The NHL Thread

[Ben Kenobi]

Tell me about those 'Hawks. I picked Theo Fleury on the hopes of his rehab program.

Lot of good that did me.

[rah]

Theo, likes to fall off the wagon. About a month ago, after a game, he (and many team members) visited a strip club and got into an altercation. The incident became very public and lot's of players had to make explanations to spouses and gfs. Theo had to make even more explanations. Up to then, the Hawks were positioned well for the playoffs. Since then, I think they've only won two games and are poised for an early summer. Most media and fans are pointing to that incident as the turning point in the Hawks season.

RAH

[Sava]

The signing of Theo Fleury was the hockey equivalent of the Cubs getting Todd Hundley.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Come on, Sava! No one deserves to be compared to Todd Hundley after he got injured (when he was on the Mets) .

[Sava]

... the Hawks have lost 8 in a row, Theo hasn't been contributing jacksh1t... he's a cancer to the team. At least Todd was just an 4sshole. Theo has completely derailed any Hawks' playoff hopes.

[Asher]

Theo was good till he left Calgary...

[Tingkai]

The problem with Tucker is he goes nuts at the wrong time. In the game against Ottawa, Toronto still had a chance with the score 3-1 and 10 minutes left, but Tucker screwed everything.

The Nolan trade is the type a team has to do if they want to try for the Cup. They gave up two great prospects, but they get a great power forward.

[Kontiki]

The Leafs still have no hope of winning the cup unless they can get at least two really solid defensemen. Right now, their defense blows, and you can't go all the way with that. Once you get deep into the playoffs, defense rules. Regardless, I'll still put my money on any team that comes out of the West - it's just such a superior conference.

[Guynemer]

The favorites are still the Red Wings, the Avs, the Devils, the Leafs, and--maybe--the Stars.

I put the Canucks a tier below these teams; they might very well be the most talented and exciting team in the league, but goaltending will remain a question mark in the playoffs until Cloutier shows he can win.

Now, one could say the same thing about the Stars with Marty Turco. However, I watched Turco as a four year starter with the University of Michigan, including a couple of NCAA titles. The man in CLUTCH. In four years at U-M, he never--and I mean, never--lost a game in which he went into the third period with a lead. I believe his record was 103-0-2 when leading after two periods. That's insane. I don't know if he will translate that level of success to the NHL playoffs, but I'd be a fool to bet against him. If I had to pick a team to win it all right now, it'd be the Stars.

It hurt to type that.

[cinch]

The favorites are still the Red Wings, the Avs, the Devils, the Leafs, and--maybe--the Stars.

Yes, yes, yes, no, yes.

I put the Canucks a tier below these teams; they might very well be the most talented and exciting team in the league, but goaltending will remain a question mark in the playoffs until Cloutier shows he can win.

Whaaa? How can the Leafs be a major contender (with their poor attitude and lacklustre defense), while the Canucks are relegated to "second tier"? Cloutier is a fine goalie. Young, but quite solid. I'd trust him more than Theodore. But that's just my opinion, I suppose.

But for overall Cup favourites, I've gotta say the Avs at this point. They're coming on strong when it's needed most, and the simple fact that they've got Sakic, Forsberg, Blake, and Roy on the same team is enough to make them a serious threat, in my eyes.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Cloutier does need to prove himself, but I think this will be the year he does. I don't think Vancouver will get past the second round, but it won't be Dan's fault.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Kontiki
I'd love to see Tucker get the crap pounded out of him - same goes for Domi. I'm first and foremost a Vancouver fan, but I do cheer for the Leafs in the East (I should - I live in Toronto). It just amazes me that the Leafs think that there is this vendetta against them by the refs/league brass/rest of the league but can't understand why. I have never, ever seen a team collectively whine, make stupid decisions and complain about everything as much as the Leafs. At least Gary Roberts seems to be having enough. After everyone else on the team vented about how much the refs cost them the game, Roberts had the integrity to say that the team needs to back off the refs.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

In any case the refereeing in the Ottawa game was atrocious.

The Leafs/Sabres game was pretty good - four good scraps even though the Leafs were missing two regular pugilists.

[Agathon]

The wings won't win because Joseph just isn't good enough when things get bad. The Leafs have already discovered this. Part of the reason that Joseph looks good is that he pulls off spectacular saves, however, the reason he has to make such saves is because his positioning is bad.

Joseph is a good goalie but when the game reaches a certain level he is a liability. I reckon Vancouver will chew up the west. But for a lapse in concentration and then confidence from Cloutier last year I think they would have won the cup.

Anyway, the Leafs have a good chance of making it to the final because they are the toughest team in the east. They almost made it to the final last year with one hand tied behind their back - I predict they will grind their way to the final, but will probably not have enough left to beat Vancouver or Dallas, one of whom they will probably face.

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by Agathon


Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

In any case the refereeing in the Ottawa game was atrocious.

The Leafs/Sabres game was pretty good - four good scraps even though the Leafs were missing two regular pugilists.

Which is the chicken and which is the egg?

Actually, the pissing and moaning on the Leafs' part definitely came first. Their team is loaded with some of the most unpopular players in the league, and they're disliked for a good reason.

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by Agathon
The wings won't win because Joseph just isn't good enough when things get bad. The Leafs have already discovered this. Part of the reason that Joseph looks good is that he pulls off spectacular saves, however, the reason he has to make such saves is because his positioning is bad.

Joseph is a good goalie but when the game reaches a certain level he is a liability. I reckon Vancouver will chew up the west. But for a lapse in concentration and then confidence from Cloutier last year I think they would have won the cup.

Anyway, the Leafs have a good chance of making it to the final because they are the toughest team in the east. They almost made it to the final last year with one hand tied behind their back - I predict they will grind their way to the final, but will probably not have enough left to beat Vancouver or Dallas, one of whom they will probably face.

I agree with the assessment about Detroit, although with all the other talent on that team, and with a solid number 2 (should he be number 1?) goalie in Legace, you can never really count them out.

As for the East, I'd actually say that Philadelphia is the toughest team, but they're always a wildcard in the playoffs. The last couple of years, they've been brutal. At the same time, they have the ability to smoke just about anyone. Personally, I'll go with New Jersey (shudder) to come out of the East. Although, if Ottawa can avoid/beat the Leafs, I might bet on them.

As I said, I love Vancouver in the West, but my gut feeling is that they'll make it to the second round and get knocked out. I hope that isn't the case, but I'm worried about their offensive depth. My money is on Colorado or Dallas.