Pommer out for Wild, Konopka in. Ish

For very Hossa and Jagr you end up with several Olesz, Kostitsyn types.

I think the ratio of success is better for North American players - particularly when compared to Russians.

JMO
- tredbrta

After watching the Americans on FX.. I agree.. can't trust those bloody Russians!

After watching the Americans on FX.. I agree.. can't trust those bloody Russians!
- victorymc98

I have heard that's a great show. Have a hard time compartmentalizing my bandwidth to include a new series though.

I have heard that's a great show. Have a hard time compartmentalizing my bandwidth to include a new series though.
- eburgio

Very good show, just wish it was on Showtime or HBO... that KGB gal gives me a warm, tingly feeling

Very good show, just wish it was on Showtime or HBO... that KGB gal gives me a warm, tingly feeling
- SotaPopinski

I also enjoyed Irina's brief appearance! And it's an interesting show, I don't think I have watched a show before where you pretty much root against the star.

I also enjoyed Irina's brief appearance! And it's an interesting show, I don't think I have watched a show before where you pretty much root against the star.
- Hawks64

Interesting. Did you root for Tony Soprano? And to SotaPop...everything is better with a bit more skin. I only watch "Game of Thrones" for the boobage.

Very good show, just wish it was on Showtime or HBO... that KGB gal gives me a warm, tingly feeling
- SotaPopinski

I see what you are thinking there...

Interesting. Did you root for Tony Soprano? And to SotaPop...everything is better with a bit more skin. I only watch "Game of Thrones" for the boobage.
- eburgio

It definitely doesn't hurt
Watching Spartacus on Starz was like watching porn most episodes. Only problem was, they showed lots of male nudity as well

Don't forget about the free bracket predictor .


http://playoffschallenge....ff_challenge/leagues/5632



League :HawksBuzz
Pw: Jaeckel

Interesting. Did you root for Tony Soprano? And to SotaPop...everything is better with a bit more skin. I only watch "Game of Thrones" for the boobage.
- eburgio

I haven't started on season 3... do the dragons have boobs?

Also.. What's the rule for Playoff beard... I stopped shaving after this past Sat.

Excited that real season is finally here, and the injuries are pretty much avoided. However, sounds like Emery is worse off then Bolland as Q alluded that Emery might not even make the trip to Minny. Could mean he's out for the entire 1st round, which begs this question: Why the hell did he start in a meaningless game against Edomonton?

Bolland...eh....his legend will have to put on hold. As long as Handzus can keep up, and Shaw can piss off the Parise/Koivu line, i think they should be OK.

What I'm interested to see mostly are:

1. How the Hawks respond to physical play, and deliver/finish checks. Guys like Rupp, Konopka, and Clutterbuck will be all over the Hawks D men trying to force turnovers. Lets hope the pizza man keeps it under wraps and doesn't wet himself like he did last spring

2. Crawford...sink or swim. This is THE turning point in this guy's Hawks career. He bombs, he will be replaced. He succeeds, and the shadow of Niemi can go away. Remember, they tried to sign Brodeur last July...

3. PP..Has to get going and gain some confidence. Somebody has to score those huge, dirty PP goals....

Not overlooking Minnesota is big. Should the Hawks in? Yeah...but they should have beaten Phoenix last year as well.

Let the emotional roller coaster begin...

Don't forget about the free bracket predictor .


http://playoffschallenge....ff_challenge/leagues/5632



League :HawksBuzz
Pw: Jaeckel
- mrpaulish

Just tried about 15 times.. either i'm a moron (which my wife won't put passed me) or the password is in all lower case?

Excited that real season is finally here, and the injuries are pretty much avoided. However, sounds like Emery is worse off then Bolland as Q alluded that Emery might not even make the trip to Minny. Could mean he's out for the entire 1st round, which begs this question: Why the hell did he start in a meaningless game against Edomonton?

Bolland...eh....his legend will have to put on hold. As long as Handzus can keep up, and Shaw can piss off the Parise/Koivu line, i think they should be OK.

What I'm interested to see mostly are:

1. How the Hawks respond to physical play, and deliver/finish checks. Guys like Rupp, Konopka, and Clutterbuck will be all over the Hawks D men trying to force turnovers. Lets hope the pizza man keeps it under wraps and doesn't wet himself like he did last spring

2. Crawford...sink or swim. This is THE turning point in this guy's Hawks career. He bombs, he will be replaced. He succeeds, and the shadow of Niemi can go away. Remember, they tried to sign Brodeur last July...

3. PP..Has to get going and gain some confidence. Somebody has to score those huge, dirty PP goals....

Not overlooking Minnesota is big. Should the Hawks in? Yeah...but they should have beaten Phoenix last year as well.

Let the emotional roller coaster begin...
- SteveRain

Very Nice Write Up..

Interesting. Did you root for Tony Soprano? And to SotaPop...everything is better with a bit more skin. I only watch "Game of Thrones" for the boobage.
- eburgio

Never got into the Soprano's to be honest.

PW is jaeckel all lower case. My bad.

PW is jaeckel all lower case. My bad.
- mrpaulish

Thank you!

Just tried about 15 times.. either i'm a moron (which my wife won't put passed me) or the password is in all lower case?
- victorymc98

Yeah it's lowercase.

Joined it with some fairly optimistic predictions. Nothing like the playoffs, that's for sure.

Very Nice Write Up..
- victorymc98

Thank you...god willing they win tonght...otherwise 2 days off in between games may lead to a record amount of bans being handed out.

Hate to break it to you but when I go into the playoffs I want NA players. Hossa is an exception because he doesnt play like a Euro. So cool off and take a deep breath. Look at 2010 and the players we miss most from that team.

Ladd- Canadian
Buff- U.S.
Campbell- Canadian
Versteeg- Canadian

Euro's do not win you cups. The Red Wings are a special case, but NA players pan out more often than not and Euro's...well...
- nickmo2699

The last 2 number 1 centers to win the cup were Anze Kopitar and David Krejci. We also could have used that Niemi guy last year, instead of the Canadian boy we had giving in goals that looked more like thye belonged in the state championship at the UC than a playoff game. Look at who the Red Wings miss most, Lidstrom. Cool it with the xenophobia and appreciate good hockey players. What would have happened if you were the caps or Penguins in the Ovechkin/Malkin draft?

Hate to break it to you but when I go into the playoffs I want NA players. Hossa is an exception because he doesnt play like a Euro. So cool off and take a deep breath. Look at 2010 and the players we miss most from that team.

Ladd- Canadian
Buff- U.S.
Campbell- Canadian
Versteeg- Canadian

Euro's do not win you cups. The Red Wings are a special case, but NA players pan out more often than not and Euro's...well...
- nickmo2699

Evgeni Malkin's 2009 Conn Smythe trophy says "come at me bro". LOL And you just can't throw out the Red Wings as a special case. LMAO

Excited that real season is finally here, and the injuries are pretty much avoided. However, sounds like Emery is worse off then Bolland as Q alluded that Emery might not even make the trip to Minny. Could mean he's out for the entire 1st round, which begs this question: Why the hell did he start in a meaningless game against Edomonton?

Bolland...eh....his legend will have to put on hold. As long as Handzus can keep up, and Shaw can piss off the Parise/Koivu line, i think they should be OK.

What I'm interested to see mostly are:

1. How the Hawks respond to physical play, and deliver/finish checks. Guys like Rupp, Konopka, and Clutterbuck will be all over the Hawks D men trying to force turnovers. Lets hope the pizza man keeps it under wraps and doesn't wet himself like he did last spring

2. Crawford...sink or swim. This is THE turning point in this guy's Hawks career. He bombs, he will be replaced. He succeeds, and the shadow of Niemi can go away. Remember, they tried to sign Brodeur last July...

3. PP..Has to get going and gain some confidence. Somebody has to score those huge, dirty PP goals....

Not overlooking Minnesota is big. Should the Hawks in? Yeah...but they should have beaten Phoenix last year as well.

Let the emotional roller coaster begin...
- SteveRain

1. Only Clusterphuck has any speed to get in on the forecheck to lay the big hits. I too am worried that Oduya starts shying away and begins giving the puck away.

2. I agree that Crawford has to show right away that he is here to play. If he starts his mindliess shotblocking routine where he relies solely on positioning the Hawk defence had better be prepared for a long night.

3. PK is the most important special team, pp is a nice to have especially to prevent the Hawks from being mugged however Boston proved you can win without a powerplay.

Beach has no trade value. He is officially a bust.
- tredbrta

It pretty much looks that way. However, when he does have his head in the game, he's been one of the best players on the ice in Rockford. It's too bad that those times are few and far between.

Pommer out for Wild, Konopka in. Ish
- SotaPopinski

Woo. How has Pommer been for you guys?

Hate to break it to you but when I go into the playoffs I want NA players. Hossa is an exception because he doesnt play like a Euro. So cool off and take a deep breath. Look at 2010 and the players we miss most from that team.

Ladd- Canadian
Buff- U.S.
Campbell- Canadian
Versteeg- Canadian

Euro's do not win you cups. The Red Wings are a special case, but NA players pan out more often than not and Euro's...well...
- nickmo2699

I know it's not politically correct to say, but I agree with you in most cases. If all else is equal give me the North American.

I know it's not politically correct to say, but I agree with you in most cases. If all else is equal give me the North American.
- paulr

OK Don Cherry