[Sports] 2007-08 NHL season discussion thread

Originally Posted by Capo in last season's thread

My only hope for this year is that the Pens finally get Malkin. And that they don't get moved.

Certain circles of people believe that being too greedy is bad luck. So I hereby blame Capo for the Penguins getting thrown out in 5 by the Senators (who yet again proved my theory that teams who beat the team I root for in the playoffs eventually lose it all...fucking Colts). Still, the Penguins did get Malkin (2006-07 Rookie of the Year) and the Penguins are moving...down the street from where they are now. So since that's no longer an issue, how about this:

2007-08 Penguins: Stanley Cup runners-up.

The Penguins defense notwithstanding, there is reason to believe offense league-wide will get a shot in the arm this year. There will likely be another "crackdown" on obstruction this year, and there's actually been an interesting amendment to the penalty shot rule:

Quote:

A player may now be awarded a free shot if he is fouled on a clear breakaway anywhere in the neutral or attacking zones. Previously, a penalty shot was awarded only when a player on a clear breakaway was fouled on the attacking side of the centre line.

First, let me nip this in the bud: the NHL's past may be getting shoved out a window, but the league really could use the rule changes we've been seeing. I'm still holding out for a goal-widening or goalie equipment shrinking.

Second, I love this change. They should've done it when they eliminated the two-line pass infraction.

This year, the NHL is utilizing a new jersey "system," and while for some teams that simply means doing the old copypasta with their current designs, a few teams are coming out with new logos and new jersey designs altogether. So far (as of the time of this writing) no one has officially unveiled their new looks (the Bruins didn't really show off everything about their new jerseys), but by this time tonight we will have seen at least three teams slather their draft picks with brand-new duds (the Blue Jackets, using their old third-jersey logo as their main one; the Bruins, who already unveiled their updated logo and kinda showed off their new jersey; and the Capitals, who will going back to red-white-and-blue). For me, this is the most exciting part of the offseason: who's going to change their look?

The problem with the league wasn't a lack of goals it was a lack of offense. If anyone actually thinks that making the net a bit wider so what was before a shot ringing off the post is now a goal will improve the game, they need to have their head examined.

Increasing the tempo of the game and allowing skill players to use their abilities, that is what makes the game exciting. Not the same boring clutch and grab bullshit with an extra goal here and there. Some of the most exciting games I've seen have ended 1-0 or 2-1.

I don't really have a problem with changing goaltending equipment because it should be about protection first, not increasing surface area for stopping the puck. Changing the dimensions of the net, though, ugh. I hope the game is never ruined like that.

I totally support the penalty shot change, now to see if their "crackdown on obstruction" actually remains one through the entire season and the playoffs, unlike last year.

So I cannot believe Cherepanov dropped so far down the draft, but I am absolutely loving that he's now a Blueshirt, well after the almost certain contract dispute that is.

What are they planning on doing with penalty shots?

I here by declare this thread to be named "Sergei Gonchar Appreciation Thread"

Originally Posted by Borg1982

What are they planning on doing with penalty shots?

How about reading my post.

Originally Posted by The Dopefish

How about reading my post.

I skipped the second quote then when I read it yesterday.

Goal widening would be bad. Equipment shrinking by a little bit would be good.

I disagree with the penalty shot idea. It's called NEUTRAL ZONE for a reason.

The thing about penalty shots is that in order to have one occur, there has to be a penalty. How often do you see people getting penalties (interference, mostly) on breakaways that are in the neutral zone?

So you mean it might help clear up the problem of people interfering on purpose? Maybe, yeah.

My Orange and Black signed Briere to an 8 year $52 million deal.

Rangers got both Drury(5yrs/35.25mil) and Gomez (7yrs/51.5mil.) I'm a little worried about us signing our RFA and Shanahan but hopefully Sather has a plan.

I must say I'm not really digging this Flyers player stacking. This sucks ass for the Pens.

I am sure they will still be kicking the flyers ass as usual, next year too dopefish.

Don't feel too bad, though, Wojo. Pens need defense. They'll get Rafalski, I'm sure.

Originally Posted by The Dopefish

Don't feel too bad, though, Wojo. Pens need defense. They'll get Rafalski, I'm sure.

I wouldn't be so sure now.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212429&hubname=nhl

Originally Posted by DragoonKain

My Orange and Black signed Briere to an 8 year $52 million deal.

Which is also, ironically, a move that in one day, turned him from a hero to probably the most hated person in Buffalo.

Originally Posted by Wojo

I wouldn't be so sure now.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212429&hubname=nhl

Pitts just locked up Darryl Sydor to a two year, $5mil contract according to TSN. Apparently they also just picked up Sykora for two years as well.

It is nice to finally have a GM that has a vision of how he wants to build a team. Clarkie was abysmal.

Homer!!

Originally Posted by CapturedPenguin

Pitts just locked up Darryl Sydor to a two year, $5mil contract according to TSN. Apparently they also just picked up Sykora for two years as well.

"Alright Ray, you did a pretty good job as GM in your first year. We weren't sure you'd get us to the playoffs, but you really did a good thing landing a defensive veteran forward like Gary Roberts. I think, this year, we could use a little improvement on the blue line."

"MORE DEFENSIVE FORWARDS"