Notes from Super Saturday

I don't know if I ever seen more posts about one day of hockey, but the consensus seems to be that it was outstanding. Of course, people are already making random accusations, unreasonable predictions, and outlandish assumptions and we're only going into our 5th day of the regular season. Enjoy the excitement of the start of the season, but lets not start measuring dicks yet. There's plenty of hockey and drinking to do before we get to that point.

• Don't think anyone expected the Avalanche, or the Blues to go 2 and 0. I expect that to continue for the Blues, but not for the Avalanche fans predicting their march to the playoffs. But stranger things have happened.
• Funny how the home crowd brings out your best game, but only for Finns. Koistinen with a goal, and the shootout winner in the first of two, and Antti Niemi with the shutout in the second game.
• Jimmy Howard looked wretched, and gave a few reasons as to why he hasn't made the bigs. I thoroughly enjoyed Babcock barking at him during that timeout.
• Toskala allowed Ovechkin past him 1:17 into the game, giving up three goals on eight shots, and got pulled early. He looked like shit, I'll bet the house that Gustavsson starts the next game.
• The Bruins throttled Carolina in an attempt at payback for Round Two last season. Spreading the wealth, seven different Bruins scored in that game.
• Patrick Marleau's speed is amazing, given just the slightest of a lead, he is gone. Just ask Ryan Whitney. (0:46)
• WTF, Heatley knows how to pass the puck? (1:04, same clip)
• I get chills when I see Sheldon wind up at the blueline. Must have taken a lot of shit for that name.
• Deuce deuce. Kovalchuk, Peverly, and St. Louis had 2 goals each, and Enstrom and Little had 2 assists a piece. I know, I'm reaching now.
• Brent Sutter really tightened up the penalty kill after allowing 2 power play goals against Vancouver in their season opener. Freddy Shoes looked tenacious as did the rest of the killers against the Oil.
• Seems like all the rookies got on the board in their first games, Tavares with a rebound, Hedman with a nicely placed, tippable shot, Duchene with an assist, I think Kane got on the board.

That's it, it was a great Saturday, hopefully I can manage to put some real posts together in the near future. Thanks for playing.

Notes from Opening Night 2009

Living on the West Coast, I'm usually subject to catching the end of the 1st period or the start of the 2nd on the Eastern Conference games as I flip on XM on my mad dash out of the office. So last night I decided I wouldn't turn on the picture box until the start of the 'Nucks vs. Flames matchup. Actually that's a lie, a flipped around just before then looking to see if I could get Joe's jersey retirement on the DirecTV Center Ice package. No such luck. God damn Versus and DirecTV. Anyway, all I got to watch was the previously mentioned game, and some highlights of the other three.


Vancouver Canucks @ Calgary Flames, 10/1/09

• First off, the throwback Flames jersey's are hideous, there's a reason why those went the way of the mothball. I mean come on, these jersey's are so bad ass, with the black helmet, gloves, and pants. All that red with the yellow and white was painful to look at, the black at least balances that out. Just sayin', they could have done a lot better with a third jersey choice than a recycle.
• Giordano's quick move at the blueline and subsequent rip past Luongo just inside the post was a thing of beauty. He played like a man possessed with something to prove. Very impressive.
• As goofy as Jay Bouwmeester looks, he's a smooth operator on the ice. You could tell how excited he was to play for a team in contention with his jumps into the play. Maybe I didn't watch a lot of Florida games, but I didn't see him having that kind of faith in the defensive responsibilities of his team back then.
• I don't think anyone expected Luongo to give up three goals in the first, but he made a big save early in the second to regain his composure, and give the Canucks a chance to get back in the game.
• For a while there, it looked like Alex Burrows was the only guy in a white jersey attempting to play hockey.
• I figured Mikael Samuelsson would be a major factor in the scoring for the Canucks this season, but I was kind of underwhelmed by his play, even with the goal.
• Shirokov seemed to be hungry, going to the net hard in a few plays, but was able to put one in. Keep a close eye on him this year.
• Couldn't believe how responsible Jokinen was in this game, backchecking, and coming all the way back to the crease to make a play. Sutter must have gotten his hooks into him good.

Other than that, I thought Kevin Weekes did a good job in the broadcast. He didn't add anything earth-shattering, but he spoke well and clearly, and diagrammed some highlights. It almost seemed like he played hockey so that he could work in the booth someday, like he was dying to retire so he could take the job he really wanted.


Just watched Joe's ceremony over here. Pretty awesome. Got goosebumps from it at certain points. I like how they had him walk from out front, and through the lobby and the locker room and back onto the ice. Foote looked real awkward in his talking part. I thought the enshrinement of his spot in the locker room was a little weird. Its cool for a display out in the Pepsi Center somewhere, but in the locker room forever? Paintings were a little odd too. Would have like the Denver crowd to have embarrassed Joe a little bit more, and really get a chant going. I think he used the same speech at the actual retirement annoucement. But it was pretty classy overall, for one helluva classy individual, and an outstanding hockey player. One of the greatest of my era. Thanks Joe.

Breakdown Wrap-Up

I hate predictions, there's such a fine line between looking like a genius and looking like Eklund.

But fuck it, looking stupid isn't nearly as painful as being stupid.

1. Chicago Blackhawks

2. San Jose Sharks

3. Vancouver Canucks

4. Detroit Red Wings

5. Calgary Flames

6. Anaheim Ducks

7. St. Louis Blues

8. Dallas Stars

• Putting Chicago first is probably a mistake unless Huet lives up to the contract, or the Bowmans' deal for someone. Somehow.

• I really like the Canucks this year, I think that team's going to be my girlfriend this season.
  
• Dallas is another longshot considering last season, but I think they're pissed.

Three True Contenders... Chicago, Vancouver, and Calgary. Just a gut feeling.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

2. Boston Bruins

3. Philadelphia Flyers

4. Washington Capitals

5. Montreal Canadiens

6. New Jersey Devils

7. New York Rangers

8. Toronto Maple Leafs

• For some reason, as good as the Pens are, I don't seem them getting to the finals. They'll roll through the regular season, but it'll be a different story in the post. Too many young egos.
  
• Putting the Habs up that high is probably a mistake, but I think this group is better than what was there last season.
  
• Toronto making the dance is my shot in the dark, that one's probably going to make me look stupid. But again, fuck it.

Three True Contenders... Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals. Not really risking much there.

Awards...

Hart...

Ovechkin. Big surprise.

Vezina...

Luongo. Oooooh.

Calder...

Victor Hedman or Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson.

Hedman's probably a lock, but if Toronto makes the dance I got a feeling its going to be this guy that gets them there.

Selke...

Mike Richards.

Lady Byng...

Who cares?

Art Ross...

Malkin. Double Oooooh.

Norris...

Dan Boyle.

Jack Adams...

Andy Murray.

Presidents Trophy...

Pittsburgh Penguins

Prince of Wales...

Washington Capitals

Clarence Campbell Bowl...

Vancouver Canucks

Stanley Cup...

Vancouver Canucks

So there's my ass flapping in the breeze. We'll be re-picking when we get closer to the postseason, so I can make it look like I know what I'm talking about.

Here's to Opening Night! Hope its a great season!

Pacific Division Breakdown

Should they change the Pacific to the Southwest, just so the Southeast doesn't feel lonely? Come to think of it, with Bettman's blitzkrieg of southern expansion, how did that idea escape his holiness?

The Ducks seem to always peak at the right time, they play hard enough to get into the postseason, and then they beat the crap out of you. Burke's fingerprint is all over this franchise, and I thought GM Bob Murray was dropping the ball when he first took the reigns, but he seems to have a good grasp of his team and the league. The big news of their summer was sending Captain Elbows to Philly for Lupul's return and young, promising defenseman Luca Sbisa. Teemu managed to convince exiled Koivu to come to SoCal from Montreal, that should make for an exciting line. Scotty Niedermayer re-signed while his lazy-ass brother was refused a contract but got picked up in Jersey. Underrated defenseman Francois Beauchemin followed Brian Burke to Toronto, that was a big loss that will be felt with the departure of Pronger. The Ducks will still be in the middle to the bottom of the pack, watch for Giguere to really challenge Hiller for games this season, making them a formidable duo as he was with Bryzgalov.

Offseason Grade: C, things more or less considered even.

Regular Season Finish: 6th in the West, 2nd in the Pacific


Big D had an awful year last year, and I expect them to bounce back with some anger. I'm betting Turco will return to form, and hoping that heart and soul guy, Brendan Morrow will be fully recovered from the nasty ACL. The 'Dyk is now at the helm, replacing Bobby's retarded son Brett, and Les Jackson who was merely a casualty in a poorly constructed idea of Co-GM's. Joey went to work quick replacing Tippett with Marc Crawford and his hair gel. Bad move, Tippett is a much better coach then Crawford, and was again, a casualty of a miserable season. Defensemen Karlis Skrastins and Jeff Woywitka were brought in from Florida and St. Louis, respectively. Jere Lehtinen was re-signed as well as Mark Fistric while quite a few guys walked. Begin went to Boston, Lundqvist went back to Sweden, Morrison went to Washington, Sydor went to St. Louis, Zubov returned to Russia, and Parrish couldn't find work in Vancouver. I still like their team and their chances of making the post this season, but they are most definetely a bubble team that could be on either side of the firing line.

Offseason Grade: D, maybe just because of Crawford.

Regular Season Finish: 8th in the West, 3rd in the Pacific

These poor bastards, every year its 'can they make it?' And every year the answer ends up being 'No.' GM Dean Lombardi has weathered the storms of criticism in staying the course with re-building through the draft. I'm very impressed with what coach Terry Murray (the brother without the lisp) has done with this team, think Andy Murray (unrelated) in St. Louis. They traded for Ryan Smyth sending defensemen Tom Preissing and Kyle Quincey to Colorado, not sure who wins in that deal, and also paid Rob Scuderi for his kick save in SC Finals. They re-signed Teddy Purcell and Jack Johnson while letting a lot of deadweight walk, (Calder, Gauthier, Armstrong). The goaltending situation continues to be a question but Jonathan Quick and Erik Ersberg seem to be growing into the role with the rest of the team. I still don't expect them to make it this season, but there yet another bubble team that's got an outside shot of making it.

Offseason Grade: C, if only for getting rid of the sinkers and floaters.

Regular Season Finish: 1oth in the West, 4th in the Pacific

Hard to think about hockey when you've got this kind of shit hitting the fan. I don't see how this team does anything productive unless they go all Major League Cleveland Indians style and really make everyone feel good. Come on, tell me that if the Dogs go on a tear, and dare I say make the dance, wouldn't every hockey fan be excited as shit for them? Or is Canada really that pissed? Whatever, that won't happen anyway. The whip cream on this shit is the fact that Gretzky stepped down, and Maloney brought in Tippett, which could make anything possible. Out are Kalinin (KHL), Klee (retirement?), McGrattan and Dawes to Calgary. Re-signed are Yandle and Upshall (good move), and added Vernon Fiddler from Nashville, Aucoin from Calgary, LaBarbera from Vancouver, and Korpikoski from the Rangers. This team is basically fucked, regardless.

Offseason Grade: C, could've done worse.

Regular Season Finish: 15th in the West, 5th in the Pacific

When you take a look at the roster now, you realize that the 'shake-up' that Doug Wilson was talking about actually did happen. And I'm not just talking about Dany Heatley for one-hit wonder Cheechoo and 25 goal scorer Milan Michalek. Erhoff and Lukowich were dealt to the Canucks to make room for that move, while Roenick and Lemieux retired. Free Agents Marcel Goc (Nashville), Travis Moen (Montreal), Mike Grier (Buffalo), and Brian Boucher (Philadelphia) all left a team that didn't want them. Instead Dougie kept the ones he wanted, awesomely underrated Ryan Clowe, Torrey Mitchell, Kent Huskins, and Brad Staubitz and added Scott Nichol from Nashville. Its definetely a different locker room, and with the captaincy stripping of St. Patty, and now laid upon Rob Blake it may have a different demeanor. I doubt it, letters on a jersey don't mean a whole lot when you're pissed off and have got something to say. You're going to say it whether or not you've got a 'C' or an 'A'. The Sharks made a pretty damn good team even better, but once April rolls around, will it show?

Offseason Grade: A, Got Heatley, didn't have to give up Marleau and only lost Michalek, I'll make that trade any day.

Regular Season Finish: 2nd in the West, 1st in the Pacific

And that's it, man that was a lot of work. I'll do another wrap up of the whole thing later today.

Southeast Division Breakdown

How much do fans in this division hate being called the 'SouthLeast'? Two back-to-back Cups in the last 5 seasons is hard to laugh at. But we'll try.

The story this season in Hotlanta will be 'Will He Stay or Will He Go?' Entering Ilya's final contract year, this will be debated all season long until he either re-signs, or gets dealt at the deadline because he won't re-sign. The fact that he hasn't signed before the season starts means that he is gone, but Kovy apparently likes in Atlanta. I really don't understand how Don Waddell keeps his job, this man must be asleep at the switch. This is a contract offer that must be made before the puck drops, and it must be made lucrative enough for him to stay on a crappy team that's poorly managed. Picked up Antropov to center Kovy for 4years at $16million (too much) and traded for Kubina sending young defensive stud Garnet Exelby to Toronto, (that will be lopsided in a short while). Donny re-signed Lehtonen and Thorburn because he doesn't have any choice. I don't know what to tell you folks down there, a part of me wants Kovalchuk to stay and be built around but its not happening. The other part of me wants a talent like him to be some where he can shine, and you tear down that team and either start over, or give up. I hate saying it, but that's what I think.

Offseason Grade: D, maybe a C if you hadn't overpaid for Nik and signed Kovalchuk for Christ's sake!

Regular Season Finish: 15th in East, 5th in Southeast


The Canes always seem to make something happen while no one is watching, kinda like the Eastern Conference's version of the Preds. Already with one of those aformentioned Cups in a 12year history in Raleigh, Rutherford seems to have some kind of magic touch, and I'm not talking about with referees. He managed to keep Cam Ward on signing him to a 6year ($6.3million avg.), that's the big news of the day for Carolina fans. Great move considering Cam doesn't garner as much attention as some other stoppers and yet has a Cup, a Conn, and backstopped two seasons to Conference Finals. But in the offseason they picked up D-man Andrew Alberts from Philly and forward Tom Kostopoulos from Montreal, and kept Chad LaRose and Erik Cole. The Hurricanes also brought back Aaron Ward from Boston in a trade for Patrick Eaves and a pick. Defenseman Seidenberg and Babchuk were asking for too much I think so Jimmy told them to take a hike, and didn't want forward Ryan Badya. I don't see anything much different from last year as far as offseason moves, another bubble team but I think they'll miss out on the dance this season.

Offseason Grade: B, Cam Ward's extention moves this grade up from a lateral C.

Regular Season Finish: 9th in the East, 2nd in the Southeast

Just like the strands in the ol' Dude'rs head, lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous. Seems like ages ago when rubber rats were raining down from the seats. This teams best move in the offseason, Jacques Martin quitting the GM position. The worst, losing timid Jay Bouwmeester. Throw a microphone in that guy's face and he becomes a pimply faced teenager who just found some hair growing on his balls. Enough of that. Malarchuk's buddy Zednik left for the KHL and took his neckguard with him, ass-saver Craig Anderson left for Colorado to try and take up a #1 position, defensemen Skrastins left for Dallas, and Boynton left for Anaheim. Winger Dave Booth signed on for another 6years, and that's probably the second best move for the franchise this summer, okay, maybe its the best. Radek Dvorak re-signed as well, and the picked up Koistenen from Nashville, Leopold in the lopsided J-Bou deal, and most importantly ass-saver Scott Clemmensen, who proved his worth in Jersey when Brodeur went down. They're not going to surprise and hold on to 9th this year, the back end is weak. Down year for a club without ownership.

Offseason Grade: C, if losing Bouwmeester was inevitable, not convinced it was.

Regular Season Finish: 13th in Conference, 4th in Division

I don't know, this team is so all over the place, who knows what to make of them. Management is the real problem, the owners are just about fucking retarded and need Bettman to mediate the divorce. So far they've kept Lecavalier, good move, that guy is lights out, and I don't know anyone who hustles like Martin St. Louis. The big pick-up this offseason was taking Victor Hedman #2 in the draft. He's a cocky son-of-a-bitch, but he's got Ohlund to watch, he's my pick for the Calder unless Varly qualifies, or the Monster backstops the Leafs to the post. As for other defensemen, they picked up Matt Walker from Chicago, Kurtis Foster out of Minnesota, and re-signed Krajicek and Lashoff. And they still have Meszaros, insert your Tampa Bay defenseman joke here. Otherwise they picked up Antero Nittymaki from the Flyers to push Mike Smith, and finally offered Alex Tanguay enough money to sign. Who did they lose, Vinny Prospal and a bunch of no name's, you could probably lump Prospal in latter category too. But for all my shit-talking, I think Tampa will do better than last year. I'm not saying they're going to make the playoffs, lets not get ahead of ourselves here, but they have an outside shot of being a bubble team. Highly unlikely.

Offseason Grade: C, they brought on better than they let go.

Regular Season Finish: 11th in East, 3rd in Southeast

Some idiot is going to do a re-make of Benny and the Jets, and call it Ovie and the Caps, just you wait. It'll make your ears bleed. But at least the new Caps make us feel good, and not dirty like the Dale Hunter years that made us feel like we had just come down from a bad hit of acid. In any case, defense is the problem and it really hasn't been fixed. They lost Kozlov and Federov to the KHL, Brashear to the Rangers, and backup Brent Johnson to the Penguins. If Varlamov didn't shock the hell out of everyone, we'd all be worrying, but if he falters, the scary comes with Theodore, who no doubt will have a head full of issues with the loss of a child in the offseason. Great pick-up by stealing Mike Knuble from Philly, but lose points for taking on Brendan Morrison even for a year, that guy is lost in the faster NHL. Re-signed forwards Boyd Gordon and Shaone Morrisonn and defenseman Milan Jurcina and Jeff Schultz. They'll need to add defense to get past the second round, and not suffer another embarrassment like that Game 7. Yikes.

Offseason Grade: C, Didn't address their real need.

Regular Season Finish: 4th in the East, 1st in the Southeast

Now I Know...

... why ESPN doesn't give hockey any coverage. Because they fucking suck at it. Who writes for these idiots? Who pays those idiots?

I'm starting to think this should be a weekly feature.

Northwest Division Breakdown

Has anyone ever noticed that all the Canadian teams are corraled into one division in each of the conferences? Conspiracy.

No one can ever accuse Darryl Sutter of being an inactive GM. Perpetually wheeling and dealing in order to make his team better looks great to the fans, but when your ass is planted so firmly against the cap that you can't dress the necessary amount of defenseman for a game, maybe you should re-think making all those moves. In any case, Sutter's the winner of the J-Bouw sweepstakes, and all he had to do was offer up the rights to Jordan Leopold to Florida. I don't think there's anyone home, and the lights aren't on either down in Sunrise, but I digress. The Flames defense is now scary good with the pick-up of Jay, and the dropping of Adrian Aucoin who found work in Phoenix. Daz also let Cammalleri walk to the Canadiens and Bertuzzi back to Detroit via FA, those two were his big pick-ups last offseason. He picked up Freddy Shoes from the Rangers, but more importantly he swiped his brother Brent from Jersey Lou, that's definetely an upgrade from Iron Mike. The Flames always seem to be in it, but never true contenders, even in their run against Tampa. They'll be strong and in the post this year, but probably behind Vancouver.

Offseason Grade: B, Bouwmeester was the big FA signing of the summer, shit, we talked about it all season long.
Regular Season Finish: 5th in the West, 2nd in the Northwest


When the biggest event of the summer for your team is the retirement of the face of the franchise, you know you are bound for a re-build. And so with the third pick of the Entry Draft they took forward Matt Duchene, and began to clean house. Ian Laperriere, a heart and soul guy, left for a more natural fit with Philly, Ryan Smith got traded to LA, they finally got rid of perpetual suck Tyler Arnason, (who went to NYR, but got cut), Ben Guite went Honky Tonk, and Andrew Raycroft somehow found yet another job (VAN). They picked up too solid defensemen in the Smyth trade, Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing, but the most curious addition with Craig Anderson from Florida. Andy showed signs of brilliance on a dismal Florida team, stringing together shutouts from time to time while filling in for an oft-injured Vokoun. He has yet to prove himself as a number one, but he will probably split time with Budaj unless he wins the spot with his play. Bottom line, there's not much to look forward to after Joe Sakic's jersey retirement until the next draft. Suck is the new black in Colorado.

Offseason Grade: D, this grade could be lowered if Anderson vanishes in a few months.
Regular Season Finish: 14th in West, 5th in Northwest

The only way to get players to come to this shithole is to throw ridiculous amounts of money at them. Pronger's wife demanded a trade, Dany wouldn't go even after he was shown the promotional video. But if your next destination is the KHL and someone's offering you the money, you'll take it right? Edmonton can't be that much different than Russia, can it? Khabby has grabbed a four year $15million deal at age 36, not bad for a guy who just gave up in the playoffs. Rolosson left the three-goalie rotation in Edmonton for one on the Island, Sabourin (BOS) left to make sure Rask doesn't freak out like last season, and Kotalik left so that Sather could overpay him. If you look at the D on paper, it doesn't read too bad, and with Nikky in back this could be a tough team to score against. The Oil have a bunch of talented young forwards that just can't seem to take that next step, they'll need a push via trade, if they can get anyone to go up there. A bubble team for sure, you could put them on either side of the line in the sand, but I have them on the wrong side.

Offseason Grade: D, help is needed on offense, and Comrie is not thy name.

Regular Season Finish: 9th in the West, 3rd in the Northwest

I get the feeling like the honeymoon with a new GM, coach, and team philosophy will not be as sweet as everyone is thinking. Yes its great to see that this team will actually start to play an offensive up-tempo type hockey, but I think the whole team in general is going to have a tough time adjusting to this new style after 10 years of dictatorship rule. The funny thing is that once the playing style changes, Gaborik is off to New York. Marian had to suffer through boring hockey while his play is electrifying. Definetely a big hit losing him, but they brought in Martin Havlat to make up the difference. Havlat (6 years $30million) is most definetely a difference-maker, he can score and set-up, so the swap out may pay off in the long run. Sheriff Shane Hnidy (BOS) was brought in to replace Kurtis Foster who left for Tampa, other than that, we're going to see if Backstrom's numbers are as good, and if they aren't if Harding can shine. Growing pains will be prevalent in Minnesota.

Offseason Grade: C, Havlat for Gaborik, only time will tell.
Regular Season Finish: 13th in West, 4th in Northwest. Sorry Minny.

I really believe that this team is built for the postseason and on the verge of success. I've been pleasantly surprised by GM Gillis's shrewd moves and outside-the-box thinking, that's allowed him to put together a solid team. You've got grit, you've got skill, you've got youth, you've got depth, and you've got probably the best goaltender in the league locked up for the rest of his career. Its hard to argue with. Getting the Sedin's re-signed was a major point in the direction of the franchise, if they didn't return to BC, this team would be a lot different, no question. Stealing Samuelsson (3 years, $7.5million) away from the big Red machine was huge, and I think that might be the most underrated pick-up in FA. Defecting from the KHL, Shirokov has been the surprise of the preseason and the jury's still out on Hodgson's development with a back injury at camp. Taylor Pyatt has found a new home in Phoenix as did backup LaBarbera, and Ohlund violated the NAFTA by signing with the Lightning 5 minutes before free agency started. Wellwood showed up to camp streamlined, but they later found a 40pack of Timbits in his locker. The Canucks are poised, otherwise we'll have Boberto crying in the locker room again, and no one wants to see Lu cry.

Offseason Grade: A, Great additions, good subtractions.
Regular Season Finish: 3rd in the West, 1st in the Northwest