"Hello this is Sporer, reporting live from the NHL's western conference basement. Yes folks, that's 15th place. Right here in snowy, cold, bitter, once-a-time, city of champions."
So for the two people who voted in the poll that they thought the Oilers would be in last place at this time, congrats on being awesome. The Oilers sit in the oh so not coveted 15th seat.
Pretty bad when Ales Hemsky hasn't played in 14 games, yet still sits 3rd in team scoring. Dont anyone tell me we don't miss him.
A 7-2 bashing at the hand of the Blues?! Didn't they just play last night?! Oh I forgot, the Oilers go easy on teams when its their second game in 2 nights...(i.e. Nashville).
Shawn Horcoff is a -16, Patrick O'Sullivan is a team leading -17, Denis Grebeshkov is a -11, Bobby Nilsson is a -10, and J-F Jacques is a -13. That's $14.1 million, paid out for a combined -67. That's just not NHL calibre whatsoever. If I were GM Tambellini, Id get rid of each and every one of the players named above.
Ethan Moreau's guide on how to be an NHL captain:
Take 7 minutes in penalties, going after a kid both half your size and age, then fighting his grampa, taking only 1 measly shot on net, and all of this in 15:49 of ice time!
I'm pretty sure that Zach Stortini, against Tampa Bay, scored a goal, assist, got in 2 fights, had a minor penalty for roughing, took 1 shot (which he scored on, now that's making em count), and was a +1. All in 6:22 of ice time..................and Ethan Moreau dons the "C".
Best shooting % on the team? Mike "mono" Comrie. Worst? Try and guess....
I'm 36 years of age, I have a measly 6 apples, which I guess weighs out my -6. I wear an "A" because I'm a "leader". All of this I provide for only $2.7 million a season....as much as Zach Bogosian, Joe Corvo, Matt Greene, Anton Volchenkov, Adrian Aucoin, Luke Schenn, and Mathieu Schneider.
My name is Steve Staios...
Rumor has it, New Jersey is interested in Sheldon Souray.
The Oilers asking price:
-Some of your drive and determination
-Also taking on Shawn Horcoff's contract
-Also taking our "wily" old vets: Steve Staios, Ethan Moreau, Jason Strudwick, and Nick Khabiboulin
-A new shoulder for Ales Hemsky
-Tips on how they made the Prudential Center so awesome.
Now, what would all the Oilers like for Christmas?
Ales Hemsky: a new shoulder, then someone that doesn't spoil his passes.
Andrew Cogliano: goal scoring/hands
Denis Grebeshkov: heart+a stick with extra sticky grip on the blade...
Dustin Penner: some thanks, and a team Canada sweater with his name on it
Ethan Moreau: A punching bag for frustrations, and early retirement
Fernando Pisani: a cure for Ulcerative Colitis (coulda been a great hockey player)
Gilbert Brule: all the respect he lost, given back (this young man, is a player)
Jason Strudwick: a couple concussions (so he quits playing....forever)
Jeff Deslauriers: bigger shoulder pads, and the Oilers goaltender of the year award
Jean-Francois Jacques: HANDS, and maybe just skill in general
Ladislav Smid: a bigger BBQ, another goal, and a good pat on the back
Lubomir Visnovsky: a couple inches of height and a little weight
Mike Comrie: for Hilary Duff to magically make his mono go away
Nikolai Khabiboulin: a 20 years olds back, and less money...
Patrick O`Sullivan: some REAL testicles, and maybe some guts too
Robert Nilsson: some thanks, then a new seat cushion, for those cold night up in the rafters....
Ryan Potulny: better linemates, and a new start with the big club
Ryan Stone: HANDS, and goal scoring
Sam Gagner: the player he is supposed to be to take over his body, and some DRIVE
Shawn Horcoff: a $3 million pay cut
Sheldon Souray: his real self back, and for blocking shots to become illegal
Steve Staios: skating speed, and just hockey sense
Tom Gilbert: some of those guts Patty`O got, and maybe a harder shot
Zach Stortini: the unsung hero award, and more icetime
Pat Quinn: a team with more heart
Tom Renney: more paper, and a new drawing board
Kelly Buchberger: plastic surgery on his lips and nose, hair plugs, and a deeper voice
Steve Tambellini: the heart to tell Kevin Lowe he did a shitty ass job, and pull the trigger on all his experiments...minus Penner of course.
Merrry Christmas from all of us here at SmithSporerHockey (its kinda just me these days)
-Sporer
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Another Awesome Oilers Post...just for Drew
So as everyone knows, the Oilers have taken a swan dive out of playoff contention and don't look like they will be making a great big push towards making the post season. Even Pat Quinn seems to be dumbfounded at what is wrong with this team. He has had some pretty harsh comments as of late, which sound like a very frustrated coach;
"We have a group that stares at the puck and doesn't recognize danger, doesn't recognize open people,"
"Were not ready to win yet, I guess"
"A lot of times when the shot comes, we got 5 people in the picture not doing anything"
That's pretty deep. This team seems to be on the very precipice of being blown up. When I say blown up, I mean, players traded, let go, ecetera ecetera... With that said, I thought it would be interesting to group the players, based on performance, into who would stay, who would go, and who is on the fence.
Ales Hemsky: 7G 15A 22P +7 KEEP: Hemsky is not an expendable player for a team that lacks true raw talent. Adding a sniper for Hemsky to play with, would be hugely beneficial.
Andrew Cogliano: 3G 5A 8P +4 ON THE FENCE: Cogliano shows huge efforts some nights, and other nights he is invisible. Not only that, but he needs to bring more offence to be worthy of keeping around.
Colin Mcdonald: 1G 0A 1P 0 KEEP: Mcdonald has shown in just two games that he is a keeper. His goal on Luongo was an absolute snipe. He'll make a great 4th/3rd liner.
Dene Arsene: 0G 0A 0P 0 KEEP: Arsene showed some promise when he was called up, he seems to be a good stay at home type, and should provide good leadership to the farm.
Denis Grebeshkov: 3G 7A 10P -7 ON THE FENCE: "Grebs" has some great offensive upside, however, in his own end, he seems to lack the shutdown quality that would keep him here. He is a minute muncher as well, which also helps his stock.
Dustin Penner: 14G 14A 28P +11 KEEP: Penner has finally found his game, weather it was the coaching change, or just getting the right frame of mind, his +/- has been good the last two seasons as well, which helps.
Ethan Moreau(C): 4G 3A 7P +2 EXPENDABLE: Moreau hasn't been all that bad, and in a 4th/3rd line role he does pretty good, however, having the C on his chest doesn't help when he takes bad penalties with 5 minutes to go. See ya chopper...
Fernando Pisani: 0G 0A 0p -3 EXPENDABLE: Pisani has never made good on his contract, injuries have been aplenty and I do feel bad for the guy in that fact. However, when he has been in the lineup, he hasn't been effective, oh and did I mention he makes to much money?
Gilbert Brule: 7G 8A 15P 0 KEEP: Gilbert has been a bright spot for the Oilers, as he has proven to be a quality player. He has made major strides and shown himself to be very effective, resigning him is in the Oilers best interests.
Jason Strudwick: 0G 3A 3P -2 EXPENDABLE: Strudwick is brutal with the puck, he leads the Oilers in giveaways. He isn't a top 6 defensman.
Jean Francois-Jacques: 2G 3A 5P -7 ON THE FENCE: To me, Jacques needs to better his +/- before Id consider keeping him around, however, leading the team in hits is definitely a good thing, and he has found his game as a power forward, he just needs to work a little harder on it.
Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers: 3W 2.58GAA .914SV% KEEP: Deslauriers is going to get his chance here really soon to be Edmonton's starting goalie, and considering his performances so far, it seems he will be ready for it, there will be growing pains, but it has to begin somewhere.
Ladislav Smid: 0G 6A 6P +8 KEEP: Smid's +/- helps his stock a lot, he has proven to be a quality shut down type. He just needs to find a little more offence to really complete the package.
Liam Reddox: 0G 2A 2P -2 EXPENDABLE: Reddox sucks. He is not NHL quality player. He is barely AHL quality. Absolute garbage.
Lubomir Visnovsky: 5G 13A 18P +6 EXPENDABLE: "Vish" is only expendable because of Souray, and because he is very soft. So many nights Visnovsky gets worked off the puck in his own end.
Mike Comrie: 5G 3A 8P -3 EXPENDABLE: Was Mike here to stay anyways? He has been hurt/sick for most of the season thus far, yet when in the lineup, he was sometimes invisible.
Nikolai Khabiboulin: 7W 3.03GAA .909SV% EXPENDABLE: Khabiboulin's age is showing, and with the way Deslauriers has played in his absence, the Oilers might as well move into the Deslauriers age in net.
Patrick O`Sullivan: 4G 9A 13P -9 EXPENDABLE: O`Sullivan is way to soft, and his +/- isn't very good either. For a guy that was supposed to bring offence, he has been a disappointment.
Robert Nilsson: 1G 3A 4P -12 EXPENDABLE: For a guy who has only played 12 games. Having a -12, is downright brutal. Not only that but he is completely ineffective offensively.
Ryan Potulny: 5G 2A 7P +1 KEEP: Potulny has 5 goals in just 10 games since being called up. He is probably the Oilers best call-up, and most surprising source of offence. Sending him down will be tough.
Ryan Stone: 0G 3A 3P -2 ON THE FENCE: I don't think anyone has seen enough of Ryan Stone to pass judgment, however, he just doesn't figure into the lineup anymore.
Sam Gagner: 5G 10A 15P -4 KEEP: Gagner's efforts have been way better this season. He gives 100% just about every night, and that will go a long way for both his offence and overall game.
Shawn Horcoff: 5G 6A 11P -8 EXPENDABLE: Horcoff`s offense has gone, and his utility play has also left. He hasn't been the leader in the faceoff circle the Oilers need, and hasn't been the first line center he is being paid to be. His contract makes him expendable.
Sheldon Souray: 2G 4A 6P -6 KEEP: Souray is a leader. He deserves to have the C on his jersey, and if Moreau leaves, it will be his. He brings it every night, and how could you give up a shot like that?
Steve Staios: 0G 6A 6P 0 EXPENDABLE: Staios has been expendable for the last 3 seasons. He is paid to much, and doesn't play well enough. He is liable in his own end all the time.
Taylor Chorney: 0G 1A 1P -6 KEEP: Chorney has shown that he can play at the NHL level, he has the offensive tools, he just needs to solidify his defensive game.
Theo Peckham: 0G 0A 0P -5 ON THE FENCE: Peckham can be replaced, he seems to be great on the farm and that would be the only reason to keep him around. With Plante and Petry in the wings, Peckham is becoming expendable.
Tom Gilbert: 1G 4A 5P -3 EXPENDABLE: Gilbert has been a let down for the Oilers offensively, and for a minute muncher and a big contract, his +/- has been unacceptable. He plays soft and it has started to show.
Zach Stortini: 2G 2A 4P 0 KEEP: Stortini is a great 4th line fighter type. He adds a few goals annually, and isn't a defensive liability. For the size of his contract, he is very easy to keep around.
Anyways, leave some comments, I`d like to hear who you would keep, and get rid of.
-Sporer
"We have a group that stares at the puck and doesn't recognize danger, doesn't recognize open people,"
"Were not ready to win yet, I guess"
"A lot of times when the shot comes, we got 5 people in the picture not doing anything"
That's pretty deep. This team seems to be on the very precipice of being blown up. When I say blown up, I mean, players traded, let go, ecetera ecetera... With that said, I thought it would be interesting to group the players, based on performance, into who would stay, who would go, and who is on the fence.
Ales Hemsky: 7G 15A 22P +7 KEEP: Hemsky is not an expendable player for a team that lacks true raw talent. Adding a sniper for Hemsky to play with, would be hugely beneficial.
Andrew Cogliano: 3G 5A 8P +4 ON THE FENCE: Cogliano shows huge efforts some nights, and other nights he is invisible. Not only that, but he needs to bring more offence to be worthy of keeping around.
Colin Mcdonald: 1G 0A 1P 0 KEEP: Mcdonald has shown in just two games that he is a keeper. His goal on Luongo was an absolute snipe. He'll make a great 4th/3rd liner.
Dene Arsene: 0G 0A 0P 0 KEEP: Arsene showed some promise when he was called up, he seems to be a good stay at home type, and should provide good leadership to the farm.
Denis Grebeshkov: 3G 7A 10P -7 ON THE FENCE: "Grebs" has some great offensive upside, however, in his own end, he seems to lack the shutdown quality that would keep him here. He is a minute muncher as well, which also helps his stock.
Dustin Penner: 14G 14A 28P +11 KEEP: Penner has finally found his game, weather it was the coaching change, or just getting the right frame of mind, his +/- has been good the last two seasons as well, which helps.
Ethan Moreau(C): 4G 3A 7P +2 EXPENDABLE: Moreau hasn't been all that bad, and in a 4th/3rd line role he does pretty good, however, having the C on his chest doesn't help when he takes bad penalties with 5 minutes to go. See ya chopper...
Fernando Pisani: 0G 0A 0p -3 EXPENDABLE: Pisani has never made good on his contract, injuries have been aplenty and I do feel bad for the guy in that fact. However, when he has been in the lineup, he hasn't been effective, oh and did I mention he makes to much money?
Gilbert Brule: 7G 8A 15P 0 KEEP: Gilbert has been a bright spot for the Oilers, as he has proven to be a quality player. He has made major strides and shown himself to be very effective, resigning him is in the Oilers best interests.
Jason Strudwick: 0G 3A 3P -2 EXPENDABLE: Strudwick is brutal with the puck, he leads the Oilers in giveaways. He isn't a top 6 defensman.
Jean Francois-Jacques: 2G 3A 5P -7 ON THE FENCE: To me, Jacques needs to better his +/- before Id consider keeping him around, however, leading the team in hits is definitely a good thing, and he has found his game as a power forward, he just needs to work a little harder on it.
Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers: 3W 2.58GAA .914SV% KEEP: Deslauriers is going to get his chance here really soon to be Edmonton's starting goalie, and considering his performances so far, it seems he will be ready for it, there will be growing pains, but it has to begin somewhere.
Ladislav Smid: 0G 6A 6P +8 KEEP: Smid's +/- helps his stock a lot, he has proven to be a quality shut down type. He just needs to find a little more offence to really complete the package.
Liam Reddox: 0G 2A 2P -2 EXPENDABLE: Reddox sucks. He is not NHL quality player. He is barely AHL quality. Absolute garbage.
Lubomir Visnovsky: 5G 13A 18P +6 EXPENDABLE: "Vish" is only expendable because of Souray, and because he is very soft. So many nights Visnovsky gets worked off the puck in his own end.
Mike Comrie: 5G 3A 8P -3 EXPENDABLE: Was Mike here to stay anyways? He has been hurt/sick for most of the season thus far, yet when in the lineup, he was sometimes invisible.
Nikolai Khabiboulin: 7W 3.03GAA .909SV% EXPENDABLE: Khabiboulin's age is showing, and with the way Deslauriers has played in his absence, the Oilers might as well move into the Deslauriers age in net.
Patrick O`Sullivan: 4G 9A 13P -9 EXPENDABLE: O`Sullivan is way to soft, and his +/- isn't very good either. For a guy that was supposed to bring offence, he has been a disappointment.
Robert Nilsson: 1G 3A 4P -12 EXPENDABLE: For a guy who has only played 12 games. Having a -12, is downright brutal. Not only that but he is completely ineffective offensively.
Ryan Potulny: 5G 2A 7P +1 KEEP: Potulny has 5 goals in just 10 games since being called up. He is probably the Oilers best call-up, and most surprising source of offence. Sending him down will be tough.
Ryan Stone: 0G 3A 3P -2 ON THE FENCE: I don't think anyone has seen enough of Ryan Stone to pass judgment, however, he just doesn't figure into the lineup anymore.
Sam Gagner: 5G 10A 15P -4 KEEP: Gagner's efforts have been way better this season. He gives 100% just about every night, and that will go a long way for both his offence and overall game.
Shawn Horcoff: 5G 6A 11P -8 EXPENDABLE: Horcoff`s offense has gone, and his utility play has also left. He hasn't been the leader in the faceoff circle the Oilers need, and hasn't been the first line center he is being paid to be. His contract makes him expendable.
Sheldon Souray: 2G 4A 6P -6 KEEP: Souray is a leader. He deserves to have the C on his jersey, and if Moreau leaves, it will be his. He brings it every night, and how could you give up a shot like that?
Steve Staios: 0G 6A 6P 0 EXPENDABLE: Staios has been expendable for the last 3 seasons. He is paid to much, and doesn't play well enough. He is liable in his own end all the time.
Taylor Chorney: 0G 1A 1P -6 KEEP: Chorney has shown that he can play at the NHL level, he has the offensive tools, he just needs to solidify his defensive game.
Theo Peckham: 0G 0A 0P -5 ON THE FENCE: Peckham can be replaced, he seems to be great on the farm and that would be the only reason to keep him around. With Plante and Petry in the wings, Peckham is becoming expendable.
Tom Gilbert: 1G 4A 5P -3 EXPENDABLE: Gilbert has been a let down for the Oilers offensively, and for a minute muncher and a big contract, his +/- has been unacceptable. He plays soft and it has started to show.
Zach Stortini: 2G 2A 4P 0 KEEP: Stortini is a great 4th line fighter type. He adds a few goals annually, and isn't a defensive liability. For the size of his contract, he is very easy to keep around.
Anyways, leave some comments, I`d like to hear who you would keep, and get rid of.
-Sporer
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Team Canada... 40 days to go
So with 40 days to go til the naming of Canada's most anticipated entry in the Olympics, the men's ice hockey team. The NHL season has been pretty interesting for a lot of the players vying for their inclusion on the roster. Steve Yzerman has had his work cut out for him as he has to build from the most talented country in hockey. So I thought that I'd give my 40 day previous shot, at naming the Canadian roster. Last January I think I made an attempt and this team may be much different. For each player I will give a break down of their stats so far this season, and why I have included them. So bear with me, this may be a lengthy post...
1st line Center: #87 Sidney Crosby
10G 12A 22P
"Sid the Kid" will center team Canada, because he is Canada's star. He is the best player our country has to offer. End of story.
1st line Right Wing: (A) #12 Jarome Iginla
15G 7A 22P
Jarome will be one of Canada's leaders, both in age, and skill. He brings to the team some of the NHL's best goal scoring and leadership. Without a doubt "Iggy" will be on Canada's first line.
1st line Left Wing: #61 Rick Nash
14G 11A 25P
Rick has represented Canada at a couple of national events now, and has excelled each team he donned the red and white. Now Nash will take on the burden of being on Canada's top line.
2nd line Center: #19 Joe Thornton
7G 25A 32P
Big Joe leads all Canadian players in points right now, however, it is his post season/ "crunch time" play that will have him heavily scrutinized, however all this shouldn't keep him from being a prolific play maker for team Canada.
2nd line Right Wing: #15 Dany Heatley
18G 10A 28P
Dany has endured some interesting hype over the summer, but that shouldn't keep him off the team Canada roster, he has already proven no slowing as he and Joe Thornton have proved to be one of the NHL's top pairings.
2nd line Left Wing: #91 Steven Stamkos
14G 8G 22P
Steven Stamkos will make his Olympic debut a little earlier then most thought. This young man has certainly excited and amused most Canadians so far this season. Lets hope he can keep the magic going on the world stage.
3rd line Center: #18 Mike Richards
9G 10A 19P
Richards will be Canada's second coming of bobby clarke. This young man will be the grit and driving force even from the third line. He brings it every night, weather it be killing penalties, scoring goals, or making big hits.
3rd line Right Wing: #4 Vincent Lecavalier
4G 15A 19P
Considering his lack of play in the spotlight in Tampa Bay, maybe a third line spot will be well suited for Vinny. He should prove to be a very use full tool and clutch performer for team Canada.
3rd line Left Wing: #17 Jeff Carter
7G 12A 19P
Carter is a big boy, and clutch performer. Last year Carter exploded for 46 goals, and showed the league just how good a player he is, now he must show the world. Which shouldn't be to much of a problem, this kid got game.
4th line Center: #51 Ryan Getzlaf
3G 22A 25P
After a little bit of a slow start to the season, the "Great Getzy" will headline Canada's "energy" line, and with him there, energy is what they will get. He fights, hits, scores, makes plays, and dangles like a true Canadian.
4th line Right Wing: #10 Corey Perry
13G 14A 27P
Perry has shown time and time again to be a very effective and powerful forward. He has some crazy sick dangles, and in around the net, he is downright deadly. Oh and did I mention he is 6'3" 208lbs.
4th line Left Wing: #37 Dustin Penner
13G 12A 25P
Okay, so I know I'm gonna get eaten alive for this one, but how can you leave this guy off the team?! He has been downright awesome, just about every night for Edmonton, plus, his size would be a huge weapon against the other smaller national teams.
Taxi Squad: #94 Ryan Smyth #92 Brad Richards
Richards and Smyth are both use full players for Canada, if need be. Captain Canada is of course, well, lets leave it to the name, and Richards is a powerplay master. Both kill penalties, and both are integral parts to each others teams.
Defensive Pairing #1: (C) #27 Scott Niedermayer- (A) #44 Chris Pronger
Niedermayer: 2G 14P -4 Pronger: 4G 18P +13
Niedermayer gets the "C" as Canada's most prolific "winner" and as its biggest leader. Pronger will be Canada's stalwart, again. Both of these two players will bring leadership and all-star defense to their national team.
Defensive Pairing #2: #52 Mike Green- #2 Duncan Keith
Green: 3G 23P +4 Keith: 5G 18P +8
Green is Canada's most prolific scorer, he scores like a forward, and should be Canada's #1 powerplay quarterback. Keith will be the steadiness to this pairing, as he is continuously one the NHL's best +/- players.
Defensive Pairing #3: #22 Dan Boyle- #4 Jay Bouwmeester
Boyle: 4G 21P +8 Bouwmeester: 2G 12P +6
Again team Canada will have a prolific scoring defender in Dan Boyle, balanced by one of the NHL's best shutdown defensemen, Jay Bouwmeester. These two round out possibly one of the best defense's team Canada has ever assembled.
Taxi Squad: #8 Shea Weber
#1 Goaltender: #30 Martin Brodeur
12W .920Sv% 2.22GAA
Who ever doubted this man would be Canada's go-to goalie? He is right there next to Patrick Roy as the best goalie this country has ever seen. Even if his NHL numbers sucked, there is no doubt that once that Canadian jersey was on his shoulders, he would become that hero.
#2 Goaltender: #1 Roberto Luongo
8W .907Sv% 2.64GAA
Probably the last time Roberto plays second fiddle for team Canada. His goaltending prowess has helped Vancouver to be competitive every season thus far, and if Brodeur gets hurt, Luongo would help the team to play on without skipping a beat.
#3 Goaltender: #29 Marc-Andre Fleury
12W .902Sv% 2.63GAA
His Stanley Cup win helps bump him into this class of player, as before, he had never win anything, including a losing performance in his world junior championships. However, those days are over and Fleury will be on board with Team Canada.
So leave your comments as its always fun trying to name this team and I'm sure Ive pissed a few people off, maybe surprised and delighted a few of you, or maybe just dumbfounded some. Anyways, Go Canada Go. Those stupid Pepsi cheers suck...
-Sporer
1st line Center: #87 Sidney Crosby
10G 12A 22P
"Sid the Kid" will center team Canada, because he is Canada's star. He is the best player our country has to offer. End of story.
1st line Right Wing: (A) #12 Jarome Iginla
15G 7A 22P
Jarome will be one of Canada's leaders, both in age, and skill. He brings to the team some of the NHL's best goal scoring and leadership. Without a doubt "Iggy" will be on Canada's first line.
1st line Left Wing: #61 Rick Nash
14G 11A 25P
Rick has represented Canada at a couple of national events now, and has excelled each team he donned the red and white. Now Nash will take on the burden of being on Canada's top line.
2nd line Center: #19 Joe Thornton
7G 25A 32P
Big Joe leads all Canadian players in points right now, however, it is his post season/ "crunch time" play that will have him heavily scrutinized, however all this shouldn't keep him from being a prolific play maker for team Canada.
2nd line Right Wing: #15 Dany Heatley
18G 10A 28P
Dany has endured some interesting hype over the summer, but that shouldn't keep him off the team Canada roster, he has already proven no slowing as he and Joe Thornton have proved to be one of the NHL's top pairings.
2nd line Left Wing: #91 Steven Stamkos
14G 8G 22P
Steven Stamkos will make his Olympic debut a little earlier then most thought. This young man has certainly excited and amused most Canadians so far this season. Lets hope he can keep the magic going on the world stage.
3rd line Center: #18 Mike Richards
9G 10A 19P
Richards will be Canada's second coming of bobby clarke. This young man will be the grit and driving force even from the third line. He brings it every night, weather it be killing penalties, scoring goals, or making big hits.
3rd line Right Wing: #4 Vincent Lecavalier
4G 15A 19P
Considering his lack of play in the spotlight in Tampa Bay, maybe a third line spot will be well suited for Vinny. He should prove to be a very use full tool and clutch performer for team Canada.
3rd line Left Wing: #17 Jeff Carter
7G 12A 19P
Carter is a big boy, and clutch performer. Last year Carter exploded for 46 goals, and showed the league just how good a player he is, now he must show the world. Which shouldn't be to much of a problem, this kid got game.
4th line Center: #51 Ryan Getzlaf
3G 22A 25P
After a little bit of a slow start to the season, the "Great Getzy" will headline Canada's "energy" line, and with him there, energy is what they will get. He fights, hits, scores, makes plays, and dangles like a true Canadian.
4th line Right Wing: #10 Corey Perry
13G 14A 27P
Perry has shown time and time again to be a very effective and powerful forward. He has some crazy sick dangles, and in around the net, he is downright deadly. Oh and did I mention he is 6'3" 208lbs.
4th line Left Wing: #37 Dustin Penner
13G 12A 25P
Okay, so I know I'm gonna get eaten alive for this one, but how can you leave this guy off the team?! He has been downright awesome, just about every night for Edmonton, plus, his size would be a huge weapon against the other smaller national teams.
Taxi Squad: #94 Ryan Smyth #92 Brad Richards
Richards and Smyth are both use full players for Canada, if need be. Captain Canada is of course, well, lets leave it to the name, and Richards is a powerplay master. Both kill penalties, and both are integral parts to each others teams.
Defensive Pairing #1: (C) #27 Scott Niedermayer- (A) #44 Chris Pronger
Niedermayer: 2G 14P -4 Pronger: 4G 18P +13
Niedermayer gets the "C" as Canada's most prolific "winner" and as its biggest leader. Pronger will be Canada's stalwart, again. Both of these two players will bring leadership and all-star defense to their national team.
Defensive Pairing #2: #52 Mike Green- #2 Duncan Keith
Green: 3G 23P +4 Keith: 5G 18P +8
Green is Canada's most prolific scorer, he scores like a forward, and should be Canada's #1 powerplay quarterback. Keith will be the steadiness to this pairing, as he is continuously one the NHL's best +/- players.
Defensive Pairing #3: #22 Dan Boyle- #4 Jay Bouwmeester
Boyle: 4G 21P +8 Bouwmeester: 2G 12P +6
Again team Canada will have a prolific scoring defender in Dan Boyle, balanced by one of the NHL's best shutdown defensemen, Jay Bouwmeester. These two round out possibly one of the best defense's team Canada has ever assembled.
Taxi Squad: #8 Shea Weber
#1 Goaltender: #30 Martin Brodeur
12W .920Sv% 2.22GAA
Who ever doubted this man would be Canada's go-to goalie? He is right there next to Patrick Roy as the best goalie this country has ever seen. Even if his NHL numbers sucked, there is no doubt that once that Canadian jersey was on his shoulders, he would become that hero.
#2 Goaltender: #1 Roberto Luongo
8W .907Sv% 2.64GAA
Probably the last time Roberto plays second fiddle for team Canada. His goaltending prowess has helped Vancouver to be competitive every season thus far, and if Brodeur gets hurt, Luongo would help the team to play on without skipping a beat.
#3 Goaltender: #29 Marc-Andre Fleury
12W .902Sv% 2.63GAA
His Stanley Cup win helps bump him into this class of player, as before, he had never win anything, including a losing performance in his world junior championships. However, those days are over and Fleury will be on board with Team Canada.
So leave your comments as its always fun trying to name this team and I'm sure Ive pissed a few people off, maybe surprised and delighted a few of you, or maybe just dumbfounded some. Anyways, Go Canada Go. Those stupid Pepsi cheers suck...
-Sporer
Friday, November 20, 2009
Qucik Hit ideas
So I was bored last night and came up with an idea for the NHL to shake things up, and maybe even help team sales, help a few teams out by evening out the amount of travel for each NHL team. My idea: reformatting the divisions/conferences. This way, we get away from some of the same old matches we have seen now for over a decade, keeping a few of the major rivalries, and creating a new level of competition and possibly evening things out a little (no more southeast division). So here is my new conferences and divisions:
Campbell Conference:
Div 1
Edmonton
Vancouver
Calgary
Chicago
Columbus
Div 2
Dallas
Tampa Bay
Florida
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Div 3
Colorado
Washington
St Louis
Buffalo
New Jersey
Wales Conference:
Div 1
Montreal
Toronto
Ottawa
Minnesota
Carolina
Div 2
Boston
Phoenix
San Jose
New York R
New York I
Div 3
LA
Anaheim
Detroit
Nashville
Atlanta
So with this, my new NHL, there is a little more travel between division, then in the old NHL (new jersey, pitts, new york, new york, philly all in one div). This should even things out for all the teams like Vancouver and Florida. Also, this may help in ticket sales, as now teams are playing different teams more often, and yet, some of the good rivalries, are still intact. Competition within conferences should be interesting as superpowers have switched sides, and now team building may become a huge factor.
Anyways, just thought I`d throw out an idea.
-Sporer
Campbell Conference:
Div 1
Edmonton
Vancouver
Calgary
Chicago
Columbus
Div 2
Dallas
Tampa Bay
Florida
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Div 3
Colorado
Washington
St Louis
Buffalo
New Jersey
Wales Conference:
Div 1
Montreal
Toronto
Ottawa
Minnesota
Carolina
Div 2
Boston
Phoenix
San Jose
New York R
New York I
Div 3
LA
Anaheim
Detroit
Nashville
Atlanta
So with this, my new NHL, there is a little more travel between division, then in the old NHL (new jersey, pitts, new york, new york, philly all in one div). This should even things out for all the teams like Vancouver and Florida. Also, this may help in ticket sales, as now teams are playing different teams more often, and yet, some of the good rivalries, are still intact. Competition within conferences should be interesting as superpowers have switched sides, and now team building may become a huge factor.
Anyways, just thought I`d throw out an idea.
-Sporer
Monday, November 16, 2009
A leak in the tank?
Happy "Movember" everyone. As this is the month to grow the ever so awesome "stache". The Oilers are doing it, boys at my store are doin it, everyone is doin it. Here are a couple good pic's of the Oilers awesome "staches".
So, enough of all the fun and happy stuff, lets get down to business. So the Oilers ended their 5 game road trip with just 4 out of a possible 10 points...that's not all that fantastic. They were however 2 goals away from ending with 7 out of 10 points. However, that's clearly the past.... Looking to the future (the Oilers next 10 games), here is what the schedule looks like:
Nov 18: Colorado
Nov 21: Chicago
Nov 23: Phoenix
Nov 25: LA
Nov 27: San Jose
Nov 28: @Vancouver
Dec 3: @ Detroit
Dec 5: @ Dallas
Dec 7: @ Florida
Dec 9: @ Tampa Bay
So a 5 game homestand and then a 7 game road-trip (2 games un shown). So seeing as how their home record sits at 6-3-1, and their road record at 2-7-2, lets say they go 3-1-1 at home, then 1-3-1 on the road. That's 10 points out of a possible 20... based on their current record. Not good. So here is hoping that they can put their record behind them, and put some wins on the board... Winning 4 out of 5 at home would be a good start. Now, lets consider this seasons meeting with these teams. Colorado: Shut out the Oilers in game #1, 3-0, Oilers win 5-3 in Denver in game #2. That leaves this game right up in the air, however Colorado's recent
performances point to an Oilers home win. Chicago: The hawks beat the Oilers in Edmonton in the only meeting of the year 4-3, and Chicago is playing pretty good right now.... Phoenix: The Oilers haven't played the "Yotes" yet this season, but considering they usually own the desert dogs, put down a win for the OIL. The next two teams the Oilers haven't played yet either (San Jose, LA) and Ryan Smyth coming back to town playing so well lately isn't good, and Dany Heatley's arrival for the first time since the summers bull-shit, will spell another exciting night....
Now to the road, Vancouver: the last time the Oil entered GM place, they got shutout 2-0. So going back will hopefully be a better outcome. Dallas: Oilers beat the Stars, end of story. Florida/Tampa Bay: doing the Florida trip is hard on teams, but the Oilers are one that usually do well, so here is hoping that they can keep that up.
So all in all, there is a lot hanging on these next 10 games. The Oilers sit in 12th, only 3 points out of a playoff spot, even though they have been brutal lately. So putting together a string on wins now, would be huge. They could easily put this horrible road-trip, and last 10 games behind them and never look back. There are shining lights in the Oilers lineup: Hemsky has 19 points, Penner has 23, Visnovsky has 13... Then the "not -so shining" lights: Horcoff 7 points and -6, Souray 5GP 2 points. Souray has been hurt, which in turn, hurts the Oilers.
A little more on Horcoff: his faceoff % sits at 50%. That number doesn't even give him the
argument that he brings that intangible to the team. His stats suck, and he has been in and out of the lineup lately. He is the Oilers leading forward for time on ice per game. Yet, just 7 points. He is normally on the #1 powerplay, yet, just one powerplay goal. This guy has to pick things up, and soon. He is being paid out $7 million this season, his contract works out to be a $5.5 million cap hit, for the next 6 seasons! He will be 36 by the end of that contract! Yikes! Lowe left his mark on the team with that one.... Now trading Horcoff would be one of the best routes for the Oilers to take. Especially this year. With Gagner, Cogliano, Brule, Stone, Grebeshkov, and Deslauiers all becoming RFA's at seasons end, the Oilers will need some money to play with. Pisani's, Strudwicks, and Comrie's contracts will all come off the board as well. Trading Horcoff would free up that $5.5 million to tie down the Oilers young talent.
Here are a few more interesting stats on the Oilers right now:
Oilers are 18th in NHL in GF/G with 2.76, ahead of teams such as: BUF, NJD, TOR, MON, BOS
however, they are 23rd in GA/G with 3
The Oilers have the 11th best Powerplay in the league at 22.1%
Their PK is 24th, at 77.6% (something to improve on)
The Oilers are the 3rd worst team in the league for SF/G, with 26.7, ahead of Colorado and Calgary!
However their SA/G, is only the 5th worst at 33.2, with NYI, ANA, FLA, and ATL below them.
And the most hurtful fact: The Oilers are 29th in the league on Faceoffs with a team 46.1%, only better then the Avalanche.... not good....Horcoff.....
Now here is why the first goal is so ever important: When the Oilers score first, they are 7-2-2, when they don't score first they are 1-8-1. WOW! Pretty much know how the game is gonna go by the first goal....
Anyways, that's all for this Monday night, enjoy the rest of the week, and Go Oilers Go
-Sporer
p.s. Hemsky is on pace for 21 goals and 83 points, Penner for 46 goals and 89 points....
So, enough of all the fun and happy stuff, lets get down to business. So the Oilers ended their 5 game road trip with just 4 out of a possible 10 points...that's not all that fantastic. They were however 2 goals away from ending with 7 out of 10 points. However, that's clearly the past.... Looking to the future (the Oilers next 10 games), here is what the schedule looks like:
Nov 18: Colorado
Nov 21: Chicago
Nov 23: Phoenix
Nov 25: LA
Nov 27: San Jose
Nov 28: @Vancouver
Dec 3: @ Detroit
Dec 5: @ Dallas
Dec 7: @ Florida
Dec 9: @ Tampa Bay
So a 5 game homestand and then a 7 game road-trip (2 games un shown). So seeing as how their home record sits at 6-3-1, and their road record at 2-7-2, lets say they go 3-1-1 at home, then 1-3-1 on the road. That's 10 points out of a possible 20... based on their current record. Not good. So here is hoping that they can put their record behind them, and put some wins on the board... Winning 4 out of 5 at home would be a good start. Now, lets consider this seasons meeting with these teams. Colorado: Shut out the Oilers in game #1, 3-0, Oilers win 5-3 in Denver in game #2. That leaves this game right up in the air, however Colorado's recent
performances point to an Oilers home win. Chicago: The hawks beat the Oilers in Edmonton in the only meeting of the year 4-3, and Chicago is playing pretty good right now.... Phoenix: The Oilers haven't played the "Yotes" yet this season, but considering they usually own the desert dogs, put down a win for the OIL. The next two teams the Oilers haven't played yet either (San Jose, LA) and Ryan Smyth coming back to town playing so well lately isn't good, and Dany Heatley's arrival for the first time since the summers bull-shit, will spell another exciting night....Now to the road, Vancouver: the last time the Oil entered GM place, they got shutout 2-0. So going back will hopefully be a better outcome. Dallas: Oilers beat the Stars, end of story. Florida/Tampa Bay: doing the Florida trip is hard on teams, but the Oilers are one that usually do well, so here is hoping that they can keep that up.
So all in all, there is a lot hanging on these next 10 games. The Oilers sit in 12th, only 3 points out of a playoff spot, even though they have been brutal lately. So putting together a string on wins now, would be huge. They could easily put this horrible road-trip, and last 10 games behind them and never look back. There are shining lights in the Oilers lineup: Hemsky has 19 points, Penner has 23, Visnovsky has 13... Then the "not -so shining" lights: Horcoff 7 points and -6, Souray 5GP 2 points. Souray has been hurt, which in turn, hurts the Oilers.
A little more on Horcoff: his faceoff % sits at 50%. That number doesn't even give him the
argument that he brings that intangible to the team. His stats suck, and he has been in and out of the lineup lately. He is the Oilers leading forward for time on ice per game. Yet, just 7 points. He is normally on the #1 powerplay, yet, just one powerplay goal. This guy has to pick things up, and soon. He is being paid out $7 million this season, his contract works out to be a $5.5 million cap hit, for the next 6 seasons! He will be 36 by the end of that contract! Yikes! Lowe left his mark on the team with that one.... Now trading Horcoff would be one of the best routes for the Oilers to take. Especially this year. With Gagner, Cogliano, Brule, Stone, Grebeshkov, and Deslauiers all becoming RFA's at seasons end, the Oilers will need some money to play with. Pisani's, Strudwicks, and Comrie's contracts will all come off the board as well. Trading Horcoff would free up that $5.5 million to tie down the Oilers young talent.
Here are a few more interesting stats on the Oilers right now:
Oilers are 18th in NHL in GF/G with 2.76, ahead of teams such as: BUF, NJD, TOR, MON, BOS
however, they are 23rd in GA/G with 3
The Oilers have the 11th best Powerplay in the league at 22.1%
Their PK is 24th, at 77.6% (something to improve on)
The Oilers are the 3rd worst team in the league for SF/G, with 26.7, ahead of Colorado and Calgary!
However their SA/G, is only the 5th worst at 33.2, with NYI, ANA, FLA, and ATL below them.
And the most hurtful fact: The Oilers are 29th in the league on Faceoffs with a team 46.1%, only better then the Avalanche.... not good....Horcoff.....
Now here is why the first goal is so ever important: When the Oilers score first, they are 7-2-2, when they don't score first they are 1-8-1. WOW! Pretty much know how the game is gonna go by the first goal....
Anyways, that's all for this Monday night, enjoy the rest of the week, and Go Oilers Go
-Sporer
p.s. Hemsky is on pace for 21 goals and 83 points, Penner for 46 goals and 89 points....
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Name Game
So at work we have an ongoing competition to see who can name the most outrageous, or just the most in general NHL players, may it be anyone from the great Wayne Gretzky to no name players such as Frans Nielson (sorry bud). So I thought that for my next blog post I would give the A-Z all time best names list. Going with last names, Illl give you some of the best names to ever show up in an NHL program or grace the sheets of NHL ice. Trust me, you will want to look up some of these players stats after this, because ya never know...
A) Alexander Andrijevski HM)Thommy Abrahamsson
B) Jason Bacashihua HM) Dustin Byfuglien
C) Mariusz Czerkawski HM) Dino Ciccarelli
D) Hnat Domenichelli HM) Wade Dubielewicz
E) Phil Esposito HM) Nils Ekman
F) Lou Francheschetti HM) Pat Falloon
G) Bernie Geoffrion HM) Brent Gretzky
H) Kari Haakana HM) Nicklas Hjalmarsson
I) Al Iafrate HM) Ralph Intronouvo
J) Pat Jablonski HM) Jaromir Jagr
K) Alexei Kaigorodov HM) Darius Kasparaitis
L) Jamie Langenbrunner HM) Guillaume Latendresse
M) Glen Metropolit HM) Kent Manderville
N) Evgeny Namestnikov HM) Antero Niitymaki
O) Roman Oksiuta HM) Selmar Odelein
P) Alexei Ponikarovsky HM) Konstantin Pushkarev
Q) Bill Quackenbush HM) Stephane Quintal
R) Branko Radivojevic HM) Reijo Ruotsalainen
S) Jaroslav Svejkovsky HM) Fred Sasakamoose
T) Rick Tabaracci HM) Oleg Tverdovsky
U) Igor Ulanov HM) R.J. Umberger
V) John Vanbiesbrouck HM) Vladimir Vorobiev
W) Matthias Weinhandl HM) Andy Wozniewski
X) NO NHL PLAYERS
Y) Jeremy Yablonski HM) Dimitri Yuskevich
Z) Zarley Zalapski HM) Valeri Zelepukin
Well folks, if that doesnt brighten up your day, i dont know what will.
So I need to address the Edmonton Oilers recent performance. As a few of my fellow employee's
and friends, and family, and well, just about everyone, is letting me know, the Oilers have absolutley, positively SUCKED out loud. Dating back to October 24th in Calgary, is where the Oilers began their current slump. They had come off such an emotional defeat of the Columbus Blue Jackets two nights before, and then they go into Cow Town and get blown out 5-2. Lucky for them they have to go to GM place the very next night and Luongo puts up the wall and the 'Nucks win 2-0. Mark that, its shutout #1. Then the ever so lucky Oilers came home to play the Western Conference leading Colorado Avalanche, and get owned by Craig Andersson for shutout #2. Then the Oilers beat up on the Red Wings for the 1st period of their next game, leading 4-0 after a minute into the 2nd period. However, the Oilers then let the Red Wings be the Red Wings and come all the way back, luckily for the Oilers they got away lucky with a shootout win. Then the Oilers hit the Eastern seaboard with another shutout loss in Boston (#3), and a poorly played 3-1 loss to the oh so great Islanders. So if you have been paying attention, the Oilers have been shut out in 3 of their last 5 games. They have managed to only score 6 goals in those 5 games (5 of them against Detroit).
So yes the boys have had some trouble scoring. However, the Oilers are victim to a few
unfortunate circumstances since the end of October. For one, the whole team has suffered the flu bug. Mike Comrie, Ladislav Smid, Lubomir Visnovsky, Gilbert Brule, Denis Grebeshkov, and who knows who else has suffered from the flu and continued to play thru. Smid is the only one who actually was diagnosed with H1N1. Sheldon Souray and Steve Staios have been out with cuncussions. Ryan Stone has a busted knee. Shawn Horcoff is now out with a shoulder injury, and Fernando Pisani just now has returned to the lineup. So the hockey gods havent been to nice to the Edmonton Oilers as of late, and it shows. Here is hoping that a slightly healthier lineup can bring home a win against the Rangers tomorrow night.
A) Alexander Andrijevski HM)Thommy Abrahamsson
B) Jason Bacashihua HM) Dustin Byfuglien
C) Mariusz Czerkawski HM) Dino Ciccarelli
D) Hnat Domenichelli HM) Wade Dubielewicz
E) Phil Esposito HM) Nils Ekman
F) Lou Francheschetti HM) Pat Falloon
G) Bernie Geoffrion HM) Brent Gretzky
H) Kari Haakana HM) Nicklas Hjalmarsson
I) Al Iafrate HM) Ralph Intronouvo
J) Pat Jablonski HM) Jaromir Jagr
K) Alexei Kaigorodov HM) Darius Kasparaitis
L) Jamie Langenbrunner HM) Guillaume Latendresse
M) Glen Metropolit HM) Kent Manderville
N) Evgeny Namestnikov HM) Antero Niitymaki
O) Roman Oksiuta HM) Selmar Odelein
P) Alexei Ponikarovsky HM) Konstantin Pushkarev
Q) Bill Quackenbush HM) Stephane Quintal
R) Branko Radivojevic HM) Reijo Ruotsalainen
S) Jaroslav Svejkovsky HM) Fred Sasakamoose
T) Rick Tabaracci HM) Oleg Tverdovsky
U) Igor Ulanov HM) R.J. Umberger
V) John Vanbiesbrouck HM) Vladimir Vorobiev
W) Matthias Weinhandl HM) Andy Wozniewski
X) NO NHL PLAYERS
Y) Jeremy Yablonski HM) Dimitri Yuskevich
Z) Zarley Zalapski HM) Valeri Zelepukin
Well folks, if that doesnt brighten up your day, i dont know what will.
So I need to address the Edmonton Oilers recent performance. As a few of my fellow employee's
and friends, and family, and well, just about everyone, is letting me know, the Oilers have absolutley, positively SUCKED out loud. Dating back to October 24th in Calgary, is where the Oilers began their current slump. They had come off such an emotional defeat of the Columbus Blue Jackets two nights before, and then they go into Cow Town and get blown out 5-2. Lucky for them they have to go to GM place the very next night and Luongo puts up the wall and the 'Nucks win 2-0. Mark that, its shutout #1. Then the ever so lucky Oilers came home to play the Western Conference leading Colorado Avalanche, and get owned by Craig Andersson for shutout #2. Then the Oilers beat up on the Red Wings for the 1st period of their next game, leading 4-0 after a minute into the 2nd period. However, the Oilers then let the Red Wings be the Red Wings and come all the way back, luckily for the Oilers they got away lucky with a shootout win. Then the Oilers hit the Eastern seaboard with another shutout loss in Boston (#3), and a poorly played 3-1 loss to the oh so great Islanders. So if you have been paying attention, the Oilers have been shut out in 3 of their last 5 games. They have managed to only score 6 goals in those 5 games (5 of them against Detroit).So yes the boys have had some trouble scoring. However, the Oilers are victim to a few
unfortunate circumstances since the end of October. For one, the whole team has suffered the flu bug. Mike Comrie, Ladislav Smid, Lubomir Visnovsky, Gilbert Brule, Denis Grebeshkov, and who knows who else has suffered from the flu and continued to play thru. Smid is the only one who actually was diagnosed with H1N1. Sheldon Souray and Steve Staios have been out with cuncussions. Ryan Stone has a busted knee. Shawn Horcoff is now out with a shoulder injury, and Fernando Pisani just now has returned to the lineup. So the hockey gods havent been to nice to the Edmonton Oilers as of late, and it shows. Here is hoping that a slightly healthier lineup can bring home a win against the Rangers tomorrow night.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saturday night, not all right
What a day, work was busy today. Though I did have one special customer today. A special group of three. To start off, I welcomed a young man and his mother to the store and noted they were looking at sticks. The son, let me know that he was looking for a new stick, as his old one he didn't like at all, a Reebok 8k, with a Datsyuk curve. Okay great, so "whats wrong with it?" was my simple question. He told me that he hated the curve and wanted something a little more calm. Great so right away I informed him on the curves that each stick company provided for what he was looking for, showing him an example in a Easton SE16 Zetterberg curve. He likes it. Alright so next I stay away from Reebok, and show him the new Bauer Vapor X60 in the Malkin curve, then the Easton S19 in another Zetterberg curve, along with a Warrior Dolomite Savard. I tell him he should try them all out and see which one he likes. This is when the retardation begins. He tells me that he is waiting for his brother, because he knows sticks really well. Oh really, does he want my job?! Anyways, whatever I wait for the oh so knowledgeable brother to arrive.
Brother shows up. First thing he tells his brother, who doesnt seem to swift either, "try a Reebok 8k, in a Spezza curve!". Okay so if you don't know, a Spezza curve, has a pretty big heel to it, while a Datsyuk is a pretty "big" simple curve, and a Zetterberg is a calm almost nothing to it, curve. So since the "salesman" brother seems to be doing just fine, I decide ill walk away for a bit and let them choose some sticks.
I come back to this intelligent group and what does the young man have ready to try out in the RapidShot? He has a Reebok 8k Spezza curve of course, and a Bauer Vapor x20, which is way down the line from a X60, and he also has a Malkin curve Bauer Supreme One85, along with the same stick in a Gagne curve. So the only stick in there I suggested, the ONE85. So I get him in the RapidShot, and he is shooting all over the place, pucks are flying way over the target and way wide, with every stick, except the Malkin ONE85. He gets out of the RapidShot and I kindly let his mother know that he clearly did the best with the Malkin ONE85. Big brother throws in his two cents "man you got the best power out of the 8k!". Wonderful. I walk away at this point, because I couldn't handle it any more.
10 minutes later I walk by and he is now trying out a Supreme ONE75, Vapor X50, and SE16, all in Malkin/Zetterberg curves. Hmmm..... anyways the story ends with the kid buying a ONE75 Malkin because it was cheaper then the ONE85. Wow, gotta love some people.
So the Oilers turned in a pretty poor performance again this morning, another shutout loss.
That's 3 out of the last 4 games being shutout. Goalies love playing the Oilers lately. They have scored just 5 goals in their last 4 games. I don't know you plan on winning with that kind of scoring. They played decently, but still, a shutout loss. It speaks for itself. Its crazy to think that even though the Oilers are 7-6-1, Dustin Penner still sits in a tie for 3rd in league scoring with 19 points. Penner finished last season with only 17 goals and 37 points. I think he is going to destroy that. Mike Comrie, Sheldon Souray, Ryan Stone, and Steve Staios are all still out. The biggest surprise of the day, Fernando Pisani is back in the Oilers lineup. That's a huge plus for such a young roster. Well, looks like we have to wait til Monday to see if the Oilers can start putting a few more "W's" together.
-Sporer
Brother shows up. First thing he tells his brother, who doesnt seem to swift either, "try a Reebok 8k, in a Spezza curve!". Okay so if you don't know, a Spezza curve, has a pretty big heel to it, while a Datsyuk is a pretty "big" simple curve, and a Zetterberg is a calm almost nothing to it, curve. So since the "salesman" brother seems to be doing just fine, I decide ill walk away for a bit and let them choose some sticks.
I come back to this intelligent group and what does the young man have ready to try out in the RapidShot? He has a Reebok 8k Spezza curve of course, and a Bauer Vapor x20, which is way down the line from a X60, and he also has a Malkin curve Bauer Supreme One85, along with the same stick in a Gagne curve. So the only stick in there I suggested, the ONE85. So I get him in the RapidShot, and he is shooting all over the place, pucks are flying way over the target and way wide, with every stick, except the Malkin ONE85. He gets out of the RapidShot and I kindly let his mother know that he clearly did the best with the Malkin ONE85. Big brother throws in his two cents "man you got the best power out of the 8k!". Wonderful. I walk away at this point, because I couldn't handle it any more.10 minutes later I walk by and he is now trying out a Supreme ONE75, Vapor X50, and SE16, all in Malkin/Zetterberg curves. Hmmm..... anyways the story ends with the kid buying a ONE75 Malkin because it was cheaper then the ONE85. Wow, gotta love some people.
So the Oilers turned in a pretty poor performance again this morning, another shutout loss.
That's 3 out of the last 4 games being shutout. Goalies love playing the Oilers lately. They have scored just 5 goals in their last 4 games. I don't know you plan on winning with that kind of scoring. They played decently, but still, a shutout loss. It speaks for itself. Its crazy to think that even though the Oilers are 7-6-1, Dustin Penner still sits in a tie for 3rd in league scoring with 19 points. Penner finished last season with only 17 goals and 37 points. I think he is going to destroy that. Mike Comrie, Sheldon Souray, Ryan Stone, and Steve Staios are all still out. The biggest surprise of the day, Fernando Pisani is back in the Oilers lineup. That's a huge plus for such a young roster. Well, looks like we have to wait til Monday to see if the Oilers can start putting a few more "W's" together.-Sporer
Thursday, October 22, 2009
PENNNEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
So just wanted to let everyone know that Dustin Penner circa.2006-2007 is back, except in Oilers silks. $4.25 million this year might not be so bad. Not only that, but he has 7 goals in just 9 games. 14 points! Thats good for 3rd in the league!! He is on pace for 64 Goals and 128 Points!! Imagine!!
Also, look out Shawn Horcoff as I think you may have been replaced. Gagner had a goal and two assists playing between Penner and Hemsky tonight. He also went 7 for 9 in the faceoff dot! Later Horcs, youve been replaced.
Bobby Nilsson gets both the hit of the night when he layed out Filatov, and the shittiest goal of the night with that swipe and dribble move.
Anyways thats it for the night.
-Sporer
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
A loooooooonnnnngggggg time coming.
So yes it has been a long, long, long, long, time since my last blog post. Sorry ladies, but im back, and boy have I got some catching up to do. Its kinda nice because it means I have so much more to write on. Anyways, we will get going with the shitshow that will be this post...
So as my fellow blogger Smith has been going about his business bashing the Oilers without me around to back them up, now I am back with some ammunition. Not only are the Oilers 5-2-1, which at this time last year they were 4-3-1, so yes not far off, but they have'nt lost any more then one game in a row so far. Not only that, but Dustin Penner sits 18th in NHL scoring with 5 goals and 4 Apples, which at this time last season he had a measily 2 goals. O'Sullivan (my favorite Oiler by far) and Gilbert Brule (a very nice surprise for Edmonton) sit second with 7 points apiece, and the Oilers other nice surprise Mike Comrie (Hilary Duff, nuff said) has 6 points. I have noticed a major change in the way the Oilers play. Pat Quinn's mark is already there. Want to see depth, check out this lineup: Nikolai Khabibulin
Jeff Deslauriers
So as far as skill this team was drafted to be an all star cast: 9 1st round picks, and 6 2nd round picks, thats 15 of your starting 23 man roster taken in the first two rounds. The deepest picked player on the team? Nikolai Khabiboulin, taken in the 9th round. Argue all you want but minus Ryan Stone (who does bring his hard hitting play), every player on that roster brings something important to the team, and everyone, even Stortini (see two goals against Nashville), is capable of scoring. Anyways, the Oilers sit in a 4 way tie for 2nd in the west (with Chicago, San Jose, and Calgary, good company I know).
How about those Leafs! Yes they have not won a game yet! Thats right, all those promises, all the hope, all the hard work by Brian Burke, and 0-6-1. Yup, thats 1 measily point. BRUTAL! They have Nazem Kadri and Tyler Bozak ripping it up in the pre season and they get send down both. Serves them right, not only that, but that defense that was supposed to be oh so good, BLOWS. Its wayyy to damn slow, and their number one defense, Vesa Toskala, blows the big one, calling him a "siv" would be nice. The "Monster" is hurt, and Joey Mcdonald is showing exactly why he is the 3rd stringer. Oh but wait til Phil Kessel comes back from injury. Ya right, like one 22 year old is gonna change things that much. Not only that but the guy maxed out at 36 goals, 60 points last year, and he was playing with one of the best set-up men in the NHL Marc Savard. Even the Islanders havent won a game and yet havc more points (3) then the leafs. So what hope do the Maple Leafs have? You tell me...
Smith says that Columbus has the three most explosive right winger in the league? What about when Hossa comes back for Chicago? Thats Hossa, Kane, Sharp, ya, nothin comparable to that anywhere. Top line in the league Perry, Getzlaf, Ryan? How about Williams, Smyth and Kopitar? Roy, Pominville, Vanek? Gionta, Cammalleri, Gomez? Prospal, Dubinsky, Gaborik? Gagne, Richards, Briere? THE BEST NO.1 line in the NHL: Ovechkin, Backstrom, Knuble. Hands down.
Now the NHL season has had a very interesting start, with Colorado, Phoenix, Columbus, and
LA, all having great starts to their seasons. Each of these teams has added some players that are making their marks, and presence felt. In Colorado, Craig Anderson is becoming an absolute stud in net. In Phoenix Adrian Aucoin, Radim Vrbata, and Robert Lang are helping to prove that there is some good hockey in the desert. Columbus' young guns are coming through, starting in net where Chris Mason has resumed his awesome goaltending from last season. Justin Williams, Ryan Smyth and Anze Kopitar have formed some huge chemsitry in LA, leading their team to success.
Now some other teams, such as Montreal, Minnesota, Vancouver, and Tampa Bay, are finding themselves on the other side of such success. In Montreal, Habs fans are quickly finding out how small that first line of theirs is. Minny had their first pre season physical evaluation this year, yes thats right, their first. Yikes. Vancouver added Mikael Samuelson, thats all, he is doing well, but they have lost a couple players to injury and Luongo hasnt been playing up to his star calibre. Tampa Bay hasnt much changed their standing from last year, even adding the likes of Alex Tanguay, Victor Hedman, and Mattias Ohlund.
If the playoffs started today (crazy being noone has even played 10 games yet), here are your first round matchups:
WEST
1. Colorado vs. 8. Los Angeles
2. Chicago vs. 7. Phoenix
3. San Jose vs. 6. Columbus
4. Calgary vs. 5. Edmonton
So Colorado, LA would bring a pretty high tempo battle of two teams with no big name goaltenders. Chicago, Phoenix would be a fight to the finish of two of the NHL`s best young talents. Columbus would have high hopes going into the playoffs playing the NHL`s best playoff choke artists in the Sharks. The Battle of Alberta would finally have its wish with a high intensity first round playoff battle.
EAST
1. Pittsburgh vs. 8. Philadelphia
2. Ottawa vs. 7. New Jersey
3. Washington vs. 6. Atlanta
4. New York Rangers vs. 5. Buffalo
Battle of Alberta? Try Battle of Pennsylvania! Pens and Flyers duke it out for Penn state bragging rights. Meanwhile the Senators try to reignite passion in the nations capital, but they will have to get the puck past the NHL's best goalie in Brodeur. Ovechkin vs. Kovalchuk, a massive Russian star matchup. Talking about state battles, how about the battle of New York, the Sabres will try to beat the Rags.
K so yes that was a little early, but its always fun to look and wonder.
Here is your outlook for the week ahead:
Marc Savard has gone down with a broken foot, leaving the Bruins without him, Lucic, the
recently traded Kobasew, but now with Dan Paille. Good luck.
The Penguins take a big blow, losing Sergei Gonchar to a broken hand for over a month.
We will see if the Vancouver Cunucks can actually get in the win column as they take on the Hawks tonight.
Biggest matchup of the week:
Phoenix will host Detroit, lets see if the yotes are the real deal, or how badly the Red Wings suck.
-Sporer
So as my fellow blogger Smith has been going about his business bashing the Oilers without me around to back them up, now I am back with some ammunition. Not only are the Oilers 5-2-1, which at this time last year they were 4-3-1, so yes not far off, but they have'nt lost any more then one game in a row so far. Not only that, but Dustin Penner sits 18th in NHL scoring with 5 goals and 4 Apples, which at this time last season he had a measily 2 goals. O'Sullivan (my favorite Oiler by far) and Gilbert Brule (a very nice surprise for Edmonton) sit second with 7 points apiece, and the Oilers other nice surprise Mike Comrie (Hilary Duff, nuff said) has 6 points. I have noticed a major change in the way the Oilers play. Pat Quinn's mark is already there. Want to see depth, check out this lineup: Nikolai Khabibulin
Jeff Deslauriers
| Defensemen | |
| Lubomir Visnovsky Tom Gilbert Steve Staios Jason Strudwick | Sheldon Souray Ladislav Smid Denis Grebeshkov Taylor Chorney |
So as far as skill this team was drafted to be an all star cast: 9 1st round picks, and 6 2nd round picks, thats 15 of your starting 23 man roster taken in the first two rounds. The deepest picked player on the team? Nikolai Khabiboulin, taken in the 9th round. Argue all you want but minus Ryan Stone (who does bring his hard hitting play), every player on that roster brings something important to the team, and everyone, even Stortini (see two goals against Nashville), is capable of scoring. Anyways, the Oilers sit in a 4 way tie for 2nd in the west (with Chicago, San Jose, and Calgary, good company I know).
How about those Leafs! Yes they have not won a game yet! Thats right, all those promises, all the hope, all the hard work by Brian Burke, and 0-6-1. Yup, thats 1 measily point. BRUTAL! They have Nazem Kadri and Tyler Bozak ripping it up in the pre season and they get send down both. Serves them right, not only that, but that defense that was supposed to be oh so good, BLOWS. Its wayyy to damn slow, and their number one defense, Vesa Toskala, blows the big one, calling him a "siv" would be nice. The "Monster" is hurt, and Joey Mcdonald is showing exactly why he is the 3rd stringer. Oh but wait til Phil Kessel comes back from injury. Ya right, like one 22 year old is gonna change things that much. Not only that but the guy maxed out at 36 goals, 60 points last year, and he was playing with one of the best set-up men in the NHL Marc Savard. Even the Islanders havent won a game and yet havc more points (3) then the leafs. So what hope do the Maple Leafs have? You tell me...
Smith says that Columbus has the three most explosive right winger in the league? What about when Hossa comes back for Chicago? Thats Hossa, Kane, Sharp, ya, nothin comparable to that anywhere. Top line in the league Perry, Getzlaf, Ryan? How about Williams, Smyth and Kopitar? Roy, Pominville, Vanek? Gionta, Cammalleri, Gomez? Prospal, Dubinsky, Gaborik? Gagne, Richards, Briere? THE BEST NO.1 line in the NHL: Ovechkin, Backstrom, Knuble. Hands down.
Now the NHL season has had a very interesting start, with Colorado, Phoenix, Columbus, and
LA, all having great starts to their seasons. Each of these teams has added some players that are making their marks, and presence felt. In Colorado, Craig Anderson is becoming an absolute stud in net. In Phoenix Adrian Aucoin, Radim Vrbata, and Robert Lang are helping to prove that there is some good hockey in the desert. Columbus' young guns are coming through, starting in net where Chris Mason has resumed his awesome goaltending from last season. Justin Williams, Ryan Smyth and Anze Kopitar have formed some huge chemsitry in LA, leading their team to success.Now some other teams, such as Montreal, Minnesota, Vancouver, and Tampa Bay, are finding themselves on the other side of such success. In Montreal, Habs fans are quickly finding out how small that first line of theirs is. Minny had their first pre season physical evaluation this year, yes thats right, their first. Yikes. Vancouver added Mikael Samuelson, thats all, he is doing well, but they have lost a couple players to injury and Luongo hasnt been playing up to his star calibre. Tampa Bay hasnt much changed their standing from last year, even adding the likes of Alex Tanguay, Victor Hedman, and Mattias Ohlund.
If the playoffs started today (crazy being noone has even played 10 games yet), here are your first round matchups:
WEST
1. Colorado vs. 8. Los Angeles
2. Chicago vs. 7. Phoenix
3. San Jose vs. 6. Columbus
4. Calgary vs. 5. Edmonton
So Colorado, LA would bring a pretty high tempo battle of two teams with no big name goaltenders. Chicago, Phoenix would be a fight to the finish of two of the NHL`s best young talents. Columbus would have high hopes going into the playoffs playing the NHL`s best playoff choke artists in the Sharks. The Battle of Alberta would finally have its wish with a high intensity first round playoff battle.
EAST
1. Pittsburgh vs. 8. Philadelphia
2. Ottawa vs. 7. New Jersey
3. Washington vs. 6. Atlanta
4. New York Rangers vs. 5. Buffalo
Battle of Alberta? Try Battle of Pennsylvania! Pens and Flyers duke it out for Penn state bragging rights. Meanwhile the Senators try to reignite passion in the nations capital, but they will have to get the puck past the NHL's best goalie in Brodeur. Ovechkin vs. Kovalchuk, a massive Russian star matchup. Talking about state battles, how about the battle of New York, the Sabres will try to beat the Rags.
K so yes that was a little early, but its always fun to look and wonder.
Here is your outlook for the week ahead:
Marc Savard has gone down with a broken foot, leaving the Bruins without him, Lucic, the
recently traded Kobasew, but now with Dan Paille. Good luck.The Penguins take a big blow, losing Sergei Gonchar to a broken hand for over a month.
We will see if the Vancouver Cunucks can actually get in the win column as they take on the Hawks tonight.
Biggest matchup of the week:
Phoenix will host Detroit, lets see if the yotes are the real deal, or how badly the Red Wings suck.
-Sporer
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Monday Morning Recap - Sunday Evening Version
I don't really need a flashy statement here, but it's just nice to say Thank You to whomever is 'GagnerNation' and knocking Sporer out of first place. Maybe now he won't hang it over my head every chance he gets.
1 a - Daily Oiler Bashing - Well, looks like some things never change: can't score, always getting outshot, 8th spot in the conference and still can't beat their hatred rivals. On the bright side, I do give props to Deslauriers performance against Nashville. Lets just hope they can beat the basement dwelling Wild tonight, oh wait, they never beat Minni... Nevermind...
1 b - Seriously, Colorado in 1st place? Detroit in 11th? San Jose in 10th? Phoenix in 3rd? It really is the wild wild West.
1 c - Life is pretty normal out East: NYR, Washington, Pittsburgh, Phili, NJD are all in the playoffs... Boston in 11th though? Maybe Kessel meant a little more then people think...
1 d - There are only 5 undeafted teams at home: NYR (4-0-0), Colorado (2-0-0), Columbus (2-
0-0), Minnisota (1-0-0) & Atlanta (1-0-0).
1 e - There are only 5 winless teams at home: Toronto (0-3-1), Florida (0-2-0), NJD (0-2-0), NYI (0-1-1) & Montreal (0-1-0)
2 a - Ovi is 1st, Backstrom is 3rd, Semin is 4th. Wow. How did I not end up with any of those players in my draft? Infact, how did I not end up with ANY Capitals?!
2 b - DUSTIN PENNER IS IN THE TOP 23 OF SCORING!!! OH MY GOSH!!! One more point and the Oilers will have someone in the top 20 for the first time since... since... since... (Sporer, fill in the blank, I can't think back that far)...
3 - Theo Fleury... What a guy... Raped as a teenager, and THIRTY YEARS LATER decides to do something about it... Are you kidding me??? What, is that you ace up your sleeve to save your dignity? Disgusting. Did his balls just drop at the age of 41?! It's guys like him that give victims a bad name...
3 b - Fleury has no money... His side business went under... He had a gambling problem... He couldn't make the Flames' lineup... And now he releases a tell-all book?! Who does this guy think he is?! Does he have any more money making schems up his sleeve? Maybe a sex-video? And if his book doesn't sell, he can always fall back on his rape settlement. Give me a break. It's guys like this him that the NHL should distance themselves from. Nothing, but drama with this goon.
4 a - Quebec is proposing a new arena in hopes to lure back an NHL team. Calling Jim Balsillie...
4 b - I'm a fan of, not new teams, but relocating teams...
4 c - I'm also a fan of placing a team in an existing market in hopes of building up a rivalry (Quebec/Montreal), (Hamilton/Toronto/Ottawa)...
4 d - Yes, European expansion is a must in the near future. Plus, it would be neat!
5 - I'm so screwed in our pool... Royally... Hossa & Vanek are on the IR, Kovalev is having his down year, David Booth was a flash in the pants, Jonas Hillar isn't getting regular playing time and I don't have Malkin, Crosby, Ovechkin or any other Flyers, Red Wings, Penguins or Capitals... Thanks Sporer.
5 b - Anyone not named: Thornton, Heatley, Vanek or Alfredsson is trade bait on my team...
1 a - Colts: 5-0, Patriots: 3-2.
1 b - USC 50 - Notre Dame 3, they play tomorrow night... Charlie Weiss sucks for life. So does the horribley long list of Bill Belicheck's prodigees (Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, Weiss)...
2 a - American Dad is a fantastic show! Just hilarious.
2 b - I watched seasons 1-9 of the Ultimate Fighter. BJ Penn is awesome. Tito Ortiz is awesome, Ken Shamrock is a doucher.
2 c - Amir Sadollah is my hero.
3 a - I think in sports, it seems like there are some common themes. For instance, out of the four major sports leagues, there is at least ONE screwed, messed up, horribley run franchise that just makes you shake your head... Oakland Raiders, Washington Nationals, New York Islanders & New York Knicks.
3 b - I think in sports, it seems like there are some common themes. For instance, out of the four major sports leagues, there is at least ONE high-profile team that everyone love to hate... Dallas Cowboys/New England Patriots, New York Yankees, Toronto Maple Leafs & LA Lakers.
4 - WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN IS ON! 237 days!!! England has already qualified along with power-houses Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Brazil & Argentina.
4 b - You readers are going to watch every minute with me. The last time it was on, I missed 10 straight days of school and was hammered by 6am. Just a fantastic time of year! Canadian hockey pride has nothing on national soccer pride. Not even in the same class.
5 - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/272156-the-next-twenty-superstar-child-athletes-and-who-they-might-become#page/1
Just watch them.
Cheers.
-Smith
p.s. Stars for Life.
1 a - Daily Oiler Bashing - Well, looks like some things never change: can't score, always getting outshot, 8th spot in the conference and still can't beat their hatred rivals. On the bright side, I do give props to Deslauriers performance against Nashville. Lets just hope they can beat the basement dwelling Wild tonight, oh wait, they never beat Minni... Nevermind...
1 b - Seriously, Colorado in 1st place? Detroit in 11th? San Jose in 10th? Phoenix in 3rd? It really is the wild wild West.
1 c - Life is pretty normal out East: NYR, Washington, Pittsburgh, Phili, NJD are all in the playoffs... Boston in 11th though? Maybe Kessel meant a little more then people think...
1 d - There are only 5 undeafted teams at home: NYR (4-0-0), Colorado (2-0-0), Columbus (2-
0-0), Minnisota (1-0-0) & Atlanta (1-0-0).
1 e - There are only 5 winless teams at home: Toronto (0-3-1), Florida (0-2-0), NJD (0-2-0), NYI (0-1-1) & Montreal (0-1-0)
2 a - Ovi is 1st, Backstrom is 3rd, Semin is 4th. Wow. How did I not end up with any of those players in my draft? Infact, how did I not end up with ANY Capitals?!
2 b - DUSTIN PENNER IS IN THE TOP 23 OF SCORING!!! OH MY GOSH!!! One more point and the Oilers will have someone in the top 20 for the first time since... since... since... (Sporer, fill in the blank, I can't think back that far)...
3 - Theo Fleury... What a guy... Raped as a teenager, and THIRTY YEARS LATER decides to do something about it... Are you kidding me??? What, is that you ace up your sleeve to save your dignity? Disgusting. Did his balls just drop at the age of 41?! It's guys like him that give victims a bad name...
3 b - Fleury has no money... His side business went under... He had a gambling problem... He couldn't make the Flames' lineup... And now he releases a tell-all book?! Who does this guy think he is?! Does he have any more money making schems up his sleeve? Maybe a sex-video? And if his book doesn't sell, he can always fall back on his rape settlement. Give me a break. It's guys like this him that the NHL should distance themselves from. Nothing, but drama with this goon.
4 a - Quebec is proposing a new arena in hopes to lure back an NHL team. Calling Jim Balsillie...
4 b - I'm a fan of, not new teams, but relocating teams...
4 c - I'm also a fan of placing a team in an existing market in hopes of building up a rivalry (Quebec/Montreal), (Hamilton/Toronto/Ottawa)...
4 d - Yes, European expansion is a must in the near future. Plus, it would be neat!
5 - I'm so screwed in our pool... Royally... Hossa & Vanek are on the IR, Kovalev is having his down year, David Booth was a flash in the pants, Jonas Hillar isn't getting regular playing time and I don't have Malkin, Crosby, Ovechkin or any other Flyers, Red Wings, Penguins or Capitals... Thanks Sporer.
5 b - Anyone not named: Thornton, Heatley, Vanek or Alfredsson is trade bait on my team...
1 a - Colts: 5-0, Patriots: 3-2.
1 b - USC 50 - Notre Dame 3, they play tomorrow night... Charlie Weiss sucks for life. So does the horribley long list of Bill Belicheck's prodigees (Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, Weiss)...
2 a - American Dad is a fantastic show! Just hilarious.
2 b - I watched seasons 1-9 of the Ultimate Fighter. BJ Penn is awesome. Tito Ortiz is awesome, Ken Shamrock is a doucher.
2 c - Amir Sadollah is my hero.
3 a - I think in sports, it seems like there are some common themes. For instance, out of the four major sports leagues, there is at least ONE screwed, messed up, horribley run franchise that just makes you shake your head... Oakland Raiders, Washington Nationals, New York Islanders & New York Knicks.
3 b - I think in sports, it seems like there are some common themes. For instance, out of the four major sports leagues, there is at least ONE high-profile team that everyone love to hate... Dallas Cowboys/New England Patriots, New York Yankees, Toronto Maple Leafs & LA Lakers.
4 - WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN IS ON! 237 days!!! England has already qualified along with power-houses Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Brazil & Argentina.
4 b - You readers are going to watch every minute with me. The last time it was on, I missed 10 straight days of school and was hammered by 6am. Just a fantastic time of year! Canadian hockey pride has nothing on national soccer pride. Not even in the same class.
5 - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/272156-the-next-twenty-superstar-child-athletes-and-who-they-might-become#page/1
Just watch them.
Cheers.
-Smith
p.s. Stars for Life.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
NHL '10 Kick Off Blog
Readers, you can get off now, officially, get off my ass..
Draft:
Best - Hedman / TB... they lost their franchise Dman (Boyle) and have now solidified their backend to compliment Vinny, Marty and Stamkos.
Worst - Ellis / NSH... I know he was a steal at #11, but you already have Weber, Suter and Hamhuis...
Darkhorse - Schroeder / VAN... a guy who was pegged as a top 7 pick, slid to them at #22 and should be a nice running mate for Cody Hodgeson. 
Free Agents:
Best - Gionta, Cammalerri, Gomez / MON... they needed to 'rebiuld' and rebuild they did...
Worst - Sullivan / NSH... HUGE injury problems, is he really a 4M player?
Darkhorse - Knuble / WSH... Has had 30, 21, 26, 34, 24, 29, 27 goals over the last 7 years, none of those years included playing with Alex The Great.
East Conference:
Winner - PHI... Pronger puts them over the top, Boston is a close 2nd...
Worst - NYI... Not even Tavares, Biron & a pair of former Oilers (Schremp, Roloson) can pull them out of the basement...
Darkhorse - TOR... They have some studs on the blueline and a 30 game winner between the pipes, if they can find a way to score goals, they might just sneak into the playoffs...
West Conference:
Winner - SJ... I have Thornton & Heatley in my pool, and TSN picked them... All I can do is cross my fingers and pray... 
Worst - PHX... Too much drama... And Shane Doan sucks...
Darkhorse - LAK & DAL... TSN has them listed as #8 and #9... The Kings feature: Frolov, Kopitar, Smyth, Stoll, Brown, Moller, Doughty, J. Johnson, Hickey & Teubert... Dallas has a fresh Marty Turco.
2 a - Daily Oiler Bashing - The rich just keep getting richer. San Jose picks up Heatley, Philly lands Prongers, the 'Hawks got Hossa, Jay Bouw to the Flames. It's ridiculous. But boy, am I glad Edmonton came away the winner in the Mike Comrie sweepstakes!
2 b - The Bulin Wall will NOT be the answer for the Oilers... It's nice to see them finally get a true #1 goalie, but he's on the backside of his career and is in the conference that features: Nabokov, Kipper, Luongo, Backstrom, Mason...
3 - I really like what the Trashers did this offseason. Picking up scoring help for Kovi with Antropov, Afinogenov & Evander Kane. They also added Kubina on the back end to compliment young studs Tobias Enstrom and Zach Bogosian. And, for the umteenth time, watch out for Kari Lehtonen in goal. This COULD be the year he reaches his #2 overall selection potential...
4 - Could we see a shift in conference power? TSN has 6 East teams in the top ten (1. PIT, 2. BOS, 5. WSH, 7. CAR, 8. NJD, 9. PHI), but I have some serious problems with these rankings. How the hell can Edmonton be ranked higher the Calgary? How is Pittsburgh #1? How are the Sens so low a 24? And is Boston still really #2 after losing Kessel and is TO still only 25 after gaining Kessel?
5 - Florida is seen as an udnerdog to make the playoffs, but I don't even think they challenge for a spot. There just isnt enough depth up front or on the blue line... Booth, Weiss, Horton, Frolik, Ballard, McCabe and... That's it. Who are the other 12 players on the ice?
6 - Of those top 10 teams on TSN rankings, I took a look at teams ranked 10 - 6 and wow. I was blown away at the depth these teams have... All of them can role 3 solid line and have 4 legitimate top 4 Dmen, and all posses a goalie who can steal games on a consistent basis (sans Huet).
6 b - It pains me to say it, but Vancouver's depth is unmatched. Just look at their roster. Basically, every player is a 'name' player. Its ridiculous. Jealousy runs through my veins. 
7 a - I think Columbus has the most exciting / explosive, top 3 RWs in the game: Nash, Filatov & Voracek. 
7 b - I think Anaheim might have the most explosive top line in the NHL: Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf & Corey Perry. All three of those guys can top 30 goals and 80 points. 
7 c - I think St. Louis has the most under-rated players in their lineup: McDonald, Boyes, Perron, Berglund, Oshie & Backes.
7 d - I wonder how Minnesota will look with a new coach and a new system. I think Brent Burns might lead the NHL Dmen in scoring because he will be able to rush the puck and push the pace knownig Nik Backstrom is stauing behind him, with a new contract.
8 a - I really wanted to have Buffalo in the top tier of teams, but their Defence reads: Lydman, Tallinder, Rivet, Sekera, Butler and Montador...
8 b - Speaking of Buffalo got me thinking about their entire division... Which brings me to Montreal. Lots of skill, speed and scoring, but just not enough grit and toughness to compete with Boston & and re-vamped Toronto.
9 - Jordin Tootoo can suck it.
9 b - Brian Burke is a genius.
10 - Should we pick a champion? Detroit has some unfinished business, but again, the goaltending... Boston looks hungry, but can they replace Kessel? San Jose is even more dangerous with Heatley now, but we know their track record... Washington will lead the league in goals, but can they stop them... I think I'm going with... Dallas. For life.
Cheers.
-Steve
Draft:
Best - Hedman / TB... they lost their franchise Dman (Boyle) and have now solidified their backend to compliment Vinny, Marty and Stamkos.
Worst - Ellis / NSH... I know he was a steal at #11, but you already have Weber, Suter and Hamhuis...
Darkhorse - Schroeder / VAN... a guy who was pegged as a top 7 pick, slid to them at #22 and should be a nice running mate for Cody Hodgeson.
Free Agents:Best - Gionta, Cammalerri, Gomez / MON... they needed to 'rebiuld' and rebuild they did...
Worst - Sullivan / NSH... HUGE injury problems, is he really a 4M player?
Darkhorse - Knuble / WSH... Has had 30, 21, 26, 34, 24, 29, 27 goals over the last 7 years, none of those years included playing with Alex The Great.
East Conference:Winner - PHI... Pronger puts them over the top, Boston is a close 2nd...
Worst - NYI... Not even Tavares, Biron & a pair of former Oilers (Schremp, Roloson) can pull them out of the basement...
Darkhorse - TOR... They have some studs on the blueline and a 30 game winner between the pipes, if they can find a way to score goals, they might just sneak into the playoffs...
West Conference:
Winner - SJ... I have Thornton & Heatley in my pool, and TSN picked them... All I can do is cross my fingers and pray...
Worst - PHX... Too much drama... And Shane Doan sucks...Darkhorse - LAK & DAL... TSN has them listed as #8 and #9... The Kings feature: Frolov, Kopitar, Smyth, Stoll, Brown, Moller, Doughty, J. Johnson, Hickey & Teubert... Dallas has a fresh Marty Turco.
2 a - Daily Oiler Bashing - The rich just keep getting richer. San Jose picks up Heatley, Philly lands Prongers, the 'Hawks got Hossa, Jay Bouw to the Flames. It's ridiculous. But boy, am I glad Edmonton came away the winner in the Mike Comrie sweepstakes!
2 b - The Bulin Wall will NOT be the answer for the Oilers... It's nice to see them finally get a true #1 goalie, but he's on the backside of his career and is in the conference that features: Nabokov, Kipper, Luongo, Backstrom, Mason...
3 - I really like what the Trashers did this offseason. Picking up scoring help for Kovi with Antropov, Afinogenov & Evander Kane. They also added Kubina on the back end to compliment young studs Tobias Enstrom and Zach Bogosian. And, for the umteenth time, watch out for Kari Lehtonen in goal. This COULD be the year he reaches his #2 overall selection potential...4 - Could we see a shift in conference power? TSN has 6 East teams in the top ten (1. PIT, 2. BOS, 5. WSH, 7. CAR, 8. NJD, 9. PHI), but I have some serious problems with these rankings. How the hell can Edmonton be ranked higher the Calgary? How is Pittsburgh #1? How are the Sens so low a 24? And is Boston still really #2 after losing Kessel and is TO still only 25 after gaining Kessel?
5 - Florida is seen as an udnerdog to make the playoffs, but I don't even think they challenge for a spot. There just isnt enough depth up front or on the blue line... Booth, Weiss, Horton, Frolik, Ballard, McCabe and... That's it. Who are the other 12 players on the ice?
6 - Of those top 10 teams on TSN rankings, I took a look at teams ranked 10 - 6 and wow. I was blown away at the depth these teams have... All of them can role 3 solid line and have 4 legitimate top 4 Dmen, and all posses a goalie who can steal games on a consistent basis (sans Huet).
6 b - It pains me to say it, but Vancouver's depth is unmatched. Just look at their roster. Basically, every player is a 'name' player. Its ridiculous. Jealousy runs through my veins.
7 a - I think Columbus has the most exciting / explosive, top 3 RWs in the game: Nash, Filatov & Voracek.
7 b - I think Anaheim might have the most explosive top line in the NHL: Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf & Corey Perry. All three of those guys can top 30 goals and 80 points.
7 c - I think St. Louis has the most under-rated players in their lineup: McDonald, Boyes, Perron, Berglund, Oshie & Backes.
7 d - I wonder how Minnesota will look with a new coach and a new system. I think Brent Burns might lead the NHL Dmen in scoring because he will be able to rush the puck and push the pace knownig Nik Backstrom is stauing behind him, with a new contract.
8 a - I really wanted to have Buffalo in the top tier of teams, but their Defence reads: Lydman, Tallinder, Rivet, Sekera, Butler and Montador...
8 b - Speaking of Buffalo got me thinking about their entire division... Which brings me to Montreal. Lots of skill, speed and scoring, but just not enough grit and toughness to compete with Boston & and re-vamped Toronto.
9 - Jordin Tootoo can suck it.
9 b - Brian Burke is a genius.
10 - Should we pick a champion? Detroit has some unfinished business, but again, the goaltending... Boston looks hungry, but can they replace Kessel? San Jose is even more dangerous with Heatley now, but we know their track record... Washington will lead the league in goals, but can they stop them... I think I'm going with... Dallas. For life.Cheers.
-Steve
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Hockeytown Beatdown
The title says it all. Yep. That’s exactly what Detroit’s 5-0 victory, on Saturday was. Actually, you know what; it was more then just a beat down. It was a: drag ‘em out, curb-stomping, gun in mouth, strip you down, dress you up in a little school girl’s outfit and send you off to class without a bag lunch. I won’t comment much on the defeat because MOST of us saw the game (my fellow co-writer was too busy playing dress up with his wife*, notice the asterix) and we all watched as Detroit piled on 3 PPGs, Fleury was pulled mid-way through the 2nd period, Datsyuk returned to provide 2 assists and the Red Wings improved to 11-1 at home in the playoffs; however, I would like to mention 3 points I have noticed…1 – Momentum means absolutely nothing in this series.
2 – Discipline means everything in this series.
3a – A 70% Datsyuk DOES make all the difference in the world.
3b – Do you need more of an example why I put Datsyuk ahead of Crosby?
One other note, the Red Wings got another break as Game 6 isn’t slated until Tuesday, giving Datsyuk an extra day to recover further. Also, if Game 7 is needed, it doesn’t go until Friday, giving players even MORE time to recover from lingering injuries.
Now, on to other news around the league…
I – The Avs hiring of Joe Sacco was a bit of a surprising one, given his lack of resume and experience, but plenty of good NHL
coaches have come from the AHL: Bruce Boudreaux and Dan Bylsma immediately come to mind. Sacco takes over a team with plenty of talent and youth: Smyth, Svatos, Stastny, Liles, Wolski, Hejduk and Sakic (if he returns); however, they do have cap issues and both Raycroft and Budaj remained unsigned.II – Ray Emery. ESPN is reporting that he will agree to term with the Flyers on a one-year deal for a ‘low salary’. This is not the same Ray Emery that self-destructed the last season; he underwent 8 weeks of behavioral training before shuffling off to the KHL, where he had impressive numbers. A 1-2 punch of Biron-Emery would greatly help the Flyers compete in a division that features Brodeur, Fleury and Lundqvist.
III – The list of names being thrown around, for the vacant Florida Panthers GM job, is a who’s-who of past NHL successes including: Doug MacLean, Neil Smith, Doug Risebrough, Rick Dudley and everyone’s favorite television ANALyst (yes, that was on purpose) Pierre Mcguire.IV – When even the NHLPA President says it is time to ‘pull the plug’ on Phoenix, then it’s probably time, Gary.
V - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jim_kelley/06/04/balsillie.coyotes.battle/index.html
Read the portion of this article about the character of Jim Ballsilie and the NHL’s shady past of owners… It’s just so ironic.
VI – Sports Illustrated counted down the top 10 ‘Tough, but Classy Players’… Here’s how they broke it down…1 – Bobby Orr
2 – Brendan Shanahan
3 – Mario Lemieux
4 – Steve Yzerman
5 – Mark Messier
6 – Bryan Trottier
7 – Vinny Lecavalier
8 – Adam Graves
9 – Ian Laperriere
10 – George Parros
VII – My fellow blogger, teammate and friend, John Kyle Sporer the 3rd, told me, via text message that, he does not care about the NHL, he only cares about the Oilers.
VIII – I know the above statement may seem shocking to some people, but don’t forget, this is the same guy who missed a Maroons (yes, THE Maroons) hockey game for marriage courses and chose not to watch last nights pivotal game 5 because he was, and I quote ‘making table centers’…
Cheers.
-Smith
p.s. this is just a great picture of, possibly, the 4 greatest New York Rangers of all time.
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