Flash
Man of a Thousand Holds 
Posts 1016
Registered 4-22-2005 Location Brantford, Ontario Member Is Offline Mood:
|
| posted on 10-10-2011 at 06:44 PM |
|
|
NHL 2011-2012 season thread
I know there's a few other shinny fans out there, so I figured I'd get the ball rolling on this thread for any and all news, predictions,
or rumours going on throughout the season...
So thus far after the absolutely terrible summer that we had which included an overdose, two suicides, and a plane crash which claimed the lives of
every member of a Russian KHL team (including several long time NHL'ers), the big story of this season has been the amount and length of
suspensions for dirty hits that new NHL sherrif Brendan Shanahan has been handing out.
I think some of the panic about the amount and length of suspensions has been a bit overblown, and instead choose to see this season as a growing
pains year much the first year back after the lockout saw a surge in obstruction calls as the players grew used to the new rules. I think as the bar
gets continually set higher and as Shanny sets a zero-tolerance standard many of the players will get the message and we'll see things get
better and a more relaxed approach to officiating return once a new status quo has been created.
On the positive side of things, despite my firm belief that it would never happen, the Jets once again are calling Winnipeg home. While the team is
deep on prospects this hasn't been a team with a lot of success back in Atlanta, so I don't expect the team to suddenly become a top
contender just because they've moved to the frozen North. In saying that though, the players are now playing in front of full seats and
passionate fans instead of a city that for as much as the NHL has had a hard on for, has now failed in two seperate attempts to get hockey over - so
I'm thinking that the Jets will struggle, but I do expect a lot more out of them as they'll firmly have a loud and vocal fanbase behind
the for the first time ever.
Rumourwise, the Leafs are eager to add a top six forward who will fit in with their team, and the Edmonton Oilers are looking to beef up their defense
in hopes of not finishing dead last for the third straight year despite it leading to some really great prospects... With Nugent Hopkins having made
the team the Oil are a little thicke up the middle on their top six, and those young kids need minutes to justify their presence in the lineup instead
of back in junior or the AHL, so the big name being bounced around is Sam Gagner to Toronto for either defenseman Mike Komisarek, or a combo of d-man
Carl Gunnarson and depth centre Tyler Bozak. Because of his salary Shawn Horcoff is always being mentioned as potential trade bait, although the
Oilers (who need to stay above the salary cap floor) may want to see if the old Hemsky, Smythe, Horcoff line can recapture some of its magic.
With Kyle Turris remaining unsigned in Phoenix he's another young skilled centre who's name is being attatched to a lot of speculation.
My cup winner prediction: The Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago has a lot to prove after getting bounced by the Canucks last year and boast some of the top players in the league both up front and on the
blue line. Yes they do have some problems, but their determined and talented, always a tough combo to beat.
Toronto on the other hand will be on the outside looking in for another year barring a major trade or some major commitment to team play.
|
|
|
williamssl
Steers and Queers 
Posts 4317
Registered 1-11-2004 Location Hippieville Member Is Offline Mood: Fuck USC
|
| posted on 10-13-2011 at 04:51 AM |
|
|
Stay classy, Philadelphia!
Don't Mess With Texas
|
|
|
bigfatgoalie
The Man
Posts 5464
Registered 1-16-2002 Location London, ON Member Is Offline Mood:
|
| posted on 11-22-2011 at 05:57 AM |
|
|
Sidney Crosby is a very good hockey player. That is all.
|
|
|
Bonestein
The Rowdy One
Posts 2647
Registered 7-24-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: partypartyparty
|
| posted on 11-22-2011 at 03:32 PM |
|
|
That is correct.
That's racism man! I love to racism bro!
|
|
|
|
