A good argument - IF the goalie can play like Murray or Jones (or Vasilevsky).

Most can't.
- StLBravesFan

It has been proven time and again that you can win the cup with an average goalie. In addition, even an average goalie can get "hot" at the right time. Cup winning goalies include the names of Osgood, Niemi, Vernon, Ward, Fleury. Also included can be elite goalies whose stats say they didn't necessarily play that way in the playoffs, though their teams still won, such as Quick (2014), Gigure, Richter, Fuhr

What is very difficult to do is to win with a below average goalie. Especially in this day and age of reduced scoring, consistently winning high scoring games becomes a major deterrent to cup success.

So they will make it desert related? boring.... Probably the rattlesnakes or the Cactus
- EnzoD

My vote is for your the skating STDS

It has been proven time and again that you can win the cup with an average goalie. In addition, even an average goalie can get "hot" at the right time. Cup winning goalies include the names of Osgood, Niemi, Vernon, Ward, Fleury. Also included can be elite goalies whose stats say they didn't necessarily play that way in the playoffs, though their teams still won, such as Quick (2014), Gigure, Richter, Fuhr

What is very difficult to do is to win with a below average goalie. Especially in this day and age of reduced scoring, consistently winning high scoring games becomes a major deterrent to cup success.
- TheTrob

So, my question would be are there any average goalies out there that might be available for considerably less than Crow? I like Crow and see him as an above average goalie not elite, but if the cap doesn't go up and we're forced shed salary, I'm not sure what other options we'd have.

Apparently there have been 3 Nevada pro hockey teams: the Thunder (AHL in the 90s); the Wranglers (ECHL in the 2000s); and a WCHL team in Reno.

LV also has a well-developed youth hockey program - The Storm, and the Flames - which run house-leagues and travel teams and a junior team - and the Heat, a girls only program.

This puts LV ahead of some of the other southern NHL cities - TB, Phoenix, Miami - which didn't begin youth hockey programs until the NHL arrived.

I got this information from a NY Times article, Jan 29, 2016.
- StLBravesFan

Good point Sage about Vegas already having set some hockey roots, especially at the youth level. A lot of credit goes to owner Kirk Brooks who has owned the USHL Tri City Storm for 7-8 years and has held their tryout camps in Vegas for awhile now. He also owns the WSHL Las Vegas Storm as well, a Tier III junior hockey league. He owns arenas both in Vegas and Kearney, NE where his two teams play. http://www.juniorhockey.c..._detail.php?news_id=81891

FYI the Tri City Storm just won their first ever USHL championship this year, the Clark Cup, sweeping the powerhouse Dubuque Fighting Saints owned by Peter Chiarelli and Phil Falcone part owner of the MN Wild. http://www.stormhockey.com/

Not sure if Vegas does well in the NHL but they have a few things going for them.

So, my question would be are there any average goalies out there that might be available for considerably less than Crow? I like Crow and see him as an above average goalie not elite, but if the cap doesn't go up and we're forced shed salary, I'm not sure what other options we'd have.
- walleyeb1

Anderson of Ottawa and Mason of Philly....... But I will point out this will be the first year an elite goalie hasn't won the cup. The last 6 cup winning goalies have been elite, Crow and Quick twice and Thomas of the Bruins.

IMO a non elite cup winning goalie this year is far from a trend.

I was told that at last year's convention several veterans (Toews specifically, Hossa, a couple of others) were just worn out, first from lots of hockey, then all the post-season and team summer crap (like the convention). They wanted to go home and rest.
- John Jaeckel

Jumping in late on this, but lots of discussion, yesterday and today, about growing the sport and all....

That includes taking part in marketing efforts like the convention and other team-public activities - ESPECIALLY the stars that the fans want to interact with.

It's not "summer crap" - it's how you build and maintain a fan base, ticket purchasers, and (more important for growth) TV viewers and merchandise buyers.

Want to increase the visibility of the sport and your marketability as an endorser? Take part without female doging.

[quote=EnzoD]Since the NHL team in Vegas is almost a sure thing, I was thinking about some potential team names for the new Las Vegas squad...


-Aces, Kings, Queens, or Jacks]

Think LA may take issue with it. Unless they want to be called the Kardashians.

- resqmed99

I like Jacks so we can refer to them as.... Jacks Offs... sorry but I couldn't resist.

Anderson of Ottawa and Mason of Philly....... But I will point out this will be the first year an elite goalie hasn't won the cup. The last 6 cup winning goalies have been elite, Crow and Quick twice and Thomas of the Bruins.

IMO a non elite cup winning goalie this year is far from a trend.
- Mr Ricochet

Matt Murray had absolutely unbelievable numbers in the AHL this year and last year. I dont think it's a stretch to say that he is playing at an Elite level and can sustain that level for a long period of time. As for Jones, he is a big body with good positioning. He reminds me of Carey Price Light in that they are both 6'4" and never seem to make an "unreal save", because they are just technically sound and always in the right spot. These two goalies, and Vasilevsky, will be highly paid goalies very soon, they are just very young. You still need a very good goalie to win the cup, it's just lucky that these teams were able to find young ones at a low cap hit. Corey Crawford was a very cost-effective goalie in 2013 too..



GO SHARKS!

My first concert, Stevie Ray Vaughan with Eddie Clearwater as the opener was there, so I have fond memories. Me and my 16 year old bud were probably the only ones not smoking weed, but after three hours of second hand smoke, we probably had our fill.

Really liked the shows I saw at the Metro, although it's been awhile.
- howiehandles

My first big concert, 1968 at the Kinetic Playground, was Jethro Tull and Led Zepplin opening for ... wait for it..... Vanilla Fudge. WOW you should have heard the boos when they introduced Vanilla Fudge. What a concert - one I will always cherish!

Not even a question

Vegas vipers with a viper head for logo

...and with that gift of a goal.

Unless something changes, it's the Pens series now.

...and with that gift of a goal.

Unless something changes, it's the Pens series now.
- ArlingtonRob

...and with that gift of a goal.

Unless something changes, it's the Pens series now.
- ArlingtonRob

Sharks look like dogpoop. x infinity if Crosbaby wins another Cup.

Ian Cole, Brian Doumelin, Justin Schultz, Ben Lovejoy, Oli Maataa and Kris Letang. I dont know how this team is locking down the Sharks so effectively with this makeshift group of defensemen. The Hawks could have acquired Cole, Schultz or Dumelin for scraps....Mike Sullivan is a magician in molding this defense group into three competent pairings.

Ian Cole, Brian Doumelin, Justin Schultz, Ben Lovejoy, Oli Maataa and Kris Letang. I dont know how this team is locking down the Sharks so effectively with this makeshift group of defensemen. The Hawks could have acquired Cole, Schultz or Dumelin for scraps....Mike Sullivan is a magician in molding this defense group into three competent pairings.
- EnzoD

Seems like the Penguins forwards drop back and then quickly skate out the puck after a short pass from a Penguins defenseman. But then the three Pens forwards wreak havoc in the O-zone almost without the Pens D-men even pinching. By the time all 5 Sharks have dropped back to get the puck, they have no other option than to skate the puck out. The Sharks never get an odd-man rush because the Pens' D who haven't pinched are waiting for them. Then, before the Sharks can get all 5 guys involved, the Pens' forwards out-skate them on the backcheck.

Ian Cole, Brian Doumelin, Justin Schultz, Ben Lovejoy, Oli Maataa and Kris Letang. I dont know how this team is locking down the Sharks so effectively with this makeshift group of defensemen. The Hawks could have acquired Cole, Schultz or Dumelin for scraps....Mike Sullivan is a magician in molding this defense group into three competent pairings.
- EnzoD

I wonder if they practice....

I wonder if they practice....
- Return of the Roar

I'm not making this about Q. I'm simply stating that what Mike Sullivan has done from Crosby down to Dumelin is nothing short of amazing. The Penguins are playing the Sharks out of the building (even if the score is only 1-0). The roster additions by Rutherford and the magic formula that Sullivan has found looks like it wont be stopped. Sharks need to find what worked for them in rounds 1-3, and FAST.

I'm not making this about Q.
- EnzoD

I know, I was


But it is probably safe to say that Sullivan's talents are not realized via osmosis.

SHARKS!! BRAUN!! STEAL THIS GAME!!!

I'm not making this about Q. I'm simply stating that what Mike Sullivan has done from Crosby down to Dumelin is nothing short of amazing. The Penguins are playing the Sharks out of the building (even if the score is only 1-0). The roster additions by Rutherford and the magic formula that Sullivan has found looks like it wont be stopped. Sharks need to find what worked for them in rounds 1-3, and FAST.
- EnzoD

Screw it. Let's make it about Q. Didn't Scotty suggest putting Toews and Kane together against Chara in 2013? And putting Byfuglien on Toews' line, especially against Pronger in 2010? So Q didn't even come up with the winning ideas that changed the series!! It was Scotty Bowman!

Hey, do you think he would come back and coach?

Kessel needs to be added to Team USA, yesterday.

Ian Cole, Brian Doumelin, Justin Schultz, Ben Lovejoy, Oli Maataa and Kris Letang. I dont know how this team is locking down the Sharks so effectively with this makeshift group of defensemen. The Hawks could have acquired Cole, Schultz or Dumelin for scraps....Mike Sullivan is a magician in molding this defense group into three competent pairings.
- EnzoD

A good forecheck from the Penguins and the frequent turnovers by Sharks D will make these 6 Dmen look even better.

nice obvious high stick non call on burns...emerick commented about a missed high stick on letang earlier that was not called...

so officials keep track of their blown calls to even-up later...

don't want to impact the game but their non calls also impact the game...

Kessel needs to be added to Team USA, yesterday.
- EnzoD

Ol' Phil refuses to block shots. That's a must with Tortorella, just ask the Sedins. So Ryan Callahan gets his spot. What a joke.

Ol' Phil refuses to block shots. That's a must with Tortorella, just ask the Sedins. So Ryan Callahan gets his spot. What a joke.
- RickJ

Team USA is going to get beaten by the U-23 Team, Book It!