You don't say...
- canadianpenfan

just making sure you weren't confused. ha!

It would be nice if it started on time. Training camp would be interesting this year with all the changes and new faces, especially given the opportunities that currently exist for guys to make the team. Compared to past years, there are openings to be filled.

I don't think I understand, but I don't think I want to.
- canadianpenfan

Sad, but true...

Problem is, Rangers have boatloads of offensive talent at this point. Tortorella is playing a full D game knowing this...and leaving Hank out to dry way too often in one goal games
- jerseyleaf

Did you watch them at all last year? They HAD to play a better defensive style. They couldn't have back and forth, rope-a-dope games. They couldn't score, period. They were forced to play Chris Kreider in the playoffs. They got Rick Nash---okay, good player, who could put up great player numbers---but no guarantees there.

no doubt people will remark about the team I support, but I seriously think the Pens have gotten worse with the J. Staal trade; now does that drop them below 'contender' status? Probably not, but I don't think you can claim they are favorites at this point.

Star power does alot for one's reputation though (same thing goes for the Caps at this point).
- ghostibator

We got a legitimate 2nd or 3rd line Center that has something to prove in Sutter, a top rated defensive prospect that could probably start on most clubs in Dumoulin and a guy most scouts will tell you is a close representation of Doughty and Letang combined in Poulliot. We got worse how? Staal is a terrific player, but he is one player. We were tops in PK when he wasn't even playing before. He will be good in Carolina, but its Sid and Geno's team.

The roster as it sits now will not be the same one the Penguins enter the playoffs with
- Gunner Staal

Hear, hear. It appears Doan will not be coming our way, which I am fine with. I prefer he stay out west I'll mention though. We have plenty of money and blue chips to work the deadline or earlier. This team is quietly working to be better. I hate the favorites crap. Its....still....August

The roster as it sits now will not be the same one the Penguins enter the playoffs with
- Gunner Staal

Hear, hear. It appears Doan will not be coming our way, which I am fine with. I prefer he stay out west I'll mention though. We have plenty of money and blue chips to work the deadline or earlier. This team is quietly working to be better. I hate the favorites crap. Its....still....August

Brady and Brees at Patriots camp ? What's up with that ?

RGIII debuting against your Bills tomorrow night !
- MadCap2008

Pats and Saints are having dual practices the past two days. I'm glad I made the trip from Cape Cod to watch the practice. Brady is my favorite football player by far.

We got a legitimate 2nd or 3rd line Center that has something to prove in Sutter, a top rated defensive prospect that could probably start on most clubs in Dumoulin and a guy most scouts will tell you is a close representation of Doughty and Letang combined in Poulliot. We got worse how? Staal is a terrific player, but he is one player. We were tops in PK when he wasn't even playing before. He will be good in Carolina, but its Sid and Geno's team.
- HopintheCordoba

agree with you about sutter, and like what i hear about dumoulin and pouliot long term, but for THIS season, there is no way the staal trade made them a better team. there was no way around losing staal, so they got back a really good return, but making the best out of a bad situation is not to say that it necessarily improved them right now.

Pats and Saints are having dual practices the past two days. I'm glad I made the trip from Cape Cod to watch the practice. Brady is my favorite football player by far.
- Gunner Staal

have nothing but respect for him as a player, but i just cant stand the patriots. however, i have found bradys off the field cameos, even down to the dopey dodge dart commercial out now, to be very funny

i think all of the Atlantic teams have big questions. 4 teams made the playoffs from the division and i think 3 have a great shot and i think NJ has a slim chance (i always say that and they make it easily... so take it with a grain of salt). NYI arent a playoff team but they're improving.

I'm hoping NY becomes a Capitals team from a few years ago. pure offensive. no heart, no defense. i think Torts is too good of a coach to let that happen, but you never know. but man am i glad to see Arnisomov (terrible spelling, i know), and Dubi out of the conference. they seemed to kill us.

as for the odds, who cares? unless you are betting, they are irrelevant. i dont think this is the team that the penguins head into the season with let alone the playoffs.

but give me a healthy crosby and oprik all season and ill be happy.

The roster as it sits now will not be the same one the Penguins enter the playoffs with
- Gunner Staal

Really going out on a limb there.

no i wouldnt want nash and gaborik on a line together if i was a rangers fan either. i definitely think they should be spread out. i am not so familiar with stephan though. i know he is a talented youngster, but does he have that high end playmaker skill already though?
- stayinthefnnet

the verdict is still out on stepan. he's like a lot of talented young guns that come into the league: shows signs of brilliance but at other times has trouble finishing. i thought he was invisible for some stretches last season, so my gut instinct is: 25 goals as a career high, maybe 30+ assists. not much more than that.

something i think that is overlooked in this nash trade is the fact that it takes a ton of pressure off of kreider in his first full season.

the verdict is still out on stepan. he's like a lot of talented young guns that come into the league: shows signs of brilliance but at other times has trouble finishing. i thought he was invisible for some stretches last season, so my gut instinct is: 25 goals as a career high, maybe 30+ assists. not much more than that.

something i think that is overlooked in this nash trade is the fact that it takes a ton of pressure off of kreider in his first full season.
- Why So Serious

I might even go so far as to say Kreider's first (probably) full NHL season is overlooked by many. Especially Flyers fans, who may look at the Rangers based on our regular season encounters.

Of course, I do not speak authoritatively for the entire fanbase.

Pierre Maguire spooged all over his own face if he read this.

Can never count Jersey out, but this is the same cast that was so horrible 2 seasons back now
- jerseyleaf

Its not, really, but if you want to look at it like that then its the same team that was one of the best in the league under lemaire.

4 teams left for a Fantasy Football league for ESPN. Would like to keep it for those of us on Buzz but opening it up to public if I can't find 4 more teams. PM me if interested. Last Call
- ryman1566

Check your inbox again.

Well guys,

Here is a piece on Kesler and his shoulder.

http://hockeyhurts.com/10...n-kesler-and-his-shoulder

You might notice we are finally up on our domain now!

i think all of the Atlantic teams have big questions. 4 teams made the playoffs from the division and i think 3 have a great shot and i think NJ has a slim chance (i always say that and they make it easily... so take it with a grain of salt). NYI arent a playoff team but they're improving.

I'm hoping NY becomes a Capitals team from a few years ago. pure offensive. no heart, no defense. i think Torts is too good of a coach to let that happen, but you never know. but man am i glad to see Arnisomov (terrible spelling, i know), and Dubi out of the conference. they seemed to kill us.

as for the odds, who cares? unless you are betting, they are irrelevant. i dont think this is the team that the penguins head into the season with let alone the playoffs.

but give me a healthy crosby and oprik all season and ill be happy.
- SuperHenderson13

yeah, because they lost so much defensive depth right? Which player did they lose that will make them bad on the backend? To this date, they still have Mcdonagh, Girardi, Staal and Del Zottto. Stralman is a good #6 guy and bickel is their for toughness and he's a good teammate. The need one more guy back their. Hopefully Sauer can come back so. So again, how would they not have any defense?

yeah, because they lost so much defensive depth right? Which player did they lose that will make them bad on the backend? To this date, they still have Mcdonagh, Girardi, Staal and Del Zottto. Stralman is a good #6 guy and bickel is their for toughness and he's a good teammate. The need one more guy back their. Hopefully Sauer can come back so. So again, how would they not have any defense?
- blacksheep1

yea i don't understand what on earth would make anyone think that the rangers would turn into a team that doesn't play defense. they didn't lose a single defensemen from last season. if anything, they get stronger when sauer comes back.

and the devils team from two seasons ago had coaching issues more than anything. they'll be right in the middle of the conference and i could see them possibly fighting for the number 4 spot.

yeah, because they lost so much defensive depth right? Which player did they lose that will make them bad on the backend? To this date, they still have Mcdonagh, Girardi, Staal and Del Zottto. Stralman is a good #6 guy and bickel is their for toughness and he's a good teammate. The need one more guy back their. Hopefully Sauer can come back so. So again, how would they not have any defense?
- blacksheep1

Did you just completely ignore the previous line from what you put in put bold where he states "I hope".

No where did he make any statement as to what the Rangers lost on the blueline.

Did you just completely ignore the previous line from what you put in put bold where he states "I hope".

No where did he make any statement as to what the Rangers lost on the blueline.
- Ben37

They see what they want to see.

Did you just completely ignore the previous line from what you put in put bold where he states "I hope".

No where did he make any statement as to what the Rangers lost on the blueline.
- Ben37

it a ridiculous comparison, they are nowhere near the same team. Yes the rangers brought in a guy that has offensein nah but they all brought in guys like halpern and pyatt to round out the bottom 6. Plus guy like Callahan and Stepan that play in the top 6 are pretty good when it comes to play in their own zone.

They see what they want to see.
- canadianpenfan

I know, I know.

"How dare you have a slightly negative view of my favorite team. Now I shall prove to that my team is perfect by using my words."

it a ridiculous comparison, they are nowhere near the same team. Yes the rangers brought in a guy that has offensein nah but they all brought in guys like halpern and pyatt to round out the bottom 6. Plus guy like Callahan and Stepan that play in the top 6 are pretty good when it comes to play in their own zone.
- blacksheep1

He didn't compare anything though. He said he hopes for something. I hope that the Rangers lose all 82 games this season. It won't happen but I can hope for it.

it a ridiculous comparison, they are nowhere near the same team. Yes the rangers brought in a guy that has offensein nah but they all brought in guys like halpern and pyatt to round out the bottom 6. Plus guy like Callahan and Stepan that play in the top 6 are pretty good when it comes to play in their own zone.
- blacksheep1

Why would a pens fan be hopeful that the rangers were a great team? He said he hopes they play only offensively and with no heart. Also right after that he states Tort's is to good of a coach to allow that to happen. And either get less fat fingers or get off your Iphone and on to a regular computer.