Your joking right? I moved back to Philly in April this year, Unless since then it got popular then this statement is completely false, yes they have ice rinks, yes they have a couple of teams, but to say its "very big" is way off base. Very big compared to what? Cuba? Texas? Oklahoma?
- GOA88

It's all relative I guess? All kidding aside in some areas of Florida it's pretty popular. Tampa especially. Kids playing hockey in the streets, pee wee teams, etc...

Your joking right? I moved back to Philly in April this year, Unless since then it got popular then this statement is completely false, yes they have ice rinks, yes they have a couple of teams, but to say its "very big" is way off base. Very big compared to what? Cuba? Texas? Oklahoma?
- GOA88

Well its not very big, but its becoming very big. Its growing slowly and steadily.

New management is definitely trying to make the lightning more relevant and interesting, the arena upgrades (which are very nice) and the signing of Yzerman. Now its time to invest some money in this team and bring in some recognizable players, too many players from the minor leagues. Cant rely on Stamkos and St.Louis every game. St.Louis is 2-3 years from retirement at least and what would happen if Stamkos got hurt? Probably dont want to think about that....
- GOA88

In regards to the players I actually think we need to go opposite to your approach. The last few years we have too many old and slow NHL retreads ala Eric Brewer and Ryan Malone who are taking spots for younger and faster guys who have been "languishing" with Norfolk/Syracuse winning a Calder Cup and losing in the finals last year. There is plenty of talent NHL ready or just about ready who in the next few years will become "household names". Best part is the coach who led those guys on the Calder run now gets to coach them at the NHL level.

He's probably the most entertaining blogger, and that's the only reason I come here... Entertainment -- And to piss around in the comment section with members who are just as (frank)ed up as I am. I don't come here for hockey news... I can find that stuff on TSN.
- laughs2907

Amen brother.

Your joking right? I moved back to Philly in April this year, Unless since then it got popular then this statement is completely false, yes they have ice rinks, yes they have a couple of teams, but to say its "very big" is way off base. Very big compared to what? Cuba? Texas? Oklahoma?
- GOA88

It's becoming bigger (or put another way getting closer to "very big") in Tampa. Regardless of road fans you don't put 19k people in an arena for every game if there is no interest in hockey. Outside of Tampa hockey isn't very big but over time as the Bolts "sphere of influence" grows it will become bigger and bigger. Florida is a very young hockey market overall but in time the game of hockey attracts more fans b/c after all it is a great sport with lots of excitement.

Comrie should come out of retirement and play for the Predators..Carrie Underwood and Hilary Duff would be fantastic in the stands together..

Seriously though, I have no freakin idea why you put the Blue Jackets that low, they got a pretty damn good team now..Gaborik, Horton, Bobrosvky, Ryan Murray, that Johnson guy, Anisimov..this team is going places..and it will be fun to watch.
Sure they got a lame team name, but wicked cool Jerseys.

I lol'ed alot while reading your writeup of the Hurricanes roster, made me laugh, thanks for that.
- oilers2k14

Agreed... CBJ have dramatically improved since they shed whinny boy there - Nash...

I can't wait to get my own show on FOX!
- laughs2907

With Erin Andrews???

Agreed... CBJ have dramatically improved since they shed whinny boy there - Nash...
- saskoil21

Cloutier you are the result of troglodytic half-siblings spending way too much time alone together.

My goodness, no Predator replies? Okay, I'll give you one Richard. I'm glad you qualified your comments by basically saying this was based on nothing. Having Nashville at the top for least interesting is...well...interesting. Only because the Predators are THE only team in hockey that even matters. There...that's all the venom I could muster.
- R4Z0R

Hey look guys! It's a preds fan! I wonder if the other 3 will comment on this blog too?

Oh Richie... running out of ways to get hits? Yawn...

Oh Richie... running out of ways to get hits? Yawn...
- MnGump

Omg his plan is working!!!
You just gave him one.

Game 7 Boston and Toronto 2013 is on the NHL network right now.

Game 7 Boston and Toronto 2013 is on the NHL network right now.
- Ihatebrianburke

Nice, just in time for the epic collapse.

Omg his plan is working!!!
You just gave him one.
- HouseArrest187

Doesn't matter he had to resort to ignorance to get those hits...yeah that's insignificant.

Nice, just in time for the epic collapse.
- HouseArrest187

I'm PVRing the 3rd period. Its my favorite. Boston's 4th line is unreal. At least 100 times better than ours.

It's becoming bigger (or put another way getting closer to "very big") in Tampa. Regardless of road fans you don't put 19k people in an arena for every game if there is no interest in hockey. Outside of Tampa hockey isn't very big but over time as the Bolts "sphere of influence" grows it will become bigger and bigger. Florida is a very young hockey market overall but in time the game of hockey attracts more fans b/c after all it is a great sport with lots of excitement.
- uf1910

That would be very nice for the NHL and the sport of hockey, Phoenix on the other hand doesnt really have a chance, neither do the Panthers. Too many people who cant speak english down in south fla, "Little Cuba"

Nash took stretches of games off in the regular season? I dont remember any stretch to be honest. He was consistently really good for us.

Again, that best power forward in the league comment wasn't serious.

I would take tavares over nash for sure...not sure about hall, yet. Maybe because hall is younger, but I'd argue nash is bigger, more powerful, and has a better shot, amongst a few other perks he might have over hall. Hall had more points but also played with some elite kids and in a much more better system than what nash played in under torts.

Remember that nash was considered one of the best players in the entire league when he was on the blue jackets and was a 1 man team that scored 30 to 40 goals a year consistently. Now that he's on the rangers, he's arguably the most overrated player in the league even though he was on pace to put up over 40? Its hard to say who the best power forward in the league is for sure, but I'd put nash in the top 5.
- rangerdanger94

And this is where everyone's arguements fall to pieces....it is obvious that you and most other trolls never watched the oil play last year. Hall played with 4-5 different centers last year. He never was on the same line because Kruger kept changing lines game in and out. He rarely got to play with Nuge and Ebs. He played extremely well no matter who was on the ice with him. He elevated his linemates game in and out. Which is the argument that people always use for JT. I'd take Hall everyday ahead of Nash. That's not homerism either.I like Nash. But Hall will be a top 5 player in this league for the next decade.

Cloutier you are the result of troglodytic half-siblings spending way too much time alone together.
- DoubleDown

Agreed. Clouts sucks ass. I just wish there were two Oiler bloggers on this site so we could go there to chat and Clouts could feel free to troll. How do the Flames get two bloggers

I'm PVRing the 3rd period. Its my favorite. Boston's 4th line is unreal. At least 100 times better than ours.
- Ihatebrianburke

No poop

And this is where everyone's arguements fall to pieces....it is obvious that you and most other trolls never watched the oil play last year. Hall played with 4-5 different centers last year. He never was on the same line because Kruger kept changing lines game in and out. He rarely got to play with Nuge and Ebs. He played extremely well no matter who was on the ice with him. He elevated his linemates game in and out. Which is the argument that people always use for JT. I'd take Hall everyday ahead of Nash. That's not homerism either.I like Nash. But Hall will be a top 5 player in this league for the next decade.
- Iggysbff

Hall as a top 5 player for the next decade is somewhat being a homer, sorry to break it to you. I can name at least 10 players right now better than him. That being said... Hall is better than Rick Nash. Nash is a little overrated. Hall may be the best winger or top 3 wingers in the league for sure.

Agreed. Clouts sucks ass. I just wish there were two Oiler bloggers on this site so we could go there to chat and Clouts could feel free to troll. How do the Flames get two bloggers
- Iggysbff

He already trolls his own with his alt accounts.

That would be very nice for the NHL and the sport of hockey, Phoenix on the other hand doesnt really have a chance, neither do the Panthers. Too many people who cant speak english down in south fla, "Little Cuba"
- GOA88

Agreed 100%. The Phoenix situation is and has been ridiculous. Cats situation hasn't hit rock bottom but long-term with the debt of that organization and the arena management company who owns and operates the arena I'm not sure they are sustainable.

Nashville, Tampa, and even Carolina are "non-traditional" markets who aren't going anywhere and quite frankly if not already there are certainly on the road to being successful markets ala San Jose. Phoenix is a no, and I'm afraid Miami will follow moving forward. Columbus has struggled not b/c of the market or the fans, simply crappy results and bad management. New Jersey I don't understand. Fantastic results over a long period of time yet the franchise seems to be on the edge of financial doom. I would think even though it is Jersey there are enough people that a franchise there should have no issues. There is more than enough big $ in Dallas so long-term that franchise is fine. Canadian markets are fine. Isles are fine just need to win more games, but the move to Brooklyn should help unless they signed a crappy arena deal. Those not listed are all well-entrenched or big markets with no issues.

He already trolls his own with his alt accounts.
- Ihatebrianburke

I have no doubts about that.

Hall as a top 5 player for the next decade is somewhat being a homer, sorry to break it to you. I can name at least 10 players right now better than him. That being said... Hall is better than Rick Nash. Nash is a little overrated. Hall may be the best winger or top 3 wingers in the league for sure.
- GOA88

There aren't too many forwards I would choose over him if I were starting to build a team. His compete level is top notch.