko999]

You better hope that they won't fail like the Flames did when they last played the red wings. They shouldn't fail.

Why would we fail? The only time I've seen the Habs fail this season is against mediocre teams(because it's games we should easily win).

I'm quite confident it would be a good game.

Don't forget, after 28 games(more than 1/3 of the season done), we still have not allowed more than 3 goals in regulation.

[Tom Servo]

everyone on High Plains Drifters' team is clickin... i don't think this is my week. :(

[ToxiK]

Haha I remember a few years ago the Habs and Leafs were playing the last game to see who knocked the other out of the playoffs (was it 2005-2006?), though it didn't matter anyways cause the Devils lost in a shootout so the Leafs were eliminated anyways.. But the Leafs won by a few goals, and the entire ACC (or if it was at the Bell Centre, all the Toronto fans there) were chanting the stupid "Na na na na hey hey hey goodbye" cheer that Habs fans do! It was pretty awesome and a good F*CK YOU to the Habs..
Ah the memories, that was my best memory of missing the playoffs :)

Well, are you old enough to have memories of the Leafs NOT missing the playoffs... :D

[habfanman]

Food for thought:

RW Phail Kessel (-8) and D Roman Hamrlik (+9) are tied with 15 pts
Would Burke consider giving the Habs 2 firsts and a second for Hamrlik?
Or how about Jeff Halpern (15 pts,+10, $600,000)

Hmmmmm...

[The_Architect]

Well, are you old enough to have memories of the Leafs NOT missing the playoffs... :D

I'm old enough to remember Gretzky and Kerry Fraser screwing us out of a cup final! :P

[ToxiK]

I'm old enough to remember Gretzky and Kerry Fraser screwing us out of a cup final! :P

Well, you would have lost in the final anyway...

Are you old enough to remember the last Stanley Cup of the Leafs??
:D :D

[Nicko999]

The opponent can't only concentrate on the Plekanec line now...

Plekanec, Kostitsyn, Cammalleri and Gionta all tied with 9 goals.

That's what I call balanced scoring.

However that best stat is that all 6 defenseman (Subban instead of Weber) are a combined +34.:tup:

[Nicko999]

BTW- Sidney Crosby is currently the only player in the NHL more valuable to its team than Price

Insanity...as simple as that!:sly:
http://bit.ly/dGLIbL

[freeweed]

Much as I hate to admit it, I think Crosby's going to make a decent run at 50 in 50. Stamkos is just completely flumoxed right now - he can't even score against the Flames.

[freeweed]

I don't know if there's nation-wide interest in this or not, but what the heck, it's unique enough...

The NHL (through Ticketmaster) is selling tickets for the Heritage Classic starting Friday morning at 10:00 MST. They'll probably sell out in about 3 minutes, so get ready for mad refreshing if you're interested.

[Tom Servo]

Much as I hate to admit it

wait... why? i'm glad crosby is stepping up and proving that he, not ovi, is the best player.

and 50 in 50... how about 80 in 80??? :cool:

[freeweed]

:previous: I still find Crosby to be a bit of a whiny overrated douche. Plus, at this age he should finally be able to grow proper playoff facial hair without looking like a pedophile.

[Darkoshvilli]

Don't know what I was thinking, Habs-Wings is tomorrow, not today. Oh well, at least I get to see the Leafs get plastered by the Flyers tonight.:banana:

[Tom Servo]

:previous: I still find Crosby to be a bit of a whiny overrated douche. Plus, at this age he should finally be able to grow proper playoff facial hair without looking like a pedophile.

wait... i can understand not liking him because he gets preferential treatment and the commissioner sucks his dick and he's a whiner... but overrated? come on man... the guy puts up 100 points every year and is on pace for like 130-50 points... i, personally would LOVE to see him on my team, and i'm pretty sure anyone else would too.
:shrug:

[Calgarian]

As much as Crosby can be a whiner at times, he's still the best player in the game right now, no question.

[Yume-sama]

lol over rated definitely isn't the right word for him... but it's easy to not like him.

Though, that whole Gold Medal goal did help to shape the public opinion of him to be more favourable :P

Even if it was totally set up by Jarome Iginla (:D), and Ryan Miller completely messed up on it....

Kind of funny the Stanley Cup winning goal was equally as horrible, and pretty much the same.

Hmm, personally, of them all I find Stamkos to be the best, personality wise. A nice respectable guy, kinda reminds me of Stevey Y.

[freeweed]

wait... i can understand not liking him because he gets preferential treatment and the commissioner sucks his dick and he's a whiner... but overrated? come on man... the guy puts up 100 points every year and is on pace for like 130-50 points... i, personally would LOVE to see him on my team, and i'm pretty sure anyone else would too.
:shrug:

Anyone can be overrated. When Crosby is compared to Gretzky, - or hell, I've even heard people claim he's a better player than Gretzky ever was - yes, he's being overrated.

Crosby's a great player, no question. Hall of Fame the year he retires, likely to win a ton more awards, etc, etc. But is he the second coming of Christ who's re-inventing the game? Not by a long shot.

Being the best current player in the league doesn't mean you can't be overrated.

[Tom Servo]

Anyone can be overrated. When Crosby is compared to Gretzky, - or hell, I've even heard people claim he's a better player than Gretzky ever was - yes, he's being overrated.

Crosby's a great player, no question. Hall of Fame the year he retires, likely to win a ton more awards, etc, etc. But is he the second coming of Christ who's re-inventing the game? Not by a long shot.

Being the best current player in the league doesn't mean you can't be overrated.

i've never heard anyone say crosby is better than gretzky, but i've heard people say that about ovi... which is worse imo (lol, i saw a comment on youtube that said: if ovi played in gretzky's time, he'd put up 200 points every year)

but anyone who compares a player to gretzky must be an absurdist.

and i agree, stamkos is much more likable. problem is, i don't see stamkos on the same level as ovi or crosby... yet.

[freeweed]

:previous: Agree with that, for the most part.

Maybe I just hang in certain circles, but the Crosby worship is sickening sometimes. None of Stamkos, Crosby, or Ovechkin are quite at the "one of the top 10 players of all time" kinda level yet - and likely won't ever be. But it's sure nice to have them around. It's been a while since we've had so much scoring from several players at the same time.

Actually part of why I find Crosby a bit overrated is that he's a bit dull in my opinion. Ovechkin and Stamkos, while maybe not possessing the sheer overall talent Crosby does, are just so much more FUN to watch sometimes. I just don't get that same thrill watching Crosby.

I think a lot of people really goo over Crosby because after a long line of anointed "next ones", he's finally succeeding. Lindros, Tavares, Daigle, (I'm sure others can fill in many more, this is just off the top of my head) - all great junior players who were supposed to be the Next Big Thing. All disappointments to varying degrees.

[Yume-sama]

Actually, if Ovechkin / Stamkos / Crosby played in the early 80's they probably would put up close to 200 points. When you consider they can get 120 - 130 now when goaltenders are actually *capable* of scientifically playing the position and don't just give it a half-hearted Ron Hextall kick. The whole league is arguably a lot more talented now. Even the low end guys are professionals and bred from an early age.

I guess we will never know~ But the league is so different now, there's no wonder people use "modern day" records instead of all-time.

[Tom Servo]

Actually, if Ovechkin / Stamkos / Crosby played in the early 80's they probably would put up close to 200 points. When you consider they can get 120 - 130 now when goaltenders are actually *capable* of scientifically playing the position and don't just give it a half-hearted Ron Hextall kick. The whole league is arguably a lot more talented now. Even the low end guys are professionals and bred from an early age.

I guess we will never know~ But the league is so different now, there's no wonder people use "modern day" records instead of all-time.

i doubt stamkos or ovi will put up 120-130

MAYBE ovi... but i don't know... he does seem to be finding the ability to PASS the puck lately, so who knows?

and about being crosby being dull...
i cannot agree with that. when i watch him play (which isn't very often), i often find myself thinking: wow, sick move

i don't know. i guess i don't really get the crosby hate... :shrug:

and while i realize stamkos has a whole lot of talent and can score goals, but is he really that much better than say bäckström or malkin?
i've heard people talking about how he's the next brett hull... come on, really?

[freeweed]

Actually, if Ovechkin / Stamkos / Crosby played in the early 80's they probably would put up close to 200 points. When you consider they can get 120 - 130 now when goaltenders are actually *capable* of scientifically playing the position and don't just give it a half-hearted Ron Hextall kick. The whole league is arguably a lot more talented now. Even the low end guys are professionals and bred from an early age.

Plus goaltenders have 8 foot wide pads. Their equipment has made as much difference as their coaching, if not more.

[freeweed]

i don't know. i guess i don't really get the crosby hate... :shrug:

Why is this hate? Just because I don't worship the ground the guy walks on? Is it impossible to say a single non-positive thing about someone without it being "hate" these days? Yeesh, I wasn't calling for his murder, I just think people talk him up more than he deserves sometimes.

and while i realize stamkos has a whole lot of talent and can score goals, but is he really that much better than say bäckström?
i've heard people talking about how he's the next brett hull... come on, really?

You'd probably be shocked to find that I also found Hull a generally boring player. Cherry-pickingly, crease-crashingly, dull. If he had played in the era of no 2 line passes, all he'd ever have done is sit by the blue line waiting for the long pass (something Iginla does FAR too much of post-lockout). I'd say Stamkos easily has more raw talent and is more fun to watch than Hull ever was. And I don't think St. Louis is quite the setup guy Oates was, either. St. Louis is good, and helps Stamkos a lot, but Oates MADE Hull.

[MrOilers]

Crosby is the best player in the NHL, hands down.

He has won the Art Ross and Hart trophies, a Stanley Cup, an Olympic Gold Medal (scoring the winning overtime goal himself), and is the youngest team captain in NHL history. He has almost 600 career points and he's only 23 damn years old.

I would never call him a whiner. He's a proven competitor and a winner and he's already very close to being in "top 10 all-time" territory.

[Tom Servo]

You'd probably be shocked to find that I also found Hull a generally boring player. Cherry-pickingly, crease-crashingly, dull. If he had played in the era of no 2 line passes, all he'd ever have done is sit by the blue line waiting for the long pass (something Iginla does FAR too much of post-lockout). I'd say Stamkos easily has more raw talent and is more fun to watch than Hull ever was. And I don't think St. Louis is quite the setup guy Oates was, either. St. Louis is good, and helps Stamkos a lot, but Oates MADE Hull.

huh, i wouldn't know... during hull's best year 1990-91, i was 5 years old. i appreciate the insight, though... i guess stat sheets can be deceptive when comparing hockey from a time i never knew to now.
:cheers:

[Tom Servo]

he's already very close to being in "top 10 all-time" territory.

after only 5 seasons?

[Some guy]

What an incredible come from behind win yesterday by the Nucks

Watched the entire thing on TV. . . . EPIC. :tup:

[MrOilers]

after only 5 seasons?

Sure.

I bet he has more accomplishments under his name than some of the guys that would be listed in a top 10 list.

[MrOilers]

You'd probably be shocked to find that I also found Hull a generally boring player. Cherry-pickingly, crease-crashingly, dull.

Brett Hull was the kind of player who would be invisible when he played. I mean, his name would not be called more than once by the play-by-play announcer for a good two and a half periods. Then, when he was written off as a total non-factor (and frankly forgotten about), from out of nowhere he would score a goal on a broken play (or a one-timer, or something) that would end up as the winner.

He sure scored a lot of goals despite being boring as hell to watch.

[Yume-sama]

Hmph. Flames still haven't won two games in a row since October.

When will Kiprusoff start pulling his weight and go down and score a damn goal?! IT'S OUR ONLY HOPE! :P

[rrskylar]

Crosby is the best player in the NHL, hands down.

He has won the Art Ross and Hart trophies, a Stanley Cup, an Olympic Gold Medal (scoring the winning overtime goal himself), and is the youngest team captain in NHL history. He has almost 600 career points and he's only 23 damn years old.

I would never call him a whiner. He's a proven competitor and a winner and he's already very close to being in "top 10 all-time" territory.

Come on man! Everyone outside the GTA not yet aware that the best player in the NHL is Phil Kessel, he scores every 5 or 6 games, he has at least 5 assists, his +/- not that great (but who cares), he's a very physical player (okay not really).....

[Yume-sama]

The only thing Phil has going for him is that he doesn't look like as big of a douche as Dion.

[Dwils01]

Leafs lose to the Flyers. Looks like another losing streak might be starting? There next game is against Montreal so I'm pretty sure that they will lose that one.

[freeweed]

The only thing Phil has going for him is that he doesn't look like as big of a douche as Dion.

Well, that and he has the "Jokinen syndrome" - ie: we bet the freaking farm on this guy, so we have to give him tons of ice time no matter how good or bad he is. For months if not years. Because eventually we'll be proven correct... right? RIGHT?

[Berklon]

Come on man! Everyone outside the GTA not yet aware that the best player in the NHL is Phil Kessel, he scores every 5 or 6 games, he has at least 5 assists, his +/- not that great (but who cares), he's a very physical player (okay not really).....

I called it when the trade was made - I knew he'd be a bust and the Loafs were giving up way too much for him. Basically that trade has set the franchise back around 5 years.

My Leaf-fan co-workers brought up the excuse the other day "he's not playing well because he has no-one good to play with.".
Of course they don't say much when I point out that there are 3 players on the same team who have more points than Kessel... and are playing MUCH better defensively to bood - and they didn't have to cough up a huge salary and 2 1st rounders and a 2nd rounder to get them.

[Darkoshvilli]

Kessel has 3 goals in his last 20. Ouch.

Thats Kovalev level streakiness.

[freeweed]

Kessel has 3 goals in his last 20. Ouch.

Thats Kovalev level streakiness.

Streakiness is when you actually score goals, but have a dry spell. 3 in 20 is just plain bad, not streaky. See also: Jokinen.

[Darkoshvilli]

Streakiness is when you actually score goals, but have a dry spell. 3 in 20 is just plain bad, not streaky. See also: Jokinen.

But he'll wake and score goals soon, he's still a talented sniper. That makes him streaky. Jokinen just plain sucks.

[freeweed]

But he'll wake and score goals soon, he's still a talented sniper. That makes him streaky. Jokinen just plain sucks.

Toronto fans have been telling me this for 2 seasons now, and I'm still waiting for this to happen.

(Personally I think he *could* develop into something more than a common 20-30 goal scorer, just not with Toronto, at least not right now)

[Darkoshvilli]

Either way, he had 8 goals in his first 8 games this year. After that, 3 in 20. I remember him having similar streaks last year as well. I think its fair to say he's a streaky scorer. Is he a 40 goal scorer on the leafs? Probably not. I can see him scoring 40 on a good team.

The biggest problem with players like Kessel though is he's absolutely useless when he's not scoring. He's incredibly soft and just floats around. This is beating decomposing horse, but what a horrible trade by Burke.

[MrOilers]

Every Bruins fan I've talked to are giddy about the Kessel trade.

[Darkoshvilli]

Every Bruins fan I've talked to are giddy about the Kessel trade.

You'd have to really know nothing about hockey to not be happy about the trade. Seguin will be twice the player Kessel ever will be and they get another good pick this year. There were also doubts about Kessels attitude in Boston.

[Coldrsx]

Omark's debut tonight...

[Yume-sama]

Omark's debut tonight...

He's supposed to pretty good, isn't he? Where will he fit in?

[Coldrsx]

^hard to say but with Hemsky and Horcoff out for around a month each... he likely will need to be 2nd or 3rd line.

[Darkoshvilli]

Subban is back in the lineup tonight. Dustin Boyd is also in after clearing waivers a while back and not playing a long time. He's replacing Gomez who's day-to-day. Detroit has lost 3 in a row, not looking good for us.

[Yume-sama]

Oh, I wouldn't necessarily say adding Subban *guarantees* you'll lose. ;)

[Darkoshvilli]

Oh, I wouldn't necessarily say adding Subban *guarantees* you'll lose. ;)

Nope, but playing an angry red-wings team at home kinda does. ;)

[Calgarian]

What a boring season so far. I had hoped that when Sutter took over our days as a basement dweller were all but done. If we aren't right in the race for a playoff spot by the trade deadline it's time to have a fire sale.

[Urban_Genius]

You'd have to really know nothing about hockey to not be happy about the trade. Seguin will be twice the player Kessel ever will be and they get another good pick this year. There were also doubts about Kessels attitude in Boston.
It looks like now Leaf fans are finally coming to their senses too and not drinking the Kool-Aid. I can't believe they actually supported that trade.

Instead of building his hockey team like every other team in the NHL, Burke is apparently against a re-building so instead the Leafs will just keep sucking. There's a real danger that Boston gets another top 3 pick this year and let's not even mention the Tukka Rask trade as well. Toronto, don't deal with Boston!

[reidjr]

You'd have to really know nothing about hockey to not be happy about the trade. Seguin will be twice the player Kessel ever will be and they get another good pick this year. There were also doubts about Kessels attitude in Boston.

This deal will haunt the leafs for years to come and if toronto is a lottery team again wow you would think that would mean massive changes with the leafs.This team can not keep going down this path if they were getting better maybe you could say suck it up but there getting worse.

[Flamesrule]

What a boring season so far. I had hoped that when Sutter took over our days as a basement dweller were all but done. If we aren't right in the race for a playoff spot by the trade deadline it's time to have a fire sale.



Exactly. Its pretty frustrating as a fan when Sutter was supposed to be a great coach for us. Oh well I don't think we should blame him, but Sutter for the dumb trades, and the team itself for its terrible play.

[Jay in Cowtown]

What a boring season so far..


What is this boring Flames season you speak of?

signed: NFL football, CFL football, College football, Dexter, Family Guy, Boardwalk Empire, Diners Drive Ins & Dives, Illegal downloading, Internet Porn...


War: a Fire Sale in Calgary! ;)

[The_Architect]

It looks like now Leaf fans are finally coming to their senses too and not drinking the Kool-Aid. I can't believe they actually supported that trade.

Instead of building his hockey team like every other team in the NHL, Burke is apparently against a re-building so instead the Leafs will just keep sucking. There's a real danger that Boston gets another top 3 pick this year and let's not even mention the Tukka Rask trade as well. Toronto, don't deal with Boston!

Not many Leafs fans (that have a few brain cells) actually supported it and thought it'd really pay off.. I guess Burkie assumed that Kessel would explode and the Leafs would have placed higher in the standings last year and this year. Personally I think that if it was for just one draft pick it would have been better, but two is just insane. The second I heard about the deal I had a bad feeling we were giving up 2 really good picks, but I guess I, like many others, just hoped he'd be worth it. Oh well, maybe Burke will actually surprise us with a really good trade that actually benefits us..

[freeweed]

Exactly. Its pretty frustrating as a fan when Sutter was supposed to be a great coach for us. Oh well I don't think we should blame him, but Sutter for the dumb trades, and the team itself for its terrible play.

Jokinen: $3 million
Stajan: $3.5 million
Kotalik: $anything over 25 cents, really

It's pretty obvious where the problems with this team lie. A huge chunk of salary is wrapped up in players who do nothing. I'd rather see these guys be benched, and eat their salary, than continue to ice them every night.

[freeweed]

Not many Leafs fans (that have a few brain cells) actually supported it and thought it'd really pay off.. I guess Burkie assumed that Kessel would explode and the Leafs would have placed higher in the standings last year and this year. Personally I think that if it was for just one draft pick it would have been better, but two is just insane. The second I heard about the deal I had a bad feeling we were giving up 2 really good picks, but I guess I, like many others, just hoped he'd be worth it. Oh well, maybe Burke will actually surprise us with a really good trade that actually benefits us..

To play Devil's Advocate... while I personally think Burke is actually insane, just imagine this scenario: Kessel continues to develop the way he had, and has a breakout year scoring 45-50 goals. Toronto makes it way out of the basement and its first round picks are in the #19 range or so. Kessel plays a good 10 years as a consistent 30-40 goal guy.

Would it have seemed like such a stupid trade then? I don't think so. I'd trade 2 #19 picks for a 40 goal guy right now, if I could.

As I've said to Leafs fans all along - don't feel bad about the Kessel trade. We did almost as bad a trade with Phaneuf. While he definitely needed to leave Calgary, we could have gotten a whole lot more than frigging Stajan and Hagman for him.

These 2 trades will quite possibly go down as 2 of the worst in NHL history, especially if Dion ever returns to his previous form. The guy has some serious talent if he could just get his head on straight and drop the ego.

[MrOilers]

These 2 trades will quite possibly go down as 2 of the worst in NHL history,

I wouldn't go that far.

Remember when Calgary traded Gilmour for Gary Leeman?
Or when they traded Brett Hull for Rob Ramage and Rick Wamsley?

[Darkoshvilli]

Roy for Thibeault, Kovalenko and Rusidsky.

Nuff said.

[freeweed]

I wouldn't go that far.

Remember when Calgary traded Gilmour for Gary Leeman?
Or when they traded Brett Hull for Rob Ramage and Rick Wamsley?

True, it's amazing how many astronomically bad trades have happened over the years. Don't forget Gretzky to LA - there's another trade where 1st round picks didn't ever amount to much of anything. Gelinas at least turned into a decent player (almost won Calgary a 2nd cup!).

2 of the worst in a "top 100" list then. ;)