yeah, I agree with that.... I'm really not sure why people think that fewer calls is a good thing in the playoffs... if fewer calls is a good thing then it should be that way all season. It's like having fewer calls makes the playoffs more exciting because you don't have to follow the rules or something.....

Yeah, I remember one of the announcers on NBC commenting on it almost every game. He said that if they were going to change the rules (about what is called and what isn't) then they should inform the players and the people about it so we know what is going on.

I didn't know that it was going on in other sports as well but it doesn't surprise me. On that side note, I would like to air my disgust at Lakers fans. They won on Sunday night, and you know what the fans did? Rioted, looted, threw explosive fireworks at LAPD. f***ing morons.

yeah, it happens in Basketball too... not sure how much in football or baseball because I don't watch enough to see a difference but it definitely happens in hockey and basketball

and yeah... that's California for you.... you would think they would have been more peaceful since their team won... but I guess not... instead they riot and cause destruction! way to go idiots.... bankrupt your state even more

Awards!

Conn Smythe, MVP Playoffs - Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh

Hart Memorial Trophy, MVP Regular Season - Alexander Ovechkin, Washington.

Vezina Trophy, goaltender - Tim Thomas, Boston.

James Norris Memorial Trophy, defenseman - Zdeno Chara, Boston.

Calder Memorial Trophy, rookie - Steve Mason, Columbus.

Frank J. Selke Trophy, defensive forward - Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, most gentlemanly - Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit.

Jack Adams Award, coach - Claude Julien, Boston.

King Clancy Trophy, humanitarian contribution to hockey - Ethan Moreau, Edmonton.

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, perserverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey - Steve Sullivan, Nashville.

Lifetime Achievement Award - Jean Beliveau.

Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award - Jarome Iginla, Calgary.

---

Art Ross Trophy, points scoring leader - Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh.

Maurice Richard Trophy, goal-scoring leader - Alexander Ovechkin, Washington.

William M. Jennings Trophy, goalies with fewest goals against, minimum 25 games - Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez, Boston

Lester B. Pearson Award, outstanding player - Alexander Ovechkin, Washington.


so, any thoughts about the awards? Ovechkin cleaned up with 3 trophies.... but were any of us really surprised? One he had secured already (goals) and I didn't think anyone was more important to his teams success during the regular season than Ovechkin was. Malkin and Datsyuk had much better teams to play on than Ovechkin did... I mean, their teams went to the finals... Ovechkin had to be the most valuable to his team....

I was surprised about the Norris trophy... Chara? really? Lidstrom is a much better player overall.... I think some people just wanted someone else to get it

oh, and props to Iggy for winning whatever that Mark Messier award was.... at least my team won 1 award

I just read the last few posts. It's funny, because the "murder capital of the world" was far more peaceful after winning the World Series. We even cleaned up the city quickly well after the parade.


Anyway, that happens A LOT in football. Some refs let the home crowd severely influence their calls. It's also a huge problem in basketball.

Back to hockey...any thoughts on the draft? I thought my Flyers made a great (but a few months late) move in getting Pronger. They should've done it midseason, though.

really? I thought they overpaid by a long shot to get him.... sure they need better defence but Lupul, the new kid and 2 1st round picks??? I don't know many players I would give that for.... and Pronger for sure is not one of them.

Well, Lupul is a lousy player who always loses the puck and can only score (and we have enough better scorers) and we really want a Stanley Cup in the next couple of years because our team has a small window of opportunity with the players that we have (older ones). Pronger is an excellent defensemen, which is exactly what this team needed

yeah, but 2 first round picks?!? I dunno... he scored 30+ goals last year didn't he....

and I'm sorry but pronger won't be enough to make Philly a stanley cup team. You'll have to take on the Penguins dynasty before getting a cup is realistic... not saying they couldn't do it... I just don't think Pronger is the right fit for it.

but he does fit in with Philly.... I wonder if they'll injure the most players again this year

I don't think Lupul did. He had over 25 though. But he still stinks. He almost always loses the puck and we had 5 other guys with 25 or more goals. And Pronger can give us a good shot. The Pens aren't a dynasty yet, and imagine how much better the Flyers will be with more than 1 consistently good defenseman/ Defense was our biggest issue last year (and in second place, lousy playoff goaltending from Biron, who probably isn't coming back due to the money he wants)

[nod]. I just think you overpaid is all.... the move was a smart one overall for the team... I'm just not sure if giving up 2 first round picks is worth it in the long term. Sure you -might- win a cup with the addition of Pronger, but I just don't see it happening. Boston, Washington and Pittsburgh are going to be too good this coming year I think. There is a lot of competition for Philly to go through in order to be even in consideration as a legitimate cup contender.

I don't think that any of those teams are out of our league. With Pronger, we now have a significantly better defense. That was an issue that killed us all year. The Flyers are in the same class as those teams, so we're legitimate contenders. But I do agree that we gave up more than we needed to

I'm going to kill this thread and start a 2009-2010 one to talk about free agent stuff and start the thread over.... not that I haven't enjoyed this thread but I'd like to have a fresh start for a new season.... plus there is a bunch to talk about already!!!