NHL

[Krookie]

Yeah, I'm pushing for the Sharks to win it right now, Devils would be nice too

[Volourn]

Rangers for THA W! If not, it'll probably be Anaheim as they have Chris Pronger who is severely underrated and should have won MVP of the playoffs last season, and the season before. He should also have more Norris trophies too.

[Hurlshort]

Yeah, Pronger is also a really good sport. He plays a clean game and that's why he's the classiest guy in the league.

 

Seriously, if you want to hero worship a Ducks defenseman, try Niedermeyer. He plays top notch defense, and he doesn't try and injure the opposition.

[alanschu]

I have a hard time arguing with Nicklas Lidstrom's domination over the Norris trophies in recent years.

 

 

Every time I watch him play I am usually awestruck by his awesomeness at both ends of the ice. He makes the game look soooo easy.

[Hurlshort]

I agree. As much as I'm tired with Lidstrom constantly winning, he's a simply gigantic reason why Detroit is always a top team. I wonder how many years he has left, he just doesn't seem to slow down.

 

I'm pretty biased, but I can see Brian Campbell winning a Norris down the road. It's hard to argue with what a tremendous impact he's made, considering the Sharks haven't lost in regulation since they acquired him.

 

Chara is also really coming into his game. He's the big reason the Bruins are close to making the playoffs this year.

 

I'm surprised Volourn supports Pronger. The guy has been suspended like 7 times because of shady play. I thought Volourn was the same guy who argued against the brutality of fighting? You really support a guy who stomps down on another player with his blade?

[Kor Qel Droma]

Well, that's the thing with Vologic. Only one person really truely understands it.

 

I, too, am tired of seeing Lidstrom win the Norris year after year, but like Alan was alluding to, he is just about the smartest d-man in the league. Although Volo is right on one point, Pronger should have won the award for the year of the Oilers' cup run.

[Volourn]

"I'm surprised Volourn supports Pronger. The guy has been suspended like 7 times because of shady play. I thought Volourn was the same guy who argued against the brutality of fighting? You really support a guy who stomps down on another player with his blade?"

 

That's becuase you are confused, and ignorant. I support Pronger's skill as a player. I abhore his stupidness when it comes to the cheap shots. I support him being punished when he does dumb things. However, none of that changes the fact that Chris Pronger is ana wesome player, and the best defenseman in the league.

 

It's no coincidence that a Pronger led Oiler squad made it to the Cup Finals defeating the overrated (but great) Neidermayer led Ducks. Then last year, w/o Pronger the Oielrs suck the big one, and there not really all that better this year while Ducks will likely make it to the Conference Finals at the worst.. again.. with Pronger.

 

Heck, Gordie Howe is a known goon who loved to do cheap shots, and hurt people... but, who here is gonna claim that Gordie Howe was a horrible player who deserves to be in the Hall of Fame?

 

Lidstrom is a great defenseman. No doubt about it. But, Pronger is better. Pronger had who on the Oilers when they to the Finals? Nobody. Lidstrom had who when he won Cups? Oh yeah. Steve Yzerman, and Sergei Federov (when he was in his prime). And, as good as Selanne is he's no Yzerman or Federov (in their primes).

[Hurlshort]

I don't know why you need to call me ignorant when I ask you a question about your viewpoint. It's one thing to disagree with one another, but we don't need to be disrespectful as well.

 

As an aside, thank you for clarifying your opinion of Pronger. I get it, and before the stomping incident I was almost in agreement. He seemed like he matured over the last couple years and was focused more on playing good hockey and not losing his cool. Back in his younger days he helped the Blues win a President's trophy, but his hothead kept him in the penalty box for a good chunk of the playoffs and his team got bounced in the first round. He put that behind him in the last two seasons, so it was shocking to see him resort to that type of violence.

[alanschu]

Pronger was huge for the Oilers, but that cup run was lightning in a bottle, with lots of players playing amazing.

 

As for the Oilers suckiness last year, they were in the playoff hunt until Ryan Smyth was traded, then....kaboom. The Dive for Five...which failed.....but we got Gagner, so it's all good!

 

 

Hurlshot, wasn't that first round exit the same year where the Blues all got ravaged by the flu?

 

 

Lidstrom is a great defenseman. No doubt about it. But, Pronger is better. Pronger had who on the Oilers when they to the Finals? Nobody. Lidstrom had who when he won Cups? Oh yeah. Steve Yzerman, and Sergei Federov (when he was in his prime). And, as good as Selanne is he's no Yzerman or Federov (in their primes).

 

 

You won't find much of an argument from me if you're saying that good teams win cups. Pronger didn't take the Oilers to the finals alone either...he had help too. Pronger is amaaaaazing, but if he were to be traded straight up for Nick Lidstrom, I would not have been disappointed at all.

 

I prefer Lidstrom.

Edited April 4, 2008 by alanschu

[Kor Qel Droma]

Hahaha Calgary.

[Deraldin]

Montreal eliminated Buffalo from the playoff race tonight with a 3-1 win. Buffalo won the President's Trophy last season and is out of the playoffs this season. Interestingly enough, the only other team to do that in the expansion era is (according to TSN) Montreal.

[Volourn]

'It's one thing to disagree with one another, but we don't need to be disrespectful as well."

 

Have you read the sports threads here? Pick one. Whether it be baseball, football, or hockey; you and your goon squad have personally attacked me nonstop. Did I whine about it? No. I just returned the favor. If you want me to be respectful.. return the favor.

 

 

 

"Pronger didn't take the Oilers to the finals alone either...he had help too"

 

Please. his help is pathetic. So patehtic that the team haven't even made the playoffs since he left. It's not a coincidence. And, again, just look at the Pronger led Oilers to any of the Detroit teams that Lidstrom has been on. Pronger hasn't played with a Yzerman. Heck, Lidstrom had Federov too. And, let's not forget one fo those cups they had one of the best goalies of all time - not to mention two other goalies who were/are pretty darn good themselves.

 

In the past, Lidstrom wa sbetter. But, currently, it has to be Pronegr; but of course he won't get credit for that b/c some people whine about a) the way he elft the Oilers, and/or b) his goonnish ways... which sure doesn't stop people kissing the butts of punks like Howe.

 

 

P.S. Ranger sin the playoffs! JAGR AND LUNDQVIST DO IT AGAIN!

Edited April 4, 2008 by Volourn

[Kor Qel Droma]

Volorant!

 

 

 

Edmonton is trying to pad their PK stats tonight against Vancouver. Of course, if we quit taking stoopid penalties (please don't resign Mattieu Roy next year, Kevin Lowe!) we'd have more shots.

[mkreku]

Wow.. the Leafs went golfing early this year.. Hey, guys, two more games to play! Come back!

 

I think it was the janitor and a couple of bums from the stands that lost 8-2 to Ottawa last night.

[alanschu]

"Pronger didn't take the Oilers to the finals alone either...he had help too"

 

Please. his help is pathetic.

 

Pronger was not the only player that had a good playoffs for the Oilers in 2006. That's all I am going to say on the issue.

 

 

So patehtic that the team haven't even made the playoffs since he left. It's not a coincidence.

 

The team barely made the playoffs with Pronger, so it's not really a giant leap that in seasons immediately following his departure, the team wasn't as good.

 

 

And, again, just look at the Pronger led Oilers to any of the Detroit teams that Lidstrom has been on. Pronger hasn't played with a Yzerman. Heck, Lidstrom had Federov too. And, let's not forget one fo those cups they had one of the best goalies of all time - not to mention two other goalies who were/are pretty darn good themselves.

 

Why are you talking championships and Stanley Cups? I don't think anyone here disputed that the Detroit Red Wings were a better team than the Edmonton Oilers, but we aren't talking about that. I am not considering Lidstrom a superior defenseman because he has won more Stanley Cups than Chris Pronger.

 

 

In the past, Lidstrom wa sbetter. But, currently, it has to be Pronegr; but of course he won't get credit for that b/c some people whine about a) the way he elft the Oilers, and/or b) his goonnish ways... which sure doesn't stop people kissing the butts of punks like Howe.

 

Are you implying that my reasons for preferring Lidstrom over Pronger as best defenseman in the league is because of his departure from the Oilers?

[Kelverin]

Go Capitals....that's all I got.

[Hurlshort]

Go Capitals....that's all I got.

I'm excited to see Ovechkin in the playoffs. I'm not quite sure who will be outside looking in, but I'm guessing it will be Philly. I want to see the Bruins too, so I'm hoping they manage to hold on as well. The East should have some great match ups.

 

I'm guessing San Jose will play Calgary. That's a tough match up, Iginla and Kipper can steal games. It's also a pretty personal match up, former coach, former players, yada yada.

 

I never grew up watching Gordie Howe, so I can't say I know much about his playing style. I know he was a fighter, but fighting doesn't get you suspended in this league, so I'm not sure if that qualifies as goonery. Pronger is also not playing in Howe's era. I don't know how Gordie Howe's behavior excuses Pronger from dirty stuff. Nobody here has questioned Pronger's ability, but I'm surprised Volourn takes it so personal that people have an issue with him. Both of his reasons stated (leaving Edmonton and attempting to injure others) are pretty solid reasons to dislike a player. There is emotion in sports both as a player and a fan, so it's perfectly reasonable to expect negative emotions to some players, just as you have positive ones for others.

 

But hey, that's just my ignorant uninformed opinion.

[alanschu]

Pffft, go back to your goon squad!

[Kor Qel Droma]

The playoffs aren't looking like they will be much fun for Calgary or Ottawa.

[Hurlshort]

The Caps made it. Pretty exciting that they had to clinch the division in order to go to the playoffs. It was 3rd place or 9th place

[Kor Qel Droma]

Even though the Canucks were routed by the Flames tonight, I'd like to tip my hat to Trevor Linden. Ahhh, memories of the '94 cup finals...

 

Even though I'm lolling at the Viagra sign right above the exit to the Canucks dressing room.

 

I wonder if Markus Naslund just played his last game in a Canucks Jersey as well. He'd better not end up in Anaheim next season.

 

And I think it's great that the Caps are going to get a taste of the playoffs. I think if they match up with Ottawa in the first round they've got a pretty good shot at advancing. Phildelphia is hot again, so that may be a better series to watch.

 

First round starts April 9th, does it not?

[Deraldin]

The Flyers just shut out the Penguins 2-0 so Montreal has 1st in the East! Whoo!

[Volourn]

Rangers are 5th, and will face NJ. REVENGE WILL BE OURS FROM TWO SEASONS AGO! Rwarrr!

 

P.S. Lundqvist should be goalie of the year (or at least runner up). He should also be nominated for MVP though Ovechkin should win that EASILY! Pronger, Phaneuf, and Lidstrom should be the finalists for the defensmen of the year. Tough choice for winner though. Washington, or Boston coaches (i can't even name them lol that's how much I care) should be Coach of the Year. Price should be rookie of the year.

[Deraldin]

Washington, or Boston coaches (i can't even name them lol that's how much I care) should be Coach of the Year. Price should be rookie of the year.

 

Washington: Bruce Boudreau (I think that's how it's spelt)

Boston: Claude Julien (Montreal's coach last coach)

 

According to an informal TSN poll of NHL head coaches, Guy Carbonneau led for the Jack Adams. Link The Washington coach should get it though.

Edited April 7, 2008 by Deraldin

[Deraldin]

So, the matches are set. It's prediction time people! Who's out in the first round and who's going to keep going?