2008-2009 NHL Offseason Thread

[Lee.]

I'm not sure how many people are going to agree with me on this, but think about it for a second. Isn't it odd that when they started to punish fighters a little more, a lot more dirty actions took place? Mainly Chris Simon-esque things? I think that the NHL's actions towards fighters, including longer penalties and suspensions, has a direct correlation to the growing number of cheap shots. If you were a player who had bad blood with another, wouldn't you take a cheap shot? With the NHL hammering down on enforcers, now-a-days you really don't have to face anyone 1-on-1 anymore.

I think that the more they put "laws" on fighting, the more cheap shots will grow.

Thanks for not using Jesse Boulerice as an example. MOD EDIT: Look... capn89 hasn't even posted in this thread, so let's leave him out of it, shall we?

Thank you.

Tell me I'm wrong

[DarkJourney]

If you can't beat them, steal from them:

Red Wings assisant coach Todd McLellan has been named head coach of the San Jose Sharks

[Neon_Matrix]

It feels good to have a capible coach behind the bench again. I loved Maurice as a person but he just was not that good as a coach sadly. Now all we need is a GM and its looking like Burke is on his way next summer.

[FiddySicks]

It feels good to have a capible coach behind the bench again. I loved Maurice as a person but he just was not that good as a coach sadly. Now all we need is a GM and its looking like Burke is on his way next summer.

Too bad your coach is the Bruce Bochy of hockey. Have fun dropping in 5 in the second round for the next 7 years.

[Coast2CoastAM2006]

Phanuef to grace cover of NHL 09.

i hope to hell 09 is an upgrade over that epic fail that EA put out last year. no wonder wal-mart, target and k-mart refused to put it on the shelves.

NHL 08 was actually pretty good IMO, unless you're one of those people who refuse to learn the new controls.

Agreed. Sometimes I think people hate on EA's NHL games just to hate on them. Yeah, the PC versions have been essentially the same ever since '04, but NHL08 on the 360 was the best EA NHL game ive ever played. All they need to do is bring back the feature that lets you play just the playoffs.

Controls was the least of my issue with the game. NHL 08 was great from a realistic POV and had the AHL but it didn't have anything that really held my attention. But really with the way i have the sliders set its as ever bit as realistic as NHL 08. The few areas where NHL 08 was better than 2k8 was smoother graphics and had AHL teams and rosters. I personally find 2k8 far more enjoyable especially as i can play as the winnipeg jets or the quebec nordiques or the 82 Islanders or my favorite bring back some of the older islander jerseys. none of which i can do on 08.

in fact i'm probably going to sell both NHl 08 and madden 08. both which seems like wasted money.

[Neon_Matrix]

It feels good to have a capible coach behind the bench again. I loved Maurice as a person but he just was not that good as a coach sadly. Now all we need is a GM and its looking like Burke is on his way next summer.

Too bad your coach is the Bruce Bochy of hockey. Have fun dropping in 5 in the second round for the next 7 years.

IF we can even make it to the playoffs.

Remember he DID direct the Capitals to the finals before... so its not like he has ALWAYS failed to make it very far in the post season...

[Shane Does Art]

It feels good to have a capible coach behind the bench again. I loved Maurice as a person but he just was not that good as a coach sadly. Now all we need is a GM and its looking like Burke is on his way next summer.

Too bad your coach is the Bruce Bochy of hockey. Have fun dropping in 5 in the second round for the next 7 years.

IF we can even make it to the playoffs.

Remember he DID direct the Capitals to the finals before... so its not like he has ALWAYS failed to make it very far in the post season...

Well according to you that is never good enough.

[Neon_Matrix]

It feels good to have a capible coach behind the bench again. I loved Maurice as a person but he just was not that good as a coach sadly. Now all we need is a GM and its looking like Burke is on his way next summer.

Too bad your coach is the Bruce Bochy of hockey. Have fun dropping in 5 in the second round for the next 7 years.

IF we can even make it to the playoffs.

Remember he DID direct the Capitals to the finals before... so its not like he has ALWAYS failed to make it very far in the post season...

Well according to you that is never good enough.

No, but it shows not every team he has coached has failed to make it that far.

[Jer15]

It feels good to have a capable coach behind the bench again. I loved Maurice as a person but he just was not that good as a coach sadly. Now all we need is a GM and its looking like Burke is on his way next summer.

Amen.

Seems like every thing is starting to fall into place piece by piece in Leafs nation. I'm even happy that they haven't been rumored to be going for some huge free agent signing, draft well this year, end up in basically the same position as last year, get another decent draft next year and next thing you know things will start looking up for the Leafs.

You have to think though, if Burke is coming here next year would he even really care about the Ducks this season? Assuming that's most likely a "no" wouldn't the Ducks just cut their losses and let him go?

I don't know, maybe my logic is just backwards.

[Neon_Matrix]

It feels good to have a capable coach behind the bench again. I loved Maurice as a person but he just was not that good as a coach sadly. Now all we need is a GM and its looking like Burke is on his way next summer.

Amen.

Seems like every thing is starting to fall into place piece by piece in Leafs nation. I'm even happy that they haven't been rumored to be going for some huge free agent signing, draft well this year, end up in basically the same position as last year, get another decent draft next year and next thing you know things will start looking up for the Leafs.

You have to think though, if Burke is coming here next year would he even really care about the Ducks this season? Assuming that's most likely a "no" wouldn't the Ducks just cut their losses and let him go?

I don't know, maybe my logic is just backwards.

Well, Peddie is still involving himself in the hockey operations which is not a good thing. The sooner he butts out the better. I hate the media at the moment with all the "speculation" and "inside sources" on what will be going on. Tucker should not be bought out. Sundin SHOULD resign as we have no one else of his calibure to take his spot. There aren't too many free agents out there which would fit our needs. Sure we could use Malone who is young and effective. Most players out there we either can't afford or are too old for what it is we want to achieve. We are already stuck with Blake and if we could get him off our books then maybe I wouldn't mind us going for a more experienced, consistent player like Rolston. I just hope we don't sign anyone to an offer sheet because giving up our first round pick for next season would be a horrible move when we are trying to rebuild. We need our pick this year and we need it next year and the year after and so on. The only way I'd part with them would be to grab a player like Malkin (A pipe dream I know) or another very young but 80+ points player. Otherwise, we better be drafting well. I don't expect much this summer as I expected too much at the deadline and was let down. I hope some changes will be made but if there aren't any, I won't be too surprised.

Small steps in the right direction. We learned from our "youth" experiment when it comes to the front office and now the reins are being put back in the hands of experienced winners. Quinn was good for us as he turned us into conference finalists and hopefully Fletch + Next GM along with Wilson will help turn us into a team which all others will once again fear.

[CC97]

It feels good to have a capible coach behind the bench again. I loved Maurice as a person but he just was not that good as a coach sadly. Now all we need is a GM and its looking like Burke is on his way next summer.

Too bad your coach is the Bruce Bochy of hockey. Have fun dropping in 5 in the second round for the next 7 years.

Wilson took you to the conference finals one year before losing in round 2 in the next 3... unless Bay Area (or bucfan) math is different from real math I'd say you're way off.

But yes, having a good regular season and going to the second round next year would surpass the expectations of many and may even win Wilson an Adams award... so thanks!

[ferrousoxide66]

Wilson got as much as he could out of San Jose. That team is beyond soft and it shows in the postseason. Thornton, Marleau who's gonna man up? Wasn't them.

[Neon_Matrix]

Wilson got as much as he could out of San Jose. That team is beyond soft and it shows in the postseason. Thornton, Marleau who's gonna man up? Wasn't them.

Maybe some actual experienced d-men could have helped...

[FiddySicks]

It feels good to have a capible coach behind the bench again. I loved Maurice as a person but he just was not that good as a coach sadly. Now all we need is a GM and its looking like Burke is on his way next summer.

Too bad your coach is the Bruce Bochy of hockey. Have fun dropping in 5 in the second round for the next 7 years.

Wilson took you to the conference finals one year before losing in round 2 in the next 3... unless Bay Area (or bucfan) math is different from real math I'd say you're way off.

But yes, having a good regular season and going to the second round next year would surpass the expectations of many and may even win Wilson an Adams award... so thanks!

Sarcasm man.

[Shumway]

Not sure if anyone else is watching the awards ceremony, but Datsyuk's cracking me up.

"I want make speech longer, but english short."

Edit: Now, he's won the Lady Byng again.

"Now english even shorter"

Give that guy every award.

Apparently, they can't spell in the NHL. The kid handing Lidstrom the Norris had a jersey with LiNdstrom on the back.

[NJTank]

Not sure if anyone else is watching the awards ceremony, but Datsyuk's cracking me up.

"I want make speech longer, but english short."

Edit: Now, he's won the Lady Byng again.

"Now english even shorter"

Give that guy every award.

Apparently, they can't spell in the NHL. The kid handing Lidstrom the Norris had a jersey with LiNdstrom on the back.

What channel is it on?

[Shumway]

Not sure if anyone else is watching the awards ceremony, but Datsyuk's cracking me up.

"I want make speech longer, but english short."

Edit: Now, he's won the Lady Byng again.

"Now english even shorter"

Give that guy every award.

Apparently, they can't spell in the NHL. The kid handing Lidstrom the Norris had a jersey with LiNdstrom on the back.

What channel is it on?

It was on Versus from 7-8:30 here.

[NJTank]

Dang I pulled a Ramon Castro and thought it was on later

[Shane Does Art]

Ottawa hired Craig Hartsburg as their head coach, and Peter Deboer as the assistant. Not bad, not bad at all.

[FiddySicks]

It feels good to have a capible coach behind the bench again. I loved Maurice as a person but he just was not that good as a coach sadly. Now all we need is a GM and its looking like Burke is on his way next summer.

Too bad your coach is the Bruce Bochy of hockey. Have fun dropping in 5 in the second round for the next 7 years.

IF we can even make it to the playoffs.

Remember he DID direct the Capitals to the finals before... so its not like he has ALWAYS failed to make it very far in the post season...

Heh, now that I think about it, Bochy DID get to the WS in 98...... Were the Pads were swept by New York. Same year that the Caps got swept by the Wings to boot!!!