Comments on: Door opening for Iginla deal

By: lafleur10

lafleur10 — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:09:23 +0000

yeah and it's going to pay off in spades, the oilers are going to be a very dynamic offensive machine and will wel on their way to being a cup contender very,very soon,they will get their defenceman and goaltender too,and when they do they'll be lethal!

By: albertateams

albertateams — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:22:17 +0000

Edmonton's luck is truly incredible. The rebuild is successful in spite of management incompetence. Drafting 1st overall three years in a row is insanely lucky.

By: FlamingHomer

FlamingHomer — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:33:38 +0000

I hope you are right but now that it looks like Calgary is getting a new coach, Iginla is likely staying for the time being.

By: lafleur10

lafleur10 — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:31:20 +0000

i just wanted to say congrulations to albertateams for winning the draft lottery,i hope you guys enjoy nail yakupov!

By: nordiques100

nordiques100 — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:09:53 +0000

Sutter and the Flames part ways. Perfect time for this organization to start fresh. Really fresh.

New coach, new captain, new goalie, new direction.

This organization needs it. When they were great in the 80s, it was their drafting and development that led the way. They need to get back to that.

They probably don't want to do an Edmonton, but i rather have Hall, Eberle, RNH, Yakubov with some real hope down the line than a patchwork Flames team with less than a handful of prospects and 3 straight missed playoffs.

By: nordiques100

nordiques100 — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:06:59 +0000

The reason Buffalo had just Joel Armia as the only Euro was because they have gone with video scouting the last several years and probably had a bare bones staff in Europe. That's changed now supposedly with ownership now willing to spend, but I bet that's why they pretty well ignored Europe.

I think the new Habs regime will change their draft ways. More canadians for sure is what I expect. Not necessarily french-canadians, but definitely less from the US ranks. I remember back in the late 80s to Mid 90s they couldn't not take a player from the WHL. Brett Bilodeau, David Wilkie, Terry Ryan, Matt Higgins, Turner Stevenson, Lindsay Vallis, the list goes on.

The Hawks drafted a lot of college kids because they ran out of contract space with all those trades they made after their cup win. With only 50 contracts available, they appeared to go to the US and find more players in college because they won't need to be signed until they graduate at the latest. OHLers for example need to be signed after 2 years from being picked.

i dont blame the Flames or Oilers for doing what they do. It may be overkill but if they get players from that area, they may be more apt to stay there in Alberta.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:55:32 +0000

Here's an interesting look at all 30 NHL team draft habits over the past 5 years. It's not a conclusive pattern or anything but its an interesting look.

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/jrhockey-buzzing-the-net/look-30-nhl-teams-tendencies-past-5-draft-211539097.html;_ylt=AlCHvfex3.QZdhlBewbFjuh.nAY6;_ylu=X3oDMTFkYjB2cTZzBG1pdANCbG9ncyBJbmRleARwb3MDNTAEc2VjA01lZGlhQmxvZ0luZGV4VGVtcA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFvZzc0cXR2BGludGwDY2EEbGFuZwNlbi1jYQRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

Some interesting notes. Only the Isles and Kings have drafted more OHLers than the Leafs.

The Sens drafted the most Swedes, with 8.

Calgary and Edmonton drafted the most WHLers with 14 to Clagary and 11 to Edmonton.

The Canadies, Panthers, Blue Jackets and Blackhawks drafted the most USA hockey program players.

For a team that often draws the "Russian" label, Washington hasn't taken too many players out of Russia. While they do lead teh pack, they only have three in teh past 5 years, with the Pantehrs, Kings and Rangers tying them.

The Oilers and Wild drafted the most Finns with 4 each.

By: albertateams

albertateams — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:48:03 +0000

I've been to 2 games in Nashville this year. Both times great atmosphere and packed house. Fans are not as knowledgable as other rinks but they know how to get into a game and have a good time. They use a lot of college football cheers its pretty entertaining.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:15:12 +0000

Oh I believe it. I've wanted to go to a game there for sometime now. Nashville's done a great job of creating a great atmosphere of fans. I love their fans,

By: TheLeafNation91

TheLeafNation91 — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:08:25 +0000

I went to the game…Believe it or not, unreal atmosphere.