Like who? Vanouver is worse, Calgary is worse, SJ is worse, Chicago is worse, Dallas is worse, Phoenix is about to get worse. Minny added Suter so will be tougher, LA will be tough, Anaheim is worse. Tell me how the west got tougher and better defensively?

- Iggysbff

Um.... Yeah... SJ is worse by signing Stuart and more importantly, hiring Larry Robinson....

So you throw out a bunch of teams and say they are worse without giving an actual reasonable explanation, and you expect people to take you seriously?

How is SJ worse they just added Stuart.

How is Vancouver worse? They didn't lose anyone important and they added Garrison.

How is Chicago worse? They will be healthy this year.

Dallas is not worse, they have some question marks with how well the veterans they brought in will hold up but largely they are a more skilled team. They lost some grit in OTT but that's one player. Ribero for Whitney & Jagr? OTT for Roy?

Calgary, yeah they are worse did I list them? No..

Phoenix is going to be hurting offensively if they lose Doan but there is no guarantee of that and they will be largely the same physical defensive team that they were before.

Anaheim is in fact not worse or better, same team.. Basically hanging in the balance between rebuilding or retooling. A lot of questions going forward but they will still be a physical team as they always have been.
- Steve-B

Um.... Yeah... SJ is worse by signing Stuart and more importantly, hiring Larry Robinson....

- Team_Teal

Already had you covered bud, California kids stick together. (Born in Stockton, respect/hate all California teams. =)

Yeah I like Hartikainen, as long as they give him ice time with Hemsky still there. If they don't.. There is going to be lots of owies over the year for the orange blooded's top 6.
- Steve-B

Some of our secondary guys will get good looks right out of the gates, as Hall is probably out for the first 20 games or so.

Already had you covered bud, California kids stick together. (Born in Stockton, respect/hate all California teams. =)
- Steve-B

I was born in Santa Monica, live in Portland now. i guess you've always been a couple hundred miles north of me.

We're like Will Smith and Charlize Theron in Hancock (me being Will of course.) We can't be a couple hundred miles away or we'll lose our superpowers.

Ok, I took that a little too far.

Your Avatar and Name get a from me. 80s & 90s action movies.

Nashville and Phoenix are losing a lot of offense, that isn't going to be filled by guys just stepping up. Nashville should probably be one of the main teams in on Ryan or Nash if they could be.
- Steve-B

Don't know what offense we lost though... Tootoo would hardly be considered an offensive threat. Defectulov went back to Russia but we didn't have him till the last 10 games of the season anyway. Everyone else is the same. Defensively I think we let Bouillion go, Suter is obviously gone... but we have a ton of talented prospects ready for a go up in the show. Ellis and Blum just to name 2. Offensively, I would poop a kitten if we got Ryan or Nash. That would solidify us as having 3 if not 4 decent to good scoring lines. Still a very solid defense. And an elite netminder in Rinne with a decent backup. Preds will be fine.

I was born in Santa Monica, live in Portland now. i guess you've always been a couple hundred miles north of me.

We're like Will Smith and Charlize Theron in Hancock (me being Will of course.) We can't be a couple hundred miles away or we'll lose our superpowers.

Ok, I took that a little too far.
- StayTunedMTC

Haha, maybe just a little

Don't know what offense we lost though... Tootoo would hardly be considered an offensive threat. Defectulov went back to Russia but we didn't have him till the last 10 games of the season anyway. Everyone else is the same. Defensively I think we let Bouillion go, Suter is obviously gone... but we have a ton of talented prospects ready for a go up in the show. Ellis and Blum just to name 2. Offensively, I would poop a kitten if we got Ryan or Nash. That would solidify us as having 3 if not 4 decent to good scoring lines. Still a very solid defense. And an elite netminder in Rinne with a decent backup. Preds will be fine.
- Van~Damage

You lost AK46 right? Isn't there issues with the other one as well? and the reason AK46 & Defectulov (lol) was brought in was because you guys needed offense right?

So your back where you started before you guys could really win a round in the playoffs except now minus Suter.. (And Suter is losing offense.. Especially as much of a catalyst as he was for Weber & the forwards.)

You lost AK46 right? Isn't there issues with the other one as well? and the reason AK46 & Defectulov (lol) was brought in was because you guys needed offense right?

So your back where you started before you guys could really win a round in the playoffs except now minus Suter.. (And Suter is losing offense.. Especially as much of a catalyst as he was for Weber & the forwards.)
- Steve-B

Ah hell yeah I forgot about Andrei. I'm thinking we've offered him a contract though as well as his brother. We still have a few guys out there that haven't signed on the dotted line yet but I don't think it will be an issue...at least I hope it isn't.

And yes, Suter is definitely considered losing offense but I believe Ellis or Josi could fill that spot well. Hell they'd be paired with Weber so it would bring their game to a new level.

Who knows for sure. Too early to predict this poop... regardless i just want the damn puck to drop!

Fast pretty plays don't work as well in the NHL as in junior. Edmonton is going to have to balance out their forward ranks with some size if they want to have success. How is Hall going to be right after his shoulder sugery? RNH needs 20lbs, Yakupov is small and just as reckless as Hall.

The faster all of those guys skate the harder they will get hit and who on your team is going to do a damn thing about it? Shultz is also like what 185lbs?

Edmonton is going to be icing a junior all-star team versus NHL teams for at least the next two years.
- Steve-B

I agree. They have a huge upside.... but is there the leadership to see this group through March to April.

I see the Edmonton fans here would rather play insulting games rather than actually talk about Hockey.

Hey Conrats on Winning in the 80s. Unless your Zamboni is a Delorean with a flux capasitor.... then.... well..... best of luck!

Ah hell yeah I forgot about Andrei. I'm thinking we've offered him a contract though as well as his brother. We still have a few guys out there that haven't signed on the dotted line yet but I don't think it will be an issue...at least I hope it isn't.

And yes, Suter is definitely considered losing offense but I believe Ellis or Josi could fill that spot well. Hell they'd be paired with Weber so it would bring their game to a new level.

Who knows for sure. Too early to predict this poop... regardless i just want the damn puck to drop!
- Van~Damage

Yeah, I think pretty much everyone is pulling for Nashville but it's going to be difficult.

(Good god I know.. These are always the longest months of my life. Luckily Salmon are running here so that is a good distraction.)

Um.... Yeah... SJ is worse by signing Stuart and more importantly, hiring Larry Robinson....

- Team_Teal

Yeah another year to ur core does wonders Find a fountain of youth in Cali? All the sharks have proved is to be a competitive for the last 10 years and have sweet (frank) all to show for it

I agree. They have a huge upside.... but is there the leadership to see this group through March to April.

I see the Edmonton fans here would rather play insulting games rather than actually talk about Hockey.

Hey Conrats on Winning in the 80s. Unless your Zamboni is a Delorean with a flux capasitor.... then.... well..... best of luck!
- Beatle_john

I sure hope Vancouver gets their poop together this year as time is running out... And the oilers are coming.... I repeat the oilers are coming!

Yeah, I think pretty much everyone is pulling for Nashville but it's going to be difficult.

(Good god I know.. These are always the longest months of my life. Luckily Salmon are running here so that is a good distraction.)
- Steve-B

You tell urself that buddy... Nashville is done... Everyone knows it....In the end they will have rinne...

I sure hope Vancouver gets their poop together this year as time is running out... And the oilers are coming.... I repeat the oilers are coming!
- saskoil21

I am not sure I subscribe to the "Window" opening and closing theory anymore. It seems since the new CBA there are haves and have nots. Those with assets seem to be able to trade for more.

But I agree Vancouver needs some changes... Doan anyone.... and so does Edmonton.... DOAN ANYONE!!!...... but I also agree that a new Edmonton team would be good for Hockey. Get the Northwest division going... and we can have a mutual hate for the Flames.

Yeah, I think pretty much everyone is pulling for Nashville but it's going to be difficult.

(Good god I know.. These are always the longest months of my life. Luckily Salmon are running here so that is a good distraction.)
- Steve-B

We're on the verge, man. Finally some great ownership and cash flow. Poile has finally pulled the fingers out of his own ass so he can pull the trigger with some deals, and Trotz is still Trotz. Bringing in more key guys like Fish, Gill, and Gaustad. Love the direction. Suter is a negative but poop happens. I just hope we keep pushing forward.

And yeah, other than me about to start paramedic school i've got nothing. (frank) baseball till October... I'll just stick with NHL 12 to hold me over till then

I sure hope Vancouver gets their poop together this year as time is running out... And the oilers are coming.... I repeat the oilers are coming!
- saskoil21

Cause some lumberjack lookin street ho is giving you guys a tug job? Your best bet is to blow it up and start over. Maybe this time it will work

The Kings got lucky at the right time, ended up on a hot streak just in time to steal a Stanley Cup. Congrats, enjoy it, but don't act like your team has any chance of repeating. Much like the Carolina Hurricanes & Edmonton Oilers of 2006, the LA Kings are "one & done". Enjoy it for the rest of the summer.
- Sammy Van Hagar

I don't think that's an apt comparison at all; sure, LA was
playing their best -perhaps by far- hockey of the season but
they just took out the top teams in the west 1-2-3.
Many previous winners have had the good fortune of facing
far lesser teams to get to the finals. The Canes? Can you
imagine getting to the finals and finding your opponent to
be the oilers that year? It's never an easy path but the kings
totally earned that one.

You tell urself that buddy... Nashville is done... Everyone knows it....In the end they will have rinne...
- saskoil21

SuperTroll!

Come back when your number one center does not miss 20 games after falling down. Your comments may.. be taken seriously then.

I don't think that's an apt comparison at all; sure, LA was
playing their best -perhaps by far- hockey of the season but
they just took out the top teams in the west 1-2-3.
Many previous winners have had the good fortune of facing
far lesser teams to get to the finals. The Canes? Can you
imagine getting to the finals and finding your opponent to
be the oilers that year? It's never an easy path but the kings
totally earned that one.
- BobbySchmautz

+1

I don't think that's an apt comparison at all; sure, LA was
playing their best -perhaps by far- hockey of the season but
they just took out the top teams in the west 1-2-3.
Many previous winners have had the good fortune of facing
far lesser teams to get to the finals. The Canes? Can you
imagine getting to the finals and finding your opponent to
be the oilers that year? It's never an easy path but the kings
totally earned that one.
- BobbySchmautz

Oilers took out Detroit, San Jose and an Anaheim team that was one Pronger and Niedermayer away from a Cup. If you think that series was a cakewalk for Carolina you obviously didn't watch it. They needed 7 games and Edmonton played their backup goalie from game 1 on.

I give full credit to the Kings but damn am I getting tired of the insults and trolling. Enough is bloody well enough.

Oilers fans: knock of the trolling and bravado. We haven't won poop yet and have finished 30,30,29 the last three years. Save he poop talking until we actually make the playoffs. See my avatar? Its not there as a badge of pride.

Trolls: (frank) yourselves. That is all.

There. Now we can all get along.

[quote=GuyLaDouche]

If Roloson never got injured, we would have won the cup... There's not a single doubt in my mind...

If Roloson never got injured, we would have won the cup... There's not a single doubt in my mind...
- laughs2907

Meh. Who knows. I just take issue with the suggestion that it was some Sunday stroll for Carolina.

If Roloson never got injured, we would have won the cup... There's not a single doubt in my mind...
- laughs2907

If onlys and justs were candies and nuts then every day would be Ernte Dank Fest - D. Schute



Don't worry... I have a litany of "what-ifs" for the Nucks/Bruins....

If onlys and justs were candies and nuts then every day would be Ernte Dank Fest - D. Schute



Don't worry... I have a litany of "what-ifs" for the Nucks/Bruins....
- Beatle_john

I know... Like if the Nucks played hockey instead of diving, they may have won.

Seriously though, it's (frank)ed up... Pittsburgh lost this year because of mental reasons as well.

VAN
CHI
LA
STL
DET
PHX
DAL
MIN

NSH
ANA
COL
CGY
SJ
CLB
EDM
- GOODPLAYA20

you make me very sad