No hockey

[axls earwax]

No hockey this year.

[Rob]

They better settle this thing before next season.  I don't think I can go 2 years without hockey...even if the Rangers suck.

[Tj]

Eh? Are we talking Ice Hockey here? I've always wanted to play that. I can play Hockey, and I can skate, so it's only logical that I'd be able to play Ice Hockey 

Why isn't there gonna be any this year?

[Rob]

Uh...there was a work stoppage in the NHL cause the players and the owners couldn't come to an agreement.  Even if there was hockey it would be pretty much over by now though.

[DoubleTalkingJive]

They better settle this thing before next season.? I don't think I can go 2 years without hockey...even if the Rangers suck.

Ranger fan I take it....if yes, me too, I feel your pain.  I know they haven't made it into the playoffs in 8 years but at least every year we can watch them almost make it

[Rob]

Yeah, they keep it interesting then blow it down the stretch.  I guess that's better than sucking the entire year.

[DoubleTalkingJive]

One of the cable stations I have was playing Game 2 of the 94 cup series, that was when the team was awesome, Messier, Richter, Leech, Beukaboom, Graves, Tikkanen, Kovalof, Lowe, etc.  That was when the team rocked and Keenan was the key..  They should have gotten him back a long time ago.  He was a mean MF but he got the job done.

[Rob]

Yeah, Keenan got things done.  That team was so great.  Dfinitely my favorite team in pro sports history.  Not only were they talented, but they were the classiest group of guys ever assembled.  As bad as things have gotten for that franchise over the years, I can still llok back on that season and be happy.  That whole playoff run was friggin' amazing.  I miss playoff hockey so much.

[Izzy]

They actually stop the sport itself?

Crazy....

[Kujo]

 I am a Flyers fan but I'll take any hockey I can get. I became a season ticket holder for the Panthers in the 2003-2004 season. After the season though my ticket rep told me dont be surprised if they sit out for two years. The owners are bound and determined to get things the way they want. Not looking to good for next season either.

I at least hope the ticket prices lower a bit. I love hockey but its the most expensive to go to on a regular basis. Seats in the upper deck, which I prefer, are aboot $36 dollars, unless you get the day of game tickets in the last two rows of the corner which are $14. I love this sport but the first sacrifice they will have to make if they want to draw more than just the die-hard fans again is cutting the prices.

[DoubleTalkingJive]

Yeah, Keenan got things done.  That team was so great.  Dfinitely my favorite team in pro sports history.  Not only were they talented, but they were the classiest group of guys ever assembled.  As bad as things have gotten for that franchise over the years, I can still llok back on that season and be happy.  That whole playoff run was friggin' amazing.  I miss playoff hockey so much.

Me too, definitely exciting.  That year was like the greatest playoff season ever.   I wanted to go to the parade but I couldn't.   I was so nervous for Messier when he said in the papers, we will win the cup or something like that.   Thank god they did. 

I heard that they still are no where near a resolution.  I hope we don't go another year without it but it looks like it could be a possibility.  Messier is already retired.  He wanted this year to be his last but no can do.  The rangers are really hurting though.  I hope when this does get resolved they consider bringing Keenan back one more time to get them another cup. 

[Rob]

Yeah, Keenan coming back would be good.  I'd also love to see Brian Leetch come back.  I felt so bad when he got traded.  What they really need is defense though.  That's been the problem for years...too many shots on goal.  People give so much credit to Marty Brodeur from the Devils...and he is great, but he only faces like 20-something shots a game cause they've had such great defensemen over the years.  The Rangers need some big guys that play D.  No more of those tiny defensemen that can set up the offense but can't keep the other team out of their own end.

[DoubleTalkingJive]

Yeah, Keenan coming back would be good.  I'd also love to see Brian Leetch come back.  I felt so bad when he got traded.  What they really need is defense though.  That's been the problem for years...too many shots on goal.  People give so much credit to Marty Brodeur from the Devils...and he is great, but he only faces like 20-something shots a game cause they've had such great defensemen over the years.  The Rangers need some big guys that play D.  No more of those tiny defensemen that can set up the offense but can't keep the other team out of their own end.

I feel so bad for Leetch, he so wanted to retire a Ranger.   That was a big problem for Richter, once he hurt his groin he was never the same and let so many shots through in his last 2 years of his career.   You're right it does always seem like the other teams are constantly in the Rangers zone. 

[KeVoRkIaN]

Personally - I wouldn't want to retire a Ranger or a Leaf - so I feel really sorry for Leetch

Secondly - looks like we will have a deal by next week at the latest!

[KeVoRkIaN]

I didn't make this but a cool watch - Greatest Hockey Fights:

http://hornyferret.com/component/option,com_movies/task,watch/Itemid,4/id,162/

[Rob]

Personally - I wouldn't want to retire a Ranger or a Leaf - so I feel really sorry for Leetch

Secondly - looks like we will have a deal by next week at the latest!

If you were Brian Leetch you would've wanted to retire a Ranger.  He was devastated when we traded him even though the Rangers sucked and the Leafs were contenders.  Leetch was one of the classiest ahtletes to ever play in New York...or any city for that amtter.

[Mal Brossard]

I didn't make this but a cool watch - Greatest Hockey Fights:

http://hornyferret.com/component/option,com_movies/task,watch/Itemid,4/id,162/

Good stuff, if this exists in it's entirety on tape somewhere, I need a copy.  I have most of the full fights from it on tape, but not this video with WTTJ and all.

Speaking of fights, Red Wings fans, look for Mike Babcock to be your new coach, and look for him to finally bring in a good fighter.  Anyone who's willing to give Garrett Burnett a job in Anaheim should be willing to dress a fighter for the Wings.

[Rob]

Allright, its back!  How long before that union head gets fired?  They lost a whole season and in the end the deal they settled for was far worse than the one they could've had before the lockout.

[Kujo]

Allright, its back!? How long before that union head gets fired?? They lost a whole season and in the end the deal they settled for was far worse than the one they could've had before the lockout.

  They should have one ceremony at each stadium where all the players get to take one free punch at this moron before the games.

I'm just glad its back. I'm not so sure how all these rule changes are going to effect the game, if they are approved, but I love the shoot out after OT to decide games. No more ties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mal Brossard]

{As posted to my LiveJournal...}

OK. My thoughts.  Here goes...

Salary Cap: Good.

20% Clause: Good.

No buyout and re-sign: Bad.

Lottery draft results: Good.

Rule Changes: Mixed.

Two-line pass Legalized: Bad.

Tag-up offside: Good.

Instigator rule strengthening: VERY BAD!!!!!!

Bertuzzi getting another 10-20 games: VERY GOOD!!!!!

Goalie pad size changes: Good.

Goalie restricted zone: Indifferent.

Zero-tolerance on obstruction: Laughable.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Lucky stiffs.

Sidney Crosby: Godlike.

Boston Bruins: Fucked.

Diving restrictions: Good.

Larger offensive zone: Good.

Smaller neutral zone: Good.

Delay of game rule change: Bad.

No line change on icing: Deadly.

Shootout after OT: Controversial.

Controversy: Good.

[Rob]

I'm all for making the game more wide open and all, but if we start getting 8-7 games on a regular basis I won't be happy.  That's not hockey.

[Mal Brossard]

The perfect game would be the way EVERY game was in the 1980's.  A score of 5-3, a fight or two, no diving, fewer high sticks, and a few helmetless players.  Most of which is gone forever.  The first can easily be changed, the second sould be, the third is if we get rid of certain type of players, the fourth will be if the second comes back, but the last, forget it.

[Rob]

Props to Craig MacTavish...the last of the helmetless players.  Also for helping the Rangers win the Cup in '94.