-DG

Quite a few of the players spent the entire offseason training, getting in better shape. Prime example, Jeff Cowan. I would have predicted three goals all year, three already. Some of the guys were primed to get better, but it goes very much under the radar in light of what took place. Which is how it should be.

But as always I’m a realist. Even knowing the effort being given, the playoffs will be a big stretch. Losing Savard ’till January really hurts. But like Hartley said, no excuses. That’s one thing I truly believe you can bank on this year, these guys will not quit. Period. They’ve had every reason to but they just won’t. Will they be this good all year? The fan in me greatly hopes so, the pragmatist in me says no. Either way, they will be a difficult team to play, even when and if their play levels out.

by the way, it was the other sister, Henrik :P

1. Their road record is a dismal 1-3.

2. The goaltending gives up too many rebounds and the defenders are having trouble clearing men from the crease.

3. May I interest you in discipline? Stay out of the box, guys. Simon, Holik, Barnaby, Kaspar, are just a few of the guys who take bad and untimely penalties, some even in the offensive zone.

On a more positive note, this team is still mending, being that Brian Leetch never had a training camp nor a preseason, and Eric Lindros just came back from an injury which took him out for 2-3 weeks. The new additions are playing well, Simon, Hlavac, Rucinsky, and DeVries have all been good. And I remember all these people saying that Hartford sucks… producing no young talent… may I interest you in Jamie Lundmark? Dominic Moore? I know Lundmark played half of last year in NY, but he still was apart of Hartford’s system.

As for Cujo, he’ll be traded eventually… when Holland lowers his asking price to a pylon.

I think the Thrashers will come back down to earth myself, but I believe there’s a strong possibility of them making it. Like mentioned before by Defenestrate, they’re playing on emotion like Montreal did with Koivu in 02, and Atlanta has a brick wall in net in Pasi Nurminen, and still has a goaltender that’s expendable for a trade.

Go Nucks.

Who says enforcers can’t be good guys? Sandy McCarthy is one of the league’s best, and he’s one of the most charitable guys in the NHL. Georgie Laraque is another. Don’t believe me, E-mail Georgie, he’ll e-mail you back, and it will be HIM typing it. Matt Barnaby is another, if you’re a member of the Barnaby Brigade, you know Matt’s a real good guy that e-mails back a large portion of his e-mails, even with a tight schedule.

As for the Leafs, they’ve been sluggish. The injuries add up, yes, but there’s no denying that they’ve been very sluggish on the ice. They better put their shit together or they’ll start being called Canada’s version of the Rangers.

Dougie Weight… what the hell are you doing, man?

On my final note… EVERYONE misses the 80′s. Good, fun hockey.

Second. Weight is a pussy, should have got at least 5 games and more money just to make the sucker pay.

Lastly, dont hold your breath for the Rangers… You’ll quickly get blue in the face

But just remember: Sather was a good coach in Edmonton. And he was also a good GM. Nothing comes easy, ranger$$$ fans…

Quick responses:

1.) When I have the time, I think it would be interesting to do some math and figure out what it’s costing per game for the Rangers, Wings, Stars, and even my beloved Avs to all hover around the .500 mark. I think that’s the true test of payroll, and would be an excellent league bargaining chip come CBA time.

2.) Rob Ray was very generous – he would hit anyone for free, whether they asked for it or not.

3.) Atlanta is running on emotion and a good coach (sorry, CW). I have the feeling they will turn mortal again soon, although a decent playoff berth is not out of the question.

4.) Trade Curtis Joseph to the Colorado Mammoth (National Lacrosse League, for you heathens who live in caves and worship fire).

Come to think of it, Rob Ray could play there too.

No comment on the Leafs thing – it’s just too easy.

This stuff is interesting, and it only takes me 10 minutes read (I’m a slow reader,LOL).

And the tbay lightning, how many have they lost? like 2 or 3, so what?