Yumcha

It was the Antti Niemi Show today.

Stole a game for the Hawks.

Yumcha

And oh, who wins that key offensive-zone draw that set up Big Buff's game-winning goal...? Captain Serious.


He's my vote for the Conn Smythe right now with Halak.

Yumcha

You mean 7, Herr Mod.

jupitersolo

6-0, didn't think would see a score like that

Costco

:shakehead Sharks....

what happened to the Habs?

Yumcha

^ Just one game.

Costco

The past several years I haven't worried about the Sharks too much during the regular season... but in the playoffs I always get a little worried. I realized home ice didn't mean much when the Blackhawks were 5-1 in the playoffs this season, now 6-1.

Niemi didn't miss a beat. The 1 goal we did make was basically a fluke. Plus with all the momentum we had against the Wings.... I've said too much already

dom

Yup. I was thinking about that yesterday. And I'm more than prepared to eat crow. But the stats I posted during our spat still stand. You need good/great goal tending to win. Seems we're in the middle of somewhat of a changing of the guard as far as goalies go.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

You're right guys-this has been a set of playoff games of no-name goaltenders! Kind of amazing.....

Oswald Vater

Neimi was superb for CHI yesterday. So was Leighton for PHL. I expect both SJ and MON to play better in game 2 but I'm hoping for another FLYERS WIN! Last night was simply dominating. This team of history is also a team of destiny! Bring the cup back to Broad Street! Lord Stanley needs a cheesesteak!

Yumcha

@ $67M...

Story here: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=321824

dom

I really hope the NHL implements a max contract length of about 5 years in the next CBA. These 10 and 12 year deals are stupid and do nothing but handicap the teams and limit movement throughout the league.

Yumcha

It works out in some cases and in some cases not.

Not sure about your perspective but, if say Toews or Crosby were Leafs, I'd be guessing you'd be clamoring for a 20 year contract...?

Oops...strike those two. Use Doughty as my example instead.






Then, you have players like DiPietro.

jupitersolo

Disagree, players already have a cap going against them.

dom

No, not at all. And Dipietro is the reason. Giving out these long contracts can screw you over in the event of an injury and in the event that a player mails it in. Yashin anyone?

Does it give the team and its fans security? Sure, but at a huge risk. If god forbid Hossa tears up a knee. or more likely mails it in, we'll see where you stand on these deals.

And do the players have the cap 'against' them? 55% of league revenues doesn't sound like its against them to me. Especially considering its risk free on their end. They're getting too much as far as I'm concerned.

Moog-Type-S

@ the Flyers!!!

Yumcha

Oh, don't get me wrong...I'm not all-in for these mega long contracts for everyone. However, for a certain percentage of players, I'm absolutely for it.

For instance, I'd lock up players like Toews, Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, and Miller for 10 year deals. No problem. Those for me are clear-cut as they are elite players...

Then, you have the borderline "star" players that gets these...those don't make too much sense to me. For instance, Hossa and Campbell are deals that are a bit risky for me...Obviously, I'm not as critical of them because I'm happy with their play since joining the Hawks. But, yeah...you do raise a good point about injury and etc.

Yumcha

Hindsight is easy...I'm as surprised as anyone since I didn't pick Philly to win anything.

That being said, if you look at that defence (i.e. Timonen, Pronger, Carle, Coburn, etc.) along with their forwards, it's not all that surprising anymore. And again, if the rest of the team can adopt a good system and play smart, who needs a "name-brand" goalie...? So, I would not be shocked to see the Flyers make it with Leighton/Boucher at this point.

dom

Defiant til the end.

You realize that Montreal has neither played smart or has an effective system yet look where they are now?

They're there for 1 reason and 1 reason only. Sure he's not a name brand goalie but will we be able to say that in 5 years time? He has to start somewhere.

Yumcha

Halak is a name-brand goalie...?


He was a no-name until this year. The entire debate between you and Moog pages back was that you two refused to believe that a goalie who was unproven could be a factor in the playoffs. I maintained that it was not the case and that a team which plays smart and with a good system has a great of a chance as any...

In fact, that was my entire point about Chicago having a possible shot at the Cup this year. If the defence held up and if they can keep the shots and quality chances down for the most part, they'd be in every series...Yesterday's game against SJ was an exception. Niemi absolutely stole the show. But, regardless, he's got zero playoffs experience prior to this year.

Lookit Luongo, Miller, Brodeur...the biggest name-goalies that started the playoffs. All ousted by teams with no-name goalies.

dom

Yumchah, did you actually read my post or did you just begin typing?

Sure he's not a name brand goalie That was in the 2nd paragraph.

I don't want to get into all this again but I don't think you took anything out of our little spat.

I never said that you needed a name brand goalie to win. I always maintained that chances are, it helps. I then posted stats that back that up. Again, its not an exact science but the stats don't lie.

You always maintained that you don't need a great goalie to win. and your right, the stats back that up as well but they also say that it doesn't happen nearly as often.

And don't forget the stat about a no-name cup winning goalies going on to have a great career afterward. Because as it turns out, you have to pretty damn good to win a cup. So lets see where this year's cup winner ends up.

Don't let me have to come up to the land of snow, ice and robots to have to explain this again.

dom

But I will admit I was wrong about the Hawks goal tending situation. But I was also under the impression that Huet would be carrying the load.

But I also said that if there was a year to do it without goal tending, this was it in the West.

Yumcha

The snow has thankfully left this area.

Yumcha

He had his misses (RFA fiasco)...but, his hits were gems (i.e. Sharp, Versteeg, Toews, etc.)...

Good GM overall...

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=381343

Yumcha

Reading hockeybuzz.com...and am shocked at the Flyers' fans...

WTF...?!?

dom

Agreed. He was pushed out by the elder Bowman IMO. That team is his.

dom

Meh, Habs fans deserve worse IMO.

Costco

Don't be so greedy, San Jose deserves its first ever Stanley Cup

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Hey, Lord Stanley needs a Chicago deep dish pizza worse!





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.

Yumcha

Not if Toews et al can help it.



Chicago's #19 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> San Jose's #19

Moog-Type-S

Suck it, guppies!

adlx21

hey everybody...SHUT UP!
SHARKS > CHI in 7
FLYERS > MON in 6

SHARKS > FLYERS 6
Cup Winners = Sharks

kthx hahahaha

black label

If you ever want to give up this Maple Leaf nonsense and want to move to Boston, you've past the test with flying colors.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Go sharks and habs!

Oswald Vater

Greedy?? Flyers haven't won a cup in 35 years. I was a sophomore in college then and now I'm a grandfather!! But then again, SJ hasn't won one yet so I see your point.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

I wish both games were not on the same night. It looks like it's the same scenerio as Sunday.

Oswald Vater

[QUOTE=Steven Bell;12023127]Hey, Lord Stanley needs a Chicago deep dish pizza worse!

True - I think it's been since 61 for the Hawks? However, I do hope they have to wait at least another year!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Owald, if they wait another year-it won't happen. The Blackhawks will have BAD salary cap problems for next year. This team won't be in tact for 2010/2011. And I would be suprised, since what they need to do with the team to get under the cap for next year, will improve the team from where it is now. They're going to have to part with either Big Buf, Patrick Sharp or Chris Versteeg-at the minimum.

Yes, it's been since 1961-let's get the Hawks a Stanley Cup and then someone else can be on the "long list" for not winning the Stanley Cup.

jupitersolo

You'd think they would stagger the game days, it could take two weeks for this round to be over. Both on same night just stupid.

dom

I'm sure the Leafs will be more than willing to take some of those salaries off your hands.

I heard an interesting tidbit of information on the way home from work yesterday. I'm sure you Hawk fans will love this.

When the Hawks last won a cup in 1961 Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull were the same age that Toews and Kane are right now.