National Hockey League 2012-13

[gvox]

Who the hell wants to watch hockey in the middle of June when its 30 degrees and sunny? The whole shooting match should be wrapped up by April 30, tops.

 

[BoMac]

Rumours abound of a Rick Nash to Flyers trade being held up by JVR's surgery.

If true, that would be crazy as it's in no way addressing the Flyers' real weaknesses: goaltending and defense. They do not need another forward.

 

[LuckyNumber7]

We'll take him.

 

[PhilsFan]

Yeah, I just want defense.

 

[elevated_u2_fan]

If that is the case, I can't imagine Holmgren is making a good impression of himself with the players, he seems to sign them to long-term deals and then trade them a year later.

 

[BoMac]

I have to wonder, however, if some of these long-term mega-deals are really the doings of the owner and not the general manager and the GM, in turn, is left to clean up the mess.

Not sure if Ed Snider is that kind of owner but, in retrospect, what GM in their right mind would give such a huge deal to Bryzgalov?

 

[LuckyNumber7]

And wha GM could do any of that without approval of an owner?

 

[PhilsFan]

Snider is a very hands-on owner who has a lot of say. The basic structure in Philly is that Snider puts forth general commands ("I've had it with this shit, get me a franchise goaltender") and Homer tried to work within the confines of that. The 2011 offseason was one of the best performances by a general manager ever (turning Richards and Carter into Couturier, Schenn, Voracek and Simmonds while also adding Read), even if you consider Bryzgalov a mistake. It at least keeps the team competitive for many years to come.

And it's not like Bryzgalov is bad. He just may never live up to his contract. There are worse things to be. He actually played really well towards the end of the regular season until he got hurt, and it seemed to disrupt all of his momentum heading into the playoffs. He also suffered because the Flyers defense was atrocious. With Pronger and Meszaros out, the team was playing stiffs like Lilja and Bourdon who had no business being out there. And don't get me started on Carle.

I cannot blame Homer for wanting to get rid of JVR now. That contract is a trainwreck, and he is the team's most tradable piece since other teams still see him as being potentially very solid. What I can blame him for is giving him the contract in the first place. The problem is that the team has often been too quick to reward players for great playoff performances. JVR and Richards are two prime examples.

If the Flyers can get Weber or Suter, I'll be feeling pretty good going into 2012-2013, no matter what happens with this JVR situation.

 

[LuckyNumber7]

No goalie needs a contract that long.

 

[PhilsFan]

Of course. But the point was obviously to overpay a bit in order to lock him up. There's no question the contract is too big, and that the length was placed upon it in order to lessen the cap hit from year-to-year. The question is, did they overpay too much? That's where it gets hazy.

 

[LuckyNumber7]

While I understand that the goal was to lessen cap hit, I'm still making a case in point that no goalie should ever receive a contract for that long, period. There's a nice list of Vezina nominees who have had a window of success lasting three to four years. Either hunt low risk-high reward like normal or just buy an average goalie.

Buying a 'franchise' goalie simply doesn't exist. Acquiring one does. The only other alternative to that is drafting one and taking the four or five year goalie development period by buying into goalies like Jose Theodore for two year contracts.

 

[bono_man2002]

Hopefully LA get up today, and I pocket $165

 

[Thora]

I've missed most of the first period. It's 3-0 already?! Damn.

 

[speedracer]

Devils player picked up a major + game misconduct for hitting a Kings player into the boards from behind and bloodying his face, Kings scored thrice on the power play. The end.

 

[Thora]

Sounds like it. Well, I guess my team lost to the champions. Small consolation.

 

[BoMac]

I wouldn't wish what Steve Bernier is feeling right now on my worst enemy.

Spoiler

Well, maybe on Elfa.

 

[speedracer]

I dunno. I don't know that it was a malicious hit, but it was incredibly dumb.

 

[MrPryck2U]

The Kings finally get a Cup.

 

[LuckyNumber7]

Congrats LA on an epic Stanley Cup run and one for the history books. First 8 seed ever.

 

[MrPryck2U]

The Devils gave 'er a go. If they had won tonight, I figured them to win Game 7. The Kings obviously didn't give them that chance. Good to see some new blood win the Cup.

 

[MrPryck2U]

Nothing like dropping an F bomb.

 

[speedracer]

Kings fans didn't boo Bettman mercilessly. I take back everything nice I've ever said about them.

 

[Thora]

Well, congrats LA. Unbelievable run.

I'll admit to tearing up when Willie Mitchell hoisted the cup. What a great dude - he deserved that win.

 

[bollox]

Anybody else notice the Stanley Cups on the blonde behind the Devils' bench? The camera crew was cutting over to there a lot.

 

[bono_man2002]

Way to go LA. Off to collect my winnings after work

 

[Hewson]

Congrats Kings.

 

[LuckyNumber7]

Kings fans didn't boo Bettman mercilessly. I take back everything nice I've ever said about them.

God forbid the Kings fans don't boo a guy who they should have no problems with...

 

[PhilsFan]

All commissioners need to be booed because they all suck.

 

[CTU2fan]

^^^ That's right!

How awesome it was seeing Richie and Gagne hoisting the cup...Carter can still go piss off

Also Hexy gets a ring...all in all, I'm satisfied with the win by Flyers West.

 

[bono_man2002]

So....lockout?