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Post by Dr. Drum on May 17, 2005 6:27:34 GMT -5
Your wife was in New Jersey for 2 weeks Drum? God have mercy on the citizenry! Yeah, you said it, bud! She’s got a much bigger mouth on her than I do – very outspoken. They all love her down there though. I think New Jerseyites are made of much sterner stuff than some o’ you weenies around here.  |
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Post by RocDoc on Jun 28, 2005 15:55:35 GMT -5
Roenick has a point, but it gets lost
Ed Moran, Philadelphia Daily News
Published June 28, 2005
Speaking his mind never has been a problem for Jeremy Roenick.
And given a chance to field a few questions on the status of the ongoing contract negotiations between the players union and the NHL, Philadelphia's star center did just that at a charity golf tournament in Presto, Pa., hosted by Pittsburgh owner-player Mario Lemieux during the weekend.
In speaking to the media, Roenick criticized the players union for not taking the deal the NHL offered in February and for ignoring the voice of a few players who stressed that the offer was better than the contract they are close to signing.
"The deal in February beats the (bleep) out of the deal we're gonna sign in July," Roenick said.
But Roenick tends to get more attention when he speaks out, particularly when he expressed his thoughts on the fans.
"If people are going to sit and chastise professional athletes for making a lot of money and being spoiled and being cocky--they need to look at one thing and that's to look at the deal that we are probably going to end up signing in the next three weeks.
"And they better understand that pro athletes are not cocky. Pro athletes care about the game ... Everybody out there who calls us spoiled because we play a game--they can all kiss my (expletive). They can all kiss my (expletive)."
It would be best not to call the players spoiled around Roenick.
What Roenick said is not new. It is an opinion that has been expressed by others, including Lemieux, who said the same thing Thursday at the start of the golf outing.
But Roenick probably could have said it a little better.
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Post by Meursault on Jul 5, 2005 14:46:51 GMT -5
Any thoughts on trying to make offense a bit stronger by making a few changes to the game?
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Post by rockysigman on Jul 5, 2005 16:35:59 GMT -5
Yeah, the first change in the game that I propose is that they actually play it every once in a while.
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Post by Dr. Drum on Jul 6, 2005 6:13:19 GMT -5
Plenty of hockey going on last year – just not NHL. The game’s bigger than one league.
As for NHL rule changes, I don’t want them to dick around with the rules too much trying to produce higher scoring games. Offence is all well and good but I’ve seen plenty of exciting 1-0, 1-1, 2-1 games. It’s hockey, not basketball.
Eliminating the centre red line, two-line pass rule, etc. – fine, I’m all for it. Handicapping the goalies, I’m not so hot on. Equipment changes; pad and glove sizes, sure, have a look at it. But for Christ’s sake, leave stuff like the size of the nets alone!
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Post by RocDoc on Aug 5, 2005 15:18:19 GMT -5
File in the 'This NEVER Happens In Chicago'- Dept, under 'Holy Shit!':
Hawks sign top goalie
The Associated Press
Published August 5, 2005, 2:31 PM CDT
Stanley Cup-winning goalie Nikolai Khabibulin signed a four-year, $27 million contract with the Blackhawks on Friday, leaving the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
Khabibulin played in 55 regular-season games for the Lightning during 2003-04, posting a 28-19-7 record with three shutouts, a 2.33 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.
In the playoffs, he was 16-7 with an NHL-best five shutouts. His 1.71 goals-against average ranked second.
The 32-year-old Khabibulin is 209-187-58 in 476 regular-season games with 35 shutouts and a 2.61 goals-against average for Winnipeg-Phoenix and Tampa Bay during his nine NHL seasons. He is 31-25 with six shutouts in the playoffs.
"When we began this process, we targeted Nikolai Khabibulin and Adrian Aucoin as the two main players we wanted to sign," general manager Dale Tallon said.
The Blackhawks, who have reached the playoffs only once in seven seasons, have significantly improved their defense since the free agent shopping season began on Monday. The Hawks signed former New York Islanders All-Star defenseman Aucoin to a four-year, $16 million contract on Tuesday. The Blackhawks also signed winger Martin Lapointe to a three-year, $7.2 million deal and defenseman Jaroslav Spacek to a one-year, $2.25 contract.
"I know our fans have gone through some difficult times, but we said that we would remain flexible and give ourselves a chance to improve our team under the new rules governing the NHL," Tallon said of the $39-million salary cap.
"We planned ahead with this day in mind and we are extremely happy that we were able to achieve some of our goals," he said in a statement.
Not only is Tallon a new hire but so is coach Trent Yawney as the Blackhawks have undergone a major makeover trying to erase years of bad hockey and small crowds.
Khabibulin skated for Ak Bars Kazan in the Russian Elite League during the lockout that wiped out last season, appearing in 24 games. He played for Russia at the 2002 Winter Olympics, going 3-2-1 with one shutout and a 2.34 goals against average.
He will be missed in Tampa Bay.
"When Nik Khabibulin came to this franchise he put the legs under the team," Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said. "He gave us the opportunity to win day in and day out.
"Is it a setback? It is," Feaster said.
Feaster added that Tampa Bay will be looking for another goaltender either through the free agent market or by a trade. Khabibulin's backup with the Lightning, John Grahame will be given a shot to win the top job.
"John Grahame is licking his chops to compete for that spot," Feaster said.
The Blackhawks might be able to move goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, who was tendered a qualifying offer.
The Hawks also signed free agent center Jim Dowd on Friday to a one-year, $525,000 deal. Dowd played in Germany last year after 13 NHL seasons with seven teams.
Tampa Bay could use the money saved on Khabibulin to try to sign star forward Vincent Lecavalier to a long-term deal. Feaster said he plans to speak Lecavalier's agent on Monday in an attempt to keep the 25-year-old center away from unrestricted free agency next summer.
"It's quite an offer, quite a contract that he received," Feaster said of Khabibulin's deal. "It's something that we couldn't match ... in order for us to try to what we have to do to keep this team together as much as we can."
The Lightning signed defenseman Nolan Pratt to a two-year deal worth $625,000 per season on Friday.
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Post by stratman19 on Aug 6, 2005 15:58:55 GMT -5
Ya got a good defenseman in Adrian Aucoin too Doc.
Man this new deal sucks. I know the players agreed to it, but boy did they take a fuckin'. It's also going to REALLY hurt big spending teams like my beloved Red Wings...
Have to see how the new rules changes play out. Some of 'em I like, others I'm in a wait and see mode about.
Have I mentioned lately how much I absolutely hate Gary Bettman? Bob Goodenow bailed, and it's way past time for Bettman to do the same.
At any rate, bring on NHL hockey!
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Post by stratman19 on Aug 11, 2005 20:25:32 GMT -5
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Post by rockkid on Aug 15, 2005 11:21:33 GMT -5
If the NHL is still locked out this year I would in fact celebrate.
Not missed at all.
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Post by RocDoc on Aug 15, 2005 19:14:13 GMT -5
Not me, baby!
We brought in our satellite TV primarily to be able to watch NBA basketball with my Mom-in-law while she was here helping (greatly!) to watch our newborn....my Mom-in-law's a basketball fanatic and 'free-TV' here in Chicago was showing a Bulls game only once every week and a ½ or so and all the rest were on that verdammt cable, which we dumped several years back when basic became like 49 bucks, nearly 50...
Shit, now I'm going to be watching any game with Chicago (naturally) and then all the teams now suddenly finding themselves with outstanding Lithuanian players...Cleveland, Miami, the NOLA Hornets...and there's one other one I think...
PLUS....I've always loved hockey. LOVED it.
AND we've got satellite.
AND we've got Tivo!
Well, Dish Network's even superior version of it....
I'm going to be one sleep-deprived mother fucker, I'm tellin' ya's....
... going to turn on that little boy to hockey right quick...
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Post by stratman19 on Aug 16, 2005 8:02:10 GMT -5
If the NHL is still locked out this year I would in fact celebrate. Not missed at all. And if you were here right now Rock, I'd beat you up. |
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Post by stratman19 on Aug 16, 2005 8:03:13 GMT -5
Not me, baby! We brought in our satellite TV primarily to be able to watch NBA basketball with my Mom-in-law while she was here helping (greatly!) to watch our newborn....my Mom-in-law's a basketball fanatic and 'free-TV' here in Chicago was showing a Bulls game only once every week and a ½ or so and all the rest were on that verdammt cable, which we dumped several years back when basic became like 49 bucks, nearly 50... Shit, now I'm going to be watching any game with Chicago (naturally) and then all the teams now suddenly finding themselves with outstanding Lithuanian players...Cleveland, Miami, the NOLA Hornets...and there's one other one I think... PLUS....I've always loved hockey. LOVED it. AND we've got satellite. AND we've got Tivo! Well, Dish Network's even superior version of it.... I'm going to be one sleep-deprived mother fucker, I'm tellin' ya's.... ... going to turn on that little boy to hockey right quick...Atta boy Doc! |
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MrGordon
Struggling Artist
Ever notice that people who believe in creationism look really unevolved?
Posts: 106
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Post by MrGordon on Aug 16, 2005 18:54:11 GMT -5
Let me just say, im extremely happy that the NHL is going to be back. Doc's Hawks look a hell of a lot better, Strat's wings should finally give the full time nod to Legace, and my Habs drafetd a goalie with their 5th pick???....
Top team in East: Ottawa
Tops in the West: Calgary (yes, i said it)
The Hawks will make the playoffs if Daze can put in a full, productive season. I'd actually like a good run from the Hawks.
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Post by RocDoc on Aug 16, 2005 19:18:56 GMT -5
Oh man...and I thank ya!
Daze has had such good runs and then either gets injured or falls flat...
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MrGordon
Struggling Artist
Ever notice that people who believe in creationism look really unevolved?
Posts: 106
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Post by MrGordon on Aug 16, 2005 21:56:48 GMT -5
Daze has all the potential to be such a huge player. His injuries have overshadowed his on-ice accomplishments (four 30 goal seasons, powerplay production etc). Maybe a cutdown in obstruction will get some opponents off his back.
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