What do you think this says about the knowledge of hockey fans in AZ?

And people wonder why the Coyotes are moving to Quebec City.

PS: Kind of annoyed that ESPN even thought to ask this question.

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Crazy roller coaster season season comes to an end. Only one thing left to do for the Blackhawks

Win the whole fucking thing.  Toews comes back and Crawford keeps playing the way he has there isn’t a team in the Western Conference the Blackhawks can’t beat.  Playoff time. Let’s go boys. SING IT KELLY!!!

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Why John Scott is great

 

Look, I know John Scott isn’t exactly Paul Coffee out there but he can be on my team any day.  He is a guy that will always stand up for his teammates and his mere presence ensures that the other team doesn’t run around like dickheads.  Scott also seems to be a real character that can keep the room loose.  I don’t want him in there every night, but as a 13th forward and/or 7th defenseman you can ask for much more.

 

PS: Shanaban coming for Engeland for sure.

 

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This is what happens when The Blackhawks let other teams win the Stanley Cup

 

 

Alright, so much for sharing.  The one year the Blackhawks dynasty lets another team win the Stanley Cup and this is what happens.

 

PS: Of course a Newfie dropped it.

 

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Roenick Is Obnoxious: Remake of NHL ’95 scene from Swingers

I don’t know why, but I felt obligated to post this lame ass video. I really can’t stand JR. Like, enough already. Roenick and Pierre McGuire both need to be removed from NBC Hockey broadcasts.

PS: Roenick is without a doubt the greatest video game athlete ever. That whole team was stacked on NHL ’95. Belfour in net, Chelios cracking skulls, and Roenick being an unstoppable force.

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Well…It took me about 30 seconds to fall in love with Dan Carcillo

“I watched that [playoff] series and certain guys that don’t play the way they usually play can get away with it in the playoffs because there is no fighting in the playoffs.  I’m going to have to try and get them to answer the piper. … There are a few guys that played outside their shoes. I think I can keep most of those guys in check when we play them this year. Max Lapierre, Tanner Glass and Raffi Torres. Lapierre is at the top of the list, though. The biggest thing that Stan and I have talked about is to get that attitude back and that push back, you know that kind of ‘screw you attitude.’ “–Dan Carcillo

 

I have hated Dan Carcillo for years and I wasn’t particularly thrilled that he would be joining the 2011-12 Chicago Blackhawks.  All of that was wiped away with one little sound bite.  What’s that Dan? You hate the Canucks? Specifically Max Lapierre and Raffi Torres? Well, welcome to the family!!! Doesn’t even matter that Torres isn’t on the team anymore.  I just love that Carcillo is willing to call out the Canucks for being completely gutless.  The Hawks didn’t have enough grit last year, and Carcillo brings sand to go with the skill and swag on the rest of the roster.  The Blackhawks are looking good heading into 2011-12, and still have some flexibility to add a piece(2nd line center) if needed during the year.

 

PS: I still miss you Adam Burish

 

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The Cap Hit on Patrick Sharp’s New Deal

I didn’t really see the details of Patrick Sharp’s new deal posted anywhere, but www.capgeek.com is showing that Sharp will make an average of 5.9m over the length of the five-year deal.  It’s a higher hit than I would have liked, but I still love this deal.  It’s at just about fair market value when you compare him to similar players around the league.  Sharp is also a big time leader and versatile player who contributes at wing, center, defense on the power-play, and he also kills penalties.  This is how you handle a contract negotiation for a player that is important to your team on and off the playing surface.  Jerry Angelo…I am looking in your direction.

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The Blackhawks Better Win The Cup The Summer I Get Married

 

I would totally crush this group with my first dance with Stanley.  When it comes to wedding dancing, half the battle is 90% enthusiasm.

 

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Free Agent Targets for the Blackhawks: Centers

As noted in the previous post, the Blackhawks could have as much as 5 million dollars in cap space this summer to fill out 4 roster spots.  The biggest need for the Blackhawks is legitimate second line center.  This has been an ongoing issue for the Blackhawks for the past few years and now they finally have an opportunity to address this hole in the roster.

Brooks Laich

Brooks Laich is a versatile player who can play any of the three forward positions.  He would slide in perfectly next to Hossa on the Blackhawks second scoring line.  Laich has been an integral player for the Washington Capitals since becoming a fulltime NHL player shortly after the lockout.  Laich has eclipsed 20 goals three times in his career and added 16 goals this year for the surprisingly offensively inept Capitals.  Brooks Laich had a salary of $2.4m last year with a cap hit of $2,066,667.  Laich is a leader in the Capitals locker room, and Washington will try to find a way to resign him.  However, the Capitals suddenly find themselves somewhat devoid of depth as many of their veterans are UFAs.  The Capitals have to make some difficult decisions with RFAs Karl Alzner and goaltender Semyon Varlamov.  In the event that Brooks Laich is the odd man out in Washington, the Blackhawks should definitely target the productive pivot.  Laich could perhaps be a bit over valued in a weak UFA class.  If the Blackhawks could clear even more cap space by trading away either Brian Campbell or Hjalmarsson, then perhaps the Blackhawks could get into a bidding war for Laich.  Laich between $2.75m and $3m would provide the Blackhawks with tremendous value.

Tim Connolly

Tim Connelly has been a frustrating player for Buffalo Sabre fans for the past few years.  He is immensely talented and a great playmaker, but he has been plagued by injuries and concussions. Connolly is coming off of a contract where he had a cap hit of $4.5m.  Given his health concerns there is no way his next contract will approach that level.  Connolly is 30 years old and hasn’t played a full 82 games since the 2002-03 season.  Connolly presents a high risk, high reward scenario for the Blackhawks. Connolly would be the perfect play-making center for Marian Hossa.  In both 2008-09 and 2009-10, Connolly approached point per game numbers in limited action.  Pairing him with a talent like Marian Hossa could put both players over the top.  If Connolly would be willing to take a short deal at a cap hit around $2.5m the Blackhawks should pounce on it.

Other Options

The Free Agent class is devoid of quality centers.  If the Blackhawks are unable to reach a reasonable deal with either of the two sited above, then they may look to add an “insurance” type of center as they ease Marcus Kruger into the second line center role.  Here are a few of the other options:

• Marty Reasoner– Reasoner was a Blackhawk for about 10 minutes in 2010-11 before he too had to be shipped off in a salary saving move.  Reasoner is an effective player who had some decent production for Atlanta in 2010-11.  While he isn’t a great fit for the second line necessarily,  he would add overall depth to the position and would be an upgrade over Jake Dowell and Ryan Johnson.
• Michael Handzus– Another centerman who had a cup of coffee with the Blackhawks could also be a fit.  Handzus is a solid two-way player who was an important piece to the LA Kings as they made playoff appearances in each of the past two seasons.  Again, not an ideal fit, but a nice depth player who could help the Hawks win.
• Max Talbot– Ideally a fourth line center, but Talbot would add an element of grit that was missing from last year’s Blackhawks team.  The Penguins are financially strapped and probably won’t be able to resign Talbot.  I like Talbot, but not at a cap hit of more than 1.8m.  Hawks signing him is unlikely.

 

 

They are who we thought they were: Canucks are AWFUL

I am not going to sit here and say I told you so, but I totally did.  The Canucks are a joke.  The softest team in the league. Unworthy of being in the Stanley Cup Finals.  The Canucks are a classic “fake tough” team.  They will push you and try to get under your skin by diving, chirping, biting, throwing head shots, and complaining.  If you stand up to them and push back at them they will completely crumble.  The Bruins took it to the Canucks physically and they whimpered away. 

NHL Network was really rushing to the defense of the Canucks last night. “Kesler must be hurt. Luongo has vertigo. Burrows is menstruating, blah blah blah”.  Truth of the matter is that this is just who the Canucks are.  They are a group of cowards who barely beat an injury depleted Blackhawks team in a rebuilding year. They just suck. 

Now I even think Vancouver is delusional.  Bieksa called Tim Thomas “leaky” in the post game and said that they were showing him too much respect.  Yeah, real leaky goalie in net for the Bruins.  The Canucks have scored under 2 goals in three of the 4 games and on top of that Thomas has more hits in the series than the Sedin Sisters combined.  Showing him too much respect? How, by trying to slash the stick out of his hand and running him every chance they get?  Burrows even tried to fight Thomas.  Who fights a goalie?  Burrows is pathetic. 

The only chance the Canucks have to salvage this series is to start Cory Schneider, but even the Boston native Schneider sounded like he wanted to part of the Bruins. “None of the goals were Roberto’s fault. He deserves to be in there for game 5.” Come on now, Cory.  You went to Phillips Andover and graduated from BC with honors in 3 years, you’re smarter than that.  Luongo’s legs were more open than Lindsay Lohan’s on the Peverly goal.  Ryder’s shot looked like a peewee shot it.  The only goal that wasn’t on Luongo was Peverly’s second goal.  Other than that Luongo was responsible.  Maybe Schneider doesn’t want to alienate his hometown team. Maybe he is afraid of the Bruins.  Maybe he is just as delusional as the rest of teammates.

This series is over.  I originally predicted the Bruins winning in 7 games, but now I don’t think it will take that long.  Long live the Original 6.  AMERICA.

 

PS I love Milbury in between periods.  Calls the Canucks “smug and arrogant” during game 3 and has the line of the year when he referred to the Sedin Sisters as “Thelma and Louise”. Just perfect. If NBC could replace Pierre McGuire with Darren Pang it would be the greatest hockey broadcast crew ever assembled.

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