The Official MERB 2011-2012 NHL Hockey Thread

[lgna69xxx]

M8

I agree but dont you see where all this last bunch of crap was fueled from? So called "hockey fans" who do not even follow the sport, coming in here with the objective or sole intention to start trouble because of the beatdown their other team was taking in another thread for so long, which btw, they managed to stop the pain over there as well by getting that thread closed also. The way to solve all this is simple... Zero tolerance in the "Official" threads (any sport) and a harsh sentence if anyone breaks the rules (2 month suspension maybe? i think permanent is a bit harsh, people are human ya know and do make mistakes) and have a free for all thread for the 2 main sports threads on merb (baseball and hockey) for those who like lockerroom antics and a little humor and fun at times as long as it is not personal with hateful words or actions.

Mod 8, no offense but i have played sports all my life, been around them professionally a good part of my life, and it is not so much as acting like children, but more so a passion for the games and teams than anything else, at least with myself, i can see, however the casual or even NON fan that do seem to use child like antics more so to get others going on purpose, thats why the need for a free for all thread because it is only a matter of time before they are banned and the sports sections gone, and thats not fair to the rest of us, my above scenario would work, so as long as you stick to your guns about zero tolerance in here.

Take a look at any online sports boards that are mildly moderated and you will see a lot worse than whats ever gone on here. One of the reasons i post on merb sports is because it is actually calmer here, if you can believe that! LOL!, serious.

If people would keep the free for all attitude in that thread only, I would not have a problem. Unfortunately they do not and that attitude continues in this thread. This is supposed to be an adult board but for some reason, certain posters prefer to behave like children. This is the consequence of that behavior. If the members who post in this thread are able to keep themselves under control, I may relax the rules over time.


Mod 8

 

[lgna69xxx]

Miller was very shaky even before he got injured... read a rumor somewhere last week he would not object to a trade. I think he was insulted his team did not take care of business the night lucic ran him over. Kinda found out who his friends were i guess.

Ryan Miller returns tonight after three week absence

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller will dress for the first time in nearly three weeks when the Sabres host the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night.

Miller, who hasn't played since sustaining a concussion when Boston's Milan Lucic bowled him over in Buffalo's loss to the Bruins on Nov. 12, is expected to back up Jhonas Enroth against Detroit.

Miller may get his first start since the injury on Saturday when the Sabres play at Nashville.

Miller began taking shots on the ice earlier in the week, and participated in his first full practice on Wednesday.

The Sabres (13-10-1) were 3-4-1 without Miller.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/7306607/ryan-miller-buffalo-sabres-returning-3-week-absence

 

[Doc Holliday]

Miller was very shaky even before he got injured... read a rumor somewhere last week he would not object to a trade. I think he was insulted his team did not take care of business the night lucic ran him over. Kinda found out who his friends were i guess.

Miller indeed had been struggling prior to the Lucic hit. If he was indeed insulted after being run over, he should have been pissed off at his GM, Darcy Regier, as much as at his former players. When a GM builds a team that is soft on the character level, it should be expected that the lack of truculence & payback by that team's players will be the norm, and not the exception. You wouldn't have seen this happen on a Brian Burke team.

 

[lgna69xxx]

To bad with all Pegula's money he couldnt buy any guts. I feel bad for Miller, he is/was a great goalie but knowing his team does not have his back nor tough enuf as they stand now, he may be better off going elsewhere.

Miller indeed had been struggling prior to the Lucic hit. If he was indeed insulted after being run over, he should have been pissed off at his GM, Darcy Regier, as much as at his former players. When a GM builds a team that is soft on the character level, it should be expected that the lack of truculence & payback by that team's players will be the norm, and not the exception. You wouldn't have seen this happen on a Brian Burke team.

 

[Doc Holliday]

To bad with all Pegula's money he couldnt buy any guts. I feel bad for Miller, he is/was a great goalie but knowing his team does not have his back nor tough enuf as they stand now, he may be better off going elsewhere.

What you say is correct. With his very deep pockets, Pegula should consider acquiring a heavyweight. Colton Orr is available for the right price. Would the Sabres be willing to part with a 2nd-rounder in order to obtain one of the league's top enforcers over the past 5-6 years?

 

[Doc Holliday]

Latest on NHL realignment

(ESPN) We could have a clear picture of how the NHL will align for the 2012-13 season as early as next week.

Sportsnet's John Shannon suggests the new realignment plan will be decided on at the annual Board of Governors' meeting next Monday and Tuesday in Pebble Beach. And Shannon reports there are two proposals in play. The first involves a simple Winnipeg Jets/Detroit Red Wings swap from East to West. The other is more complex:

"... The second proposal is very close to the one we have been discussing for a few months that would see the removal of the two conferences (and six divisions) for four divisions and would include a more balanced schedule. It would appease the Wings' demand that, if in fact they can't be in the East, every team in the league would play a minimum of one home-and-home series. That proposal would also call for two rounds of divisional playoffs, which would help maintain the regional rivalries, if they don't play as many games against each other in the regular season ..."

A recent proposal from CBC's Elliotte Friedman drew some criticism for assigning the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins to different divisions. Otherwise, that arrangement could be close to what the league has in mind.

It's also worth noting that the NHL Commissioner wants this issue resolved -- ASAP.

"If we don't get it done now, we're going to be in really tough shape if we don't get it done by the All-Star Game," Gary Bettman said. "I don't even think we can wait that long. But I haven't figured out what we'll do if it doesn't happen (next week)."

 

[lgna69xxx]

A 2nd rounder for Orr? That my friend would be yet another fleecing by Brain, i mean BRIAN Burke!... i do that trade in a heartbeat. Someone should put an article out called "The Fleecings of the Brain"

What you say is correct. With his very deep pockets, Pegula should consider acquiring a heavyweight. Colton Orr is available for the right price. Would the Sabres be willing to part with a 2nd-rounder in order to obtain one of the league's top enforcers over the past 5-6 years?

 

[Doc Holliday]

A 2nd rounder for Orr? That my friend would be yet another fleecing by Brain, i mean BRIAN Burke!... i do that trade in a heartbeat. Someone should put an article out called "The Fleecings of the Brain"

I agree. However, to my defense, which of his acquisitions HAVE NOT been a fleecing?

On another note, i'm currently watching the Mtl/LA game & just heard that Andrei Markov will be out at least another 3-4 weeks since he needs another operation (arthroscopic) on his injured knee.

 

[joelcairo]

It might undo a tiny part of the damage: Burke signed Orr as a free agent in 2009. Going into this season Orr was a cumulative minus five with the Leafs with 8 points in 128 games. He didn't challenge either of the Sedin twins for the two scoring championships they won in those two years. In fairness however he did miss 36 games last year. (This year you know about!). To his credit Orr spent 367 minutes in the box over those two seasons, thereby giving the Leafs many opportunities to practice their PK.

 

[lgna69xxx]

My point exactly............. and yea i was reading another board, a habs fan board btw, and this one guy says he is in the medical field (ya ya i know, its the internet) and said with all the delays, and the seriousness of his injuries, he is most likely done for good. If he does play, he could tweak his knee by himself just from skating, let alone someone hits him there again, which is sure to happen. Poor guy, i really hate to see a great player end his career this way, even tho he is a hab.

(of course since this is the internet, he will probably come back and play his best hockey ever :lol

I agree. However, to my defense, which of his acquisitions HAVE NOT been a fleecing?

On another note, i'm currently watching the Mtl/LA game & just heard that Andrei Markov will be out at least another 3-4 weeks since he needs another operation (arthroscopic) on his injured knee.

 

[joelcairo]

My point exactly............. and yea i was reading another board, a habs fan board btw, and this one guy says he is in the medical field (ya ya i know, its the internet) and said with all the delays, and the seriousness of his injuries, he is most likely done for good. If he does play, he could tweak his knee by himself just from skating, let alone someone hits him there again, which is sure to happen. Poor guy, i really hate to see a great player end his career this way, even tho he is a hab.

(of course since this is the internet, he will probably come back and play his best hockey ever :lol

I think Markov is toast. He'll play again but not for long. Then more rehab, another attempt, another injury, and then a tearful retirement announcement.

 

[lgna69xxx]

What damage? Colton is there to play a role that was needed the last 2 seasons, he got hurt, so that limited his role, and this year, Wilson has adapted to the NEW NHL which is speed and skill, something Orr has little of, and besides it is only money and the Leafs have more of that than any team in the NHL. Once again the "list" just came out.

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/sports/article/172199--leafs-ranked-most-valuable-nhl-team

It might undo a tiny part of the damage: Burke signed Orr as a free agent in 2009. Going into this season Orr was a cumulative minus five with the Leafs with 8 points in 128 games. He didn't challenge either of the Sedin twins for the two scoring championships they won in those two years. In fairness however he did miss 36 games last year. (This year you know about!). To his credit Orr spent 367 minutes in the box over those two seasons, thereby giving the Leafs many opportunities to practice their PK.

 

[joelcairo]

Wilson has adapted to the NEW NHL which is speed and skill, something Orr has little of.

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/sports/article/172199--leafs-ranked-most-valuable-nhl-team

Quite true.

 

[Doc Holliday]

i really hate to see a great player end his career this way....

Great? To whose eyes? Andrei Markov was a 'very good' player when he was healthy. He may have been 'great' to some hab fans' eyes, but lets' be honest here. Just like some people who thought last year that P.K. Subban was the great thing since Bobby Orr. I mean, come on! Now, he's been struggling all season long & has barely more points that Josh Gorges.

But i do agree with you that it's extremely unfortunate if Markov's career is compromised. However, those things happen. Good promising careers have ended prematurely in the past: Michel Briere, Gord Kluzak, Bryan Berard, Pat Lafontaine, Normand Leveille, Eric Lindros & Bobby Orr, just to name a few.

 

[Doc Holliday]

What damage? Colton is there to play a role that was needed the last 2 seasons, he got hurt, so that limited his role, and this year, Wilson has adapted to the NEW NHL which is speed and skill, something Orr has little of, and besides it is only money and the Leafs have more of that than any team in the NHL. Once again the "list" just came out.

Mister 69, Mr. Cairo is partly correct. However, as you pointed out, Colton Orr (no relation to Bobby) did perform his role greatly as the team's enforcer. He did whatever was expected of him, and more. I would like to add that the addition of Michael Komisarek hasn't fullfilled its expectations......yet!

But all in all, most of Mr. Burke's acquistions so far have been fleecings. There is no arguement there.

 

[lgna69xxx]

.......... hmmmmmmmmm, ok. anyways, i think Wilson has always wanted that style for his team in Toronto to play, just didnt have the players to do so and Burke finally realised he had to change with the way the league has changed and get younger, quicker, and more skilled. Good posts JC.

Quite true.

 

[joelcairo]

it is only money and the Leafs have more of that than any team in the NHL.

Also quite true...but the problem is that there's a little thing called a salary cap so even if the team has no problems spending $$$ it should still try to spend it wisely. Every dollar for Orr that counts against the cap COULD have gone towards the salary of a productive player instead. Poor cap management (just like the Habs with Markov - although for very different reasons).

 

[Doc Holliday]

Also quite true...but the problem is that there's a little thing called a salary cap so even if the team has no problems spending $$$ it should still try to spend it wisely. Every dollar for Orr that counts against the cap COULD have gone towards the salary of a productive player instead. Poor cap management (just like the Habs with Markov - although for very different reasons).

You make a good point. However, tell this to teams like Buffalo, Detroit & Montreal that spending a bit of $$ on a quality enforcer isn't spending wisely. Recently, Buffalo looked silly (and got the crap beat out of them) for attempting to 'avenge' Ryan Miller against Boston.

p.s. Delete 'Detroit' from my post if Todd Bertuzzi is considered an enforcer.

 

[lgna69xxx]

It is also a little thing called DEPTH, which the Leafs have a plethora of these days, and having Orr and Rosehill is quite nice if any team wants to go toe to toe in thug-o-nomics 101. The Leafs having a ton of money, true does not mean they can go out and buy the best players at every position because of the cap but it does mean they can hire the best goalies coach alive, hire the best scouting department, front office brains, best PR people, and the list goes on and on. Since Burke got here, he has done all this and after only 3 years of absolutely little to work with, he has turned the titantic around and is bringing that bitch back up from the bottom of the ocean. It wont happen overnite like he said, and it hasnt, but it is/will happen under Burke's watch. (A Stanley Cup would be nice, but those things cant be predicted, the playoffs will be a start, a very good start)

I'm sure after saying this we will get our butts kicked tonight but even if boston beats us 6 times this year, it is only 6 games, i am not worried. I am just happy i am seeing what i new Burke would do for this orginization when very few believed in the man.

Also quite true...but the problem is that there's a little thing called a salary cap so even if the team has no problems spending $$$ it should still try to spend it wisely. Every dollar for Orr that counts against the cap COULD have gone towards the salary of a productive player instead. Poor cap management (just like the Habs with Markov - although for very different reasons).

 

[Doc Holliday]

It is also a little thing called DEPTH, which the Leafs have a plethora of these days, and having Orr and Rosehill is quite nice if any team wants to go toe to toe in thug-o-nomics 101. The Leafs having a ton of money, true does not mean they can go out and buy the best players at every position because of the cap but it does mean they can hire the best goalies coach alive, hire the best scouting department, front office brains, best PR people, and the list goes on and on. Since Burke got here, he has done all this and after only 3 years of absolutely little to work with, he has turned the titantic around and is bringing that bitch back up from the bottom of the ocean. It wont happen overnite like he said, and it hasnt, but it is/will happen under Burke's watch. (A Stanley Cup would be nice, but those things cant be predicted, the playoffs will be a start, a very good start)

I'm sure after saying this we will get our butts kicked tonight but even if boston beats us 6 times this year, it is only 6 games, i am not worried. I am just happy i am seeing what i new Burke would do for this orginization when very few believed in the man.

Mister 69, it's hard to argue against anything you've just posted. You're absolutely correct!

If a man can raise this titanic of a team from the depths of an ocean, it's Brian Burke! He is indeed the type of GM to just raise this gargantuan from the bottom of the Atlantic. And in regards to tonight's game, you are again correct in stating that the Bruins will likely prevail. However, if the league's 2nd-youngest team can learn from these regular-season defeats against their #1 adversary, then maybe they'll use this valuable experience during the upcoming playoffs & prevail over these same Bruins. What a series this would be!