I'm really not sure how many hockey fans we have around but I figured I would make a thread just in case. It's still pretty early on in the season.

So, who's your favorite team? Which players do you love? and which players do you love to hate?

I'm a Calgary Flames fan (my hometown... no other reason really) and I'm a fan of Canadian teams (except for Toronto) when Calgary isn't playing. I'm pretty happy with how well they're doing so far this year. 3rd in the western conference right now and 5th overall in the league. Can't complain about that.

So what about everyone else?

I myself i play some hockey for fun and i enjoy watching it.. but my fav team i cannot pinpoint one team.. i have a number of two fav teams.. which would be the boston bruins and the montreal canadians..
they are both a very aggressive team and rivals.

Boston has got a pretty good team. I think they're third in the East right now. Pretty solid all the way through. If they stay healthy they should go far this year.

Montreal is a one line team unfortunately. I really like them but when your top line is the only one scoring it becomes tough to win games. Hopefully they can figure something out to get more scoring but I'm not holding my breath. They'll probably not make the playoffs with the way they've been playing.

Yay, I found the thread! Was wondering why there wasn't one, now I know.

Anywho, as geeogree as heard me say many times before, I am a Pittsburgh fan. Love the Pens, especially Malkin, Orpik, Fleury, and Crosby.

I hate, HATE the Detriot Red Wings and the Anaheim Ducks. And Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals. Great player, but I just hate him. Same with the Red Wings really. The Ducks... well... let's face it, they started off as a team created by Disney because of a movie. They've been good in the past but especially this season they are just pathetic.

I'm also a fan of the Los Angeles Kings (gotta root for the home team), and I have to say that I am insanely impressed at how well they are doing this season. The shameless Pens fan in me credits adding Scuderi to the team, as he's another fav player of mine, but I know that it is really a group effort. Also really impressed with Simmonds (#17) and Doughty as well as Jonathan Quick, the goalie. So very talented for being so young, makes me feel inadequate.

Third favorite team is the San Jose Sharks. Another really good team, and my boyfriends number one favorite. Love Nabby and Heatley, especially Nabby. Amazing goalie. Just wish they wouldn't choke in the playoffs (damn you Thorton).

Another set of really good teams that I've enjoyed watching play this season have been the Coyotes and the Sabres. Both were doing so bad last season and the turnaround has been really cool to watch.

Wow.... that pretty much sounds like the list of teams I cheer for. Except switch LA for Calgary and put Calgary as #1. But mostly just cause I'm born and raised here.

And all the hate I feel too. Ovechkin just bugs me.

The season has started? How are the Avalanche doing? I don't pay much attention to sports. Sports kinda died a bit back, it was red hot in the 90's for my teams the Avs won the cup and the broncos also won super bowl. But now that all the good players are gone I find it rather pointless watching

Favorite teams are Avalanche and Flames, don't know why I like Flames but I always liked their logo a lot even though I don't know anything about them

Favorite players of all time are probably Wayne Gretzky, Patrick Roy (Awesome goalie the best of the best, wiki says "In 2004, Roy was selected as the greatest goaltender in NHL history by a panel of 41 writers, coupled with a simultaneous fan poll."), Peter Forsberg, and Joe Sakic.

What is funny though is I think all of them are Canadian Goes to show the best hockey players are originate from Canada

Well, he might have been the greatest back in 2004.... but Brodeur has taken over that title. And rightfully so. He passed Roy in wins, probably has won a similar number of trophies and championships.... and is the league leader in shutouts which many hockey analysts say will never be broken...

so I guess he's 2nd now

Avalance are doing quite well considering they have nearly 0 name recognition on their team. Sakic retired because he mangled his hand in a snow blower sometime last season. Ended his career. He was good though. And Forsberg still plays but he plays in Europe because he's too slow for the current NHL. Too many knee problems.

Not all the best players are from Canada. But many of them are. I don't like to admit it but Ovechkin is top 2 in the world right now (right alongside Crosby).

Was looking at the standings today... Avalanche are doing ok, number 6 in the west. Calgary is actually in the number 8 spot.

And the season starts in October, Jigsaw.

Anyone watching the Olympic games? I'm waiting to see Canada vs USA.

The women's hockey has been interesting. Really surprised at how US trounced Russia... 13-0... wow.

Yeah, Calgary is doing pretty bad considering the team they have. They started out really strong and fell off in January pretty bad. The fact that we're in 8th is a pleasant surprise.

Yeah I've been watching the games. The hockey has been pretty interesting. Russian men lost their most recent game which was a surprise. Canada barely got passed Switzerland.

And yeah, Canada vs the US will be fun. As long as Canada doesn't play like a bunch of sissies like last game.

Switzerland gave them problems? The US skated circles around them, I mean, they have Hiller as the goalie for crying out loud. Maybe they practiced before playing Canada?

And don't feel too bad about Calgary... I mean, look at how bad Edmonton is doing. Last in the league is pretty damn bad. And I think Toronto is second worst.

Well, it wasn't that they had problems.... Hiller just stood on his head that game. And they got a couple lucky goals to keep the game tight. If Canada would stop playing fancy hockey and get down and dirty and beat up on other teams we would dominate. We're quite possibly the biggest team in the tournament. I think the average player is 6'2" and 220lbs. Why we aren't using our size to our advantage is beyond me.

That's the thing about the Olympic teams. Any team can beat any other team if they get lucky. Look at Slovakia vs. Russia. 2-1 for Slovakia when Russia is supposed to be the power house of this tournament.

Well, Canada does have Thorton, and he's a really big guy.

But yeah, why do the good games have to happen when I am working? I missed the US v Canada game last night, though I must say I am pleased about the 5-3 victory.

Is Babcock ever going to let Fluery play? Why put him on the team if you aren't going to play him?

There were at least 2 goals that were a joke in my opinion. But I'm not surprised the refs let them go. It's unfortunate but this is how Canada won the Gold in 2002 so I don't really care if we have to play an extra game. It might do us some good. We might actually start playing like we want to win. We've got the most skilled team in the tournament but we are playing like we can just beat anyone without any real effort.

And at this point I think it should be Luongo. Personally. I like Fleury but when you compare him to Brodeur and Luongo he doesn't compare yet. I don't blame Babcock for not playing him yet.

But why not pull Brodeur when he is playing bad?

All of the teams going in this round are pretty skilled, so I don't think it will be an easy time for anyone.

I don't know.... ask Babcock

And yeah, all the teams are pretty skilled... but Canada I think is the deepest team in the tournament. They -should- be doing better than they are. I just hope we get a medal. I don't care if we don't win gold. I just want a medal. We're too good to not at least get a medal.

We play russia in just over an hour though... that'll be the real test of whether Canada deserves a medal or not. Hopefully Crosby and Iginla will be on the same line. When they are together Iginla has 5 goals... when they're not together... he has 0.

I feel the same. I kinda want the US, Canada, and Russia to get the medals... in that order (sorry geeo, gotta go with the home team). Is it sad that there is a small part of me that actually wants Russia to not get anything just because of Ovechkin?

Well, Russia ain't gettin anything now!!!!!

Canada owns Russia 7-3. We skated circles around that team. Totally surprised... but happy about it. Now Canada has a good shot at a medal. Even if it's bronze we've still got a shot!

True... poor Malkin and Nabby. Oh well.

So the US beat the Swiss... again. Next they play Finland. Who does Canada play?

Finland should be a good match. They've got a pretty good team. With Kipper in net they could steal a win. Not likely... but I can hope

Canada plays the winner of Sweden and Slovakia. I hope for Slovakia just because they'll be a breeze compared to Sweden. Sweden won gold in 2006 and they have barely been mentioned but they have a solid team again. So most likely it'll be Canada vs Sweden.

Well, it's second period and no score in that game so far. Lot of penalties on the Swedish side I noticed though.

I checked and it was 2-0 for Slovakia and then I checked like 2 minutes later (it seemed like) and it was 2-2.

I can only hope Slovakia has at least 1 more goal in them . I don't want to see Sweden get through. They'll be a tough match in the semi-finals.

So yeah... Canada just won the gold against the US in overtime. Damn that was an awesome game. And while I am really sad that we lost (Miller looked crushed), I am happy the winning goal was by Crosby.

I was really hoping to win though, we did so well despite what everyone was saying about us.

So that makes Canada with the gold, USA with the silver, and the bronze goes Finland. Ryan Miller did get MVP though, which I am happy about because I really think he earned it.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH YEAH!

Crosby with the game winning goal... Iginla with the game winning assist I couldn't really be happier about the result.

New York Rangers fan here...That was an awesome Hockey final for the Olympics..I dont think North America Hockey could have asked for a better final.

well, trade deadline day is over....

http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=60529

that is a list of the trades that happened... no really big names moved around. Looks like most teams were either picking up 2nd or 3rd line pieces or making moves to build for next season. Toronto and a lot of the SE division did a LOT of selling.

There were a few moves here and there of players that were probably looking for a new home... but after the Kovalchuk deal pre-olympics there weren't any trades that really made a big impact.

Aww, they traded Caputi. Sadness. Well, I look forward to seeing how the trades work out.

yeah.... and they got Ponikarovsky....

not sure what that is about.

But yeah, there were some more trades after I posted... but still, nothing really HUGE.

Ryan Whitney for Vishnovsky was fairly big... but again, not a huge trade. Defenceman for defenceman doesn't really shock much

Yeah, not really. So do you think these trades will really shake up anything standings-wise or not really?

for the most part no. No big names were moved.... and the "middle" people that did move aren't big enough impact players to make a difference.

I'm confused about Calgary. Staios and Toskola? It's like Calgary is picking up a bunch of Toronto failures and pretending like they'll make a difference. And Staios is 36... he's not going to make a big difference =/. I'm expecting Calgary to not make the playoffs. Not sure what this team will do after that happens. Our star power is dwindling unfortunately.

Last I checked they were still in the running, though very low (I think they are number eight)... but then that was during the Olympic break so I don't know how the standings have changed since games started up again. But yeah, I noticed that Toronto traded a lot of players.

yeah... Toronto did trade a lot of players... and we picked up 5 of them

and we're 9th. Right behind Detroit. But I expect Detroit to really start making a push. Unless Nashville really falters I don't think Calgary will catch anyone higher up than that and facing either San Jose or Chicago first round is basically a 5 game series at best my hopes for Calgary are pretty low.

Just remember, the Ducks took out San Jose in round one last season... not that I want that to happen again. As for the Red Wings, they can try all they like but I really don't see them making the cut this year, and even if they do it would most likely be at number 8... and the Sharks have just been too good against them this season for me to see it going past the first round.

As long as Thorton doesn't choke again.

yeah.... but the ducks last year are better than Calgary this year. We don't stand a chance against San Jose or Chicago. We just don't.

And yeah, Detroit hasn't been good either... but they are finally healthy. They have all their players back right now.

I'm just not putting my hopes on Calgary this year. They won't make it.

Well, you are welcome to join me in rooting for the Pens again.

I plan to. I've been a fan of them for quite a few years now. Before they went to the finals or won the cup.

I also plan to cheer for the Canucks, any team that plays against Washington, Pittsburgh.... not sure who else. Kind of depends on how the final 20 games go.

Why didn't the Red Winged chickens cross the road? Cause the Canucks where holding a Stanley Cup on the other side

I wish the red wings the worst of luck they are very anti-canadian and deserve a beatin' badly Someone kill the wings, anyone!

many of us hope that happens.

This could be the first time in almost 20 years that they don't make the playoffs. I wouldn't be too sad about that. It's about time that other teams had more of a chance at winning.

I so agree, Red Wings need a time out. Bastards.

Here's to hoping the Capitals go out in the first round of the playoffs. *mind-stabs Ovechkin*

heh, well Calgary just beat Detroit last night to take 8th spot in the west and push Detroit out of the playoffs again. I'm hoping Calgary can pull off the upset and keep Detroit out for the first time in 19 years.


And yes, Washington out first round!!!! Not likely, but we can hope

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=521416

So, Brian Campbell is probably out for the rest of the season because of a late hit by Ovechkin. The hit got him a 5 minute major and game misconduct.... and I think based on how badly Campbell got injured that Ovechkin deserves a suspension. I'm tired of guys getting injured by late/dirty hits and getting away with it. If you take someone out for the rest of the season why in the world do you deserve to continue to play??? That's crap.

That motherf*cking piece of sh!t! (see, I censored my self). I don't care if he "feels bad" about the hit, he shouldn't have done it. Gods, I hate Ovechkin! They should totally suspend him for this.

I've read comments saying that the hit wasn't that bad.... but when a buy is 3-5 feet away from the boards.... you shouldn't be pushing the guy at all.... he had passed the puck away already... what is the need to hit him at all? It's just another in a list of dirty hits by Ovechkin.

But he's "too important" to the league to punish.... somehow.

I also saw some people saying that they'll punish Ovi so that Crosby can win the scoring title.... as if that has ANYTHING to do with Ovechkins dirty hits.

While Crosby winning the scoring title would be nice, it is irrelevant.

Seriously, why can athletes be punished when they do something wrong? Does a guy have to die from a hit to make it happen?

Well, apparently giving someone a Grade 2 concussion isn't enough...

Breaking a collar bone isn't enough....

but a hit from behind where the other player isn't injured will get you 5 games....

As long as you aren't a star player for the league....

I think the Caps are just afraid that without Ovechkin they will lose the top spot.

Edit: Two game suspension. Token punishment, he should have got more.

I'm getting tired of the inconsistencies of the suspensions. 8 games for the hit on Seabrook, but Ovi gets 2 for fracturing ribs?

They need to overhaul the whole system. Forget about who got what suspension 6 months ago and deal with it on a case by case basis. I personally think that length of injury should be considered. I think punishments for illegal hits (blind side, head shots, boarding, etc) should be more severe than a "clean check" that went wrong.... if that makes sense.


I did hear a suggestion about a possible way to deal with the problem. If your team has a player that gets suspended.... you lose his spot on your roster for the games he's gone. So instead of dressing 12 forwards and 6 defencemen you only get 17 total. A rule like that would probably result in shorter suspensions because you can't play 17 players for a 20 game suspension.... but it was an interesting idea.

Don't know how well that would work, but I do agree that the punishment should match the offense. Two games is a joke, it really is.

I love and hate the same team the Flyers, I like them because there from PA and I;m from PA, but I hate them because all Philly teams suck at sports...I truly do not love but utterly hate the Eagles while we are talking sports, just had to throw that in there....

so cheer for the Penguins then if you're from PA. Pittsburgh?!?

At least they know how to win.

Damn straight we do!