The NHL Thread

[Battleship Pretension]

During the discussion of the Chara/Pacioretty issue in the "Sporots" thread, I almost felt awkward continuing the conversation because it's clear that most people here are bigger basketball fans. So I thought it might not be a bad idea for the handful of us here who follow hockey, the red-headed stepchild of major sports in America, to have a thread.

So if you wanna continue the discussion about whether Zdeno Chara will get extradited to Canada on charges of attempted murder, you can do it here. You know, if you want.

[Shauno]

I almost felt like apologizing for interrupting the conversation.

[ArchStanton]

I've been saying for 5 years that that thread such just be re-named the NBA thread.

As far as Chara's hit goes, it absolutely warrants a suspension, if only to send a message. The two players have had beef all year.
Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs just happens to chair the committee that this past November extended Bettman's (don't get me started on this weasel) contract by 5 years. No discipline from the league reeks to high heaven.

Players are well aware of where they are on the ice and Chara knows he's rubbing Pacioretty into the turnbuckle on that hit. Criminal charges are ridiculous but at least 2 games for a hit with this kind of severity is warranted.

[JPSpaulding]

So if Chara puts the exact same hit on Pacioretty and he gets up and slowly skates off the ice then no suspension is warranted?

I'm confused why the outcome dictates the punishment? I've seen plenty of players really injured over the years get up a skate off with no penalty call. I don't believe that Chara was trying to really hurt Pacioretty with his check but he also couldn't just skate away because the play had moved on. Unfortunate that the partition was there but that same kind of play happened last night in the Kings game and the player checked was fine.


At the end of the day FIGHTING is a 5 minute major penalty. FIGHTING!!! An act meant to inflict harm on another intentionally. I love hockey but it is the worst run sport out of the major 4 and deserves all the headaches it creates.

[MrDys]

Thank fuck for this thread and not the misnomer that is the Spororts thread.

You know who could use a good knock on the noggin? PK Subban.

[Shauno]

PK Subban is awesome. Y'all just jealous.

[Umlaut]

You know who could use a good knock on the noggin? PK Subban.

How's this?





#thisismycomputerbackground

#fanboy



#sohappythisthreadexists

[Shauno]

[Arnold Pomegranate]

Why don't we rename this thread "sporots", and rename the sporots thread "bao and disl angrily disagree on everything no one gives a shit about"

[scamboogah]

God forbid Hockey ever achieves mainstream popularity. So much of hockey fans' passion seems to be angrily complaining about how no ones cares about their favorite thing. They're like the persecuted Christians of the sports world.

Wake me up when Crosby's brain is unscrambled and he's playing again.

[Umlaut]

Ugh, go stink it up debating top 5 power forwards of all time over in that other thread. You're not wanted here. Also, Sidney Crosby fucking sucks.

[Fan of Hilarity]

Judging by every interview he's done I'm going to assume there aren't enough neurosurgeons in the world to unscramble his brain. He's probably the only man alive who can make Ben Stein look like an enraged coke head.

On an unrelated note after years of poor playoff appearances I think the Canucks are ready to make a run this year. Luongo is finally looking like he's in top form and with key defensemen starting to return I like their chances. Fingers crossed.

[ArchStanton]

Umlaut,
You have to be joking, right? Scammies trolling of this thread aside, that statement is assinine.
Don't let your Hardon for Overchkin cloud your judgement. Crosby's reluctance to play physically,his whining and that Robbie Benson pout face he's always making are off putting, no doubt, but the guy's skill is undeniable.

Shauno,
I can't wait to see what kind of impact PK is going to have with a little more maturity. Some humility might suit him better but I love what he's doing on the ice.

[ArchStanton]

Let's see if my re building Sens can spoil some Sabres Play-off hopes tonight.

[Umlaut]

Arch,
Allow me to clarify. Of course Sidney Crosby is a remarkably skilled hockey player. I just meant he sucks in both the personality and style departments. 24/7 revealed him to be a neurotic, superstitious, and serial-killer-ish reserved blah. And I just don't get excited about his highlight reel moments, because even when he's in top form, I'm bored. I swear this goes beyond the Ovi-Sid rivalry, though of course it plays into it. There are Penguins I genuinely like how they play - I think Malkin, when healthy, is a fascinating guy to watch, and his goal in the Winter Classic was pretty spectacular. I guess I'm just a sucker for that Russian hockey-style. However, I do wish Sid to get well and return to the game, because he is great for it, and, while frequently overstated, the rivalry with Ovechkin is often pretty amazing drama. Our past couple of wins against the Penguins didn't even feel quite right without him on the ice.

And with taking down the defending Cup champs today, the Caps have won eight in a row, and are right on the Flyer's tail for the top of the East. After that humiliating slump televised nationally on HBO, Caps have come around, learned to really play some D, and are gelling like crazy (finally)... Is it April yet?


EDIT: Oh, and I think PK Subban is awesome. Coming from a fan of that team that got humiliated in the first round last year.

[Battleship Pretension]

On an unrelated note after years of poor playoff appearances I think the Canucks are ready to make a run this year. Luongo is finally looking like he's in top form and with key defensemen starting to return I like their chances. Fingers crossed.

I don't think you even need to waste the energy crossing your fingers. Canucks are doing it this year.

[thegreg]

He's baaaaaaaaaack (I hope)

http://twitter.com/#!/pghpenguins/st...97931577004032

[Battleship Pretension]

He skated again this morning but there's no video of it this time so I can only assume he was slipping around the ice like Bambi learning to walk.

[ArchStanton]

I think the last nail in the coffin has been driven. The Goldwater institute has stated that they will indeed by filing a law suit should the sale of the Coyotes be finalized.
If Bettman can put away his hard-on for trying to market Hockey to a country that is largely apathetic to the sport then I could finally see the return of my beloved Jets.

[MrDys]

Pssht. It's all about TV markets. It has nothing to do with trying to market hockey to a country that doesn't want it.

Compare:





Phoenix has people. People that don't attend hockey games, but that's besides the point. There's more eyes looking at TV screens in Phoenix (and environs) than there are in Winnipeg. The law of averages says that means you're getting more people watching ads during hockey games in Phoenix rather than Winnipeg.

Going back to the Canadian population density map, you can see there's a reason why they keep floating the idea moving a team to cities like Windsor and Hamilton, despite there already being teams in close proximity (Red Wings and the Leafs, respectively). There's more eyes there.