Yeah, I really don't see it happening. Like you said, it was largely a luck thing.

I'm kinda hoping for the Pens again... well, I always do, but at least this season we are largely healthy, and when/if we get Crosby back it will only improve. Though I will admit that a small part of me wouldn't mind seeing the Jets get it, but I don't know if they have the ability to do it.

I don't think they're ready for a run this year.... I'd love to see them make the playoffs though. That city would be electric if they made the playoffs in their first year!

Fishergirl7 : Jets fan I take it?

I loved that they won 6-1 as well. It's great that they had such a good start.... even if the game is meaningless right now. I bet the fans had an absolutely awesome time.

Watching the Pens/Wings game right now. Malkin is looking amazing out on the ice! And I am liking how our new guys are playing as well, especially Morrow.

Thiessen just let in a goal... not so happy.

geeogree : Of course. It's my hometown team.   Even if the game was meaningless, it meant the world to see them get the win at home in their first game. I can't wait to see how they do this year.

I hope Crosby can make it back soon, the penguins league needs him. He was on pace for 132 points last season, which hasn't been done since 1996.

geeogree : The Oilers are playing the Flames again tonight, your team is going down :p

Yeah, I would love for him to come back and play a whole season like that. It would be so awesome to see, not just for the Penguins but for the league as a whole.

smotpoker86 : yeah.... considering we had our AHL goalie in net I'm not surprised.... pre-season is meaningless though. I don't pay attention to it.

okay, not to get totally off-track in this thread... but what do you guys think about how Shanahan has been handling the discipline so far? I personally think it's been FANTASTIC. He has released videos explaining the hit, along with footage and rule references so that it's very obvious why a suspension was given. I think this is about the only thing that was going to improve my opinion of the situation. I really hope this continues. Makes the rules a lot clearer to me and the punishment being handed out is much more sensible seeming.

geeogree : I agree that the preseason is for the most part meaningless, at least from a fans stand point. If I remember correctly the oilers won most of their preseason games last year, but still finished worst in the league.  October 18th the battle of Alberta takes place at the Saddledome, all bets are on

I usually don't agree with the changes that Shanahan has helped implement (penalty for shooting the puck over the glass, no line changes on icings etc.) but I do like how he has handled these suspensions. Every year people question the leagues decisions on suspending players, saying things like "why did that guy get 10 games the other guy only got 3 games for nearly the same hit". If they continue to go into more depth about why they are suspending the players it should eliminate the majority of the criticism the league gets .

I wasn't aware that Shanahan was part of that rule change. I'm not a huge fan of that rule either but I still think it is a worthwhile rule. I would prefer it over being able to shoot the puck over the glass over and over without consequence. Although, I wish they could clarify the rule a little bit and make it so the shot has to be more intentional. I hate when the puck hits someones stick when they're just trying to shoot it out of the zone and it skips out and goes over the glass.... that sucks.


As for the in depth suspension explanation - yeah, it got really old when 2 VERY similar hits were given very different suspension lengths... and the explanation was so bad. Nice to have a hockey guy giving the explanations rather than a suit.

I have to agree, I like that they are explaining things now. I think it is definitely a step in the right direction and will probably help cut a lot of the complaining. I mean, people are still going to complain, but at least they will understand WHY it happened.

I want to keep this thread going so....

Stanley Cup final predictions.... who will be the 2 finalists?

My guess is going to be LA vs Pittsburgh. As long as Kopitar and Crosby are both healthy.

I'm hoping the Vancouver Canucks do well as last year for this year, as that's my favorite NHL team.

I'll predict that Canucks would be in the finals, with maybe the Penguins if, like you said, Crosby is kept healthy.

Shanahan leads the team that comes up with ideas that make the NHL "better". His title is Vice President of Hockey and Business Development. Of course you can't blame him for everything, as the GM's have to vote on rule changes. Since he recently took over Colin Campbell's job as the Senior Vice President of Player Safety and Hockey Operations, I am unsure if he still does the development.

The reason they stated for receiving a penalty if you shoot the puck over the glass is it delays the game, and that it was a tactic used to get a stoppage in play to change lines. In my opinion it is just an excuse to hand out more penalties so the league can see more goals overall. I can't understand why any one would purposefully shoot the puck out to delay the game now that there is a penalty for it. It would be similar to them giving a penalty for icing the puck. Also, if they want to stop delays in the game, they should get rid of commercial breaks first lol.


Anyways here is my prediction for the finals.  LA vs Washington (or maybe Philly). I had LA pegged for the finals last year too, but they failed miserably. Although a healthy Kopitar will definetly help LA's chances, I think it depends on Doughty more. Having one of the best Dman on the ice for 30 minutes a game does wonders. Just look at what Pronger did with the Oilers, Ducks and now with the Flyers. Thats why I said the Flyers might make it in the east, it depends on Prongers recovery from his back injury. They were one of the best teams last year, and we all know how horrible their goal tending was. Washington is just an obvious choice for me, I can't see them finishing lower than top 3 in the East.

geeogree : That match-up would be my dream series. Or San Jose vs Pittsburgh... but I don't think the Sharks have it this season.

Washington is much like San Jose, good team but chokes in the playoffs. They will never get there. Sadly, I kinda see the Kings in the same light... but I have hope.

I really want the Pens to make the finals though. It is so amazing when they are there.

Elara : I think the Kings will be different this year. More depth, more experience and more talent this time around. I'd love to see them get to the finals. As long as they stay healthy into the playoffs they should do well.

I can hope. It would figure that they make it the year after I move away. But if its Pens vs Kings, then at least I can still see it, and that would be awesome.

I'm hoping that the St. Louis Blues win there first Cup in the history of the team. Since the Blues are my favorite team in all the NHL.