Comments on: Lightning vs. Capitals

By: TC_4

TC_4 — Thu, 03 Apr 2003 20:13:56 +0000

No, I’m happy the franchise is on there feet again, but look at Pittsburgh, they still draw with a losing team. Anaheim, did not. I’m sorry to all the fans in Anaheim(I don’t know where your from jon)but they only come out to see a team when it’s close to playoff time. The first couple of seasons, it was the hot sport. Gretzky was in L.A, and the city of Anaheim OFFICIALLY had there first pro sports team(I don’t consider the California Angels Anaheim’s first team, even though they were unofficially). I know, Pittsburgh still has Mario to come watch, but them, and Buffalo, are hockey cities. The fans in Buffalo are comming back next year, I don’t blame them for not comming to watch this season when it looked as though they would be moved. They both have over 30 years of history, Anaheim, Florida, Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Nashville, Carolina, and Atlanta don’t. Expanding to THAT many southern cities has been the NHL’s downfall. Maybe one team in Florida, one team in Texas(like there is), and 2 teams in California(because ask Jim Rome, No. cal and So. cal are like night and day), and leave it at that. I’m sorry if your a ducks fan, but they just won’t draw unless there is a consitant winner there all the time. Of course, you don’t even need a winner in a city, just the thought that your team has a chance(new C.B.A should take care of that hopefully)is all a city needs.

By: jon95616

jon95616 — Thu, 03 Apr 2003 02:33:04 +0000

The Ducks sold out every game their first few seasons…the Market is there…it just takes winning….trust me southern cali’s population is only going to go up, two teams is fine there.

By: jon95616

jon95616 — Thu, 03 Apr 2003 02:30:06 +0000

Anaheim is putting money into the team now. So when you go looking for a team to contract please look for a team that has no money to spend…Buffalo, Pitt…..??

By: TC_4

TC_4 — Thu, 03 Apr 2003 00:55:12 +0000

No. Carolina maybe before last season, but not just based on one season. Don’t get me wrong, I know what your saying, I just hope you know why I would pick those two teams. I mean up until this season, they had both made little to no progress since they entered the league. I mean 3 playoff appearances in 21 years combined is just AWFUL!!! Luckily for them, they both had strong season’s. I like the Ducks team, but in no way whatsoever should the city of Anaheim have an NHL team, not with the Kings already there.

By: aaron

aaron — Wed, 02 Apr 2003 22:40:57 +0000

If you’re going to base who’s going to be contracted based exclusively on patheticness, then Carolina/Pittsburgh are your teams.

By: Kalgon

Kalgon — Wed, 02 Apr 2003 19:41:16 +0000

yea me too- i would love to send him my regrets- NOT!

By: TC_4

TC_4 — Wed, 02 Apr 2003 19:12:22 +0000

I can’t wait to see this Tampa team in the playoffs. When we were talking last year about what teams to contract, I said Tampa and Anaheim for sure. I would still say Anaheim, because next year they may not have Oates and Thomas, and that will hurt them badly, plus they still don’t get fans(except for the last 2 weeks). Tampa’s rebuilding plan has finally taken flight this season, and Vinny gets to show what he’s made of. This playoffs, and next season, will be make it or break it for Vincent Lecavalier. It reminds me a lot of Alexandre Daigle. His best season was his 4th year. This is Vinny’s 5th, and his first in the playoffs, the year we thought Daigle had broke out, he was just AWFUL in the 7 games vs Buffalo. Well, I don’t think that’s happening with Lecavalier. I think he is going to be on fire, and the Lightning WILL knock out the Caps. 7 games if they have home ice, 6 if they don’t. Jagr isn’t the same player he once was, neither is Bondra. You can’t expect Sergei Gonchar to carry your offense. Kolzig I still think is overrated, not too much, but I do believe he has always had a strong d in front of him. But even though it’s like 6 vs 7, Tampa has played well enough all season(espically in the last 2 months)to be worthy of the 3rd seed, unlike Carolina was last year. But I believe this will be a tight series, with a lot of O.T games.

By: jon95616

jon95616 — Wed, 02 Apr 2003 18:45:37 +0000

If Jagr is at his best then its the Capitals series to win. If he doesnt step up, then Tampa Bay can take the series.

By: pantherboy

pantherboy — Wed, 02 Apr 2003 17:37:11 +0000

This will be the best goaltending series IMO. If I was a betting man (and I am) I say this will be exactly the same kind of series as the New Jersey-Buffalo series in 1994??? I think thats when it was. You had rookie of the year Broduer up against the emerging star Hasek. What a goaltending battle that was.

By: flyersruleclarkstillsucks

flyersruleclarkstillsucks — Wed, 02 Apr 2003 17:05:41 +0000

maybe you’re right, i do comment about my own comments too much, i guess i just agree with myself!