2024-25 NHL regular season thread

From the Ducks website:
The Ducks have acquired a 2027 second-round selection in the NHL Draft and defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka from the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Cam Fowler and Anaheim’s fourth-round pick in 2027. Anaheim will retain 38.4615385 percent of Fowler’s remaining contract.
Fowler, 33, is the highest-scoring defenseman in Ducks history and the 2010 NHL Draft class, recording 96-361=457 points in 991 career NHL games in 15 seasons with Anaheim. He departs leading all-time Ducks blueliners in career points, goals, assists and appearances. Among all-time franchise leaders, Fowler was second in appearances, fifth in points and assists, and eighth in game-winning goals (18).
Selected by Anaheim in the first round (12th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Fowler made six career trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, recording 6-27=33 points with a +3 rating in 62 games. He ranked third among franchise defensemen in postseason scoring, second in assists and games played.


Comment:
Just nine short of the coveted 1,000 mark, all with the Ducks. He probably won't play for the Blues today, but if he does and plays every game, he will reach No. 1,000 at the Winter Classic on New Year's Eve at Wrigley Field.

 

Talbot tweaked something in Friday's practice, so Husso started tonight with Jack Campbell as backup.
Husso played well and earned his first win in more than a year as the Wings beat the Leafs 4-2 at the pizza parlor.
CBJ lost 4-3 in OT to the Ducks. Evason went with Jet Greaves in net. Elvis has had his high points this season, but not lately.

 

Just a brief vent, since this is the most logical place for it.

I used to be a huge hockey fan. I grew up loving the LA Kings. I have a great sentimental attachment to the Kings of my childhood, with Rogie Vachon, Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor, etc.

They also had absolutely wonderful uniforms. I love the purple and yellow with the crown.

Then Bruce McNall bought the team, bought Wayne Gretzky, and brought in the shittiest logo and uniform in the league. They changed the crown to a shitty silver Chevy logo so they could try to sell merch to gangbangers who wanted an alternate to Raiders gear. Thankfully they eventually ditched them, never went back to their previous greatness.

I stopped following the NHL years ago. But now my youngest has become a big hockey fan and brought me back into it. I took him to a Kings game last year. We went to a minor league game a few weeks ago. My love of hockey is returning.

And tonight I turn on the Kings game… and realize they have brought back the Bruce McNall gang merch uniforms.

Goddamn. This team breaks my heart. I hate these stupid uniforms and everything they represent.

Bring back the purple crown, you miserable bastards.

 

Was a Sharks fan in the aughts and their run to the Cup finals then dropped off because they got old and dull.

Going tonight since buddy asked and has great seats. Excited to see Celebrini, hoping he’s a MccDavid/Crosby/ game changer.

 

Biggest win of season tonight for the Jackets.
Damn, Jersey is fast. Devils are a legitimate Cup contender.
Columbus 4, New Jersey 2.

 

Hate to burst your bubble, but the Ducks have beaten Columbus twice this season.

 

Well I got to see (only 3 rows from the face off circle, Thanks to my buddy!!) exactly why the Sharks got the No. 1 pick and Celebrini. They are a bit slow (relatively) and not very skilled with the puck (one guy whiffed on a slap shot up top and the Avs got a 3-1 going the other way; Avs got go-ahead goal SH).

Celebrini however....wow he's got the quickness and stick-handling that appears special (to this guy), you don't need to dump the puck in on a PP with him, he puts guys on their heels with his speed, and he knows where to put the passes. He didn't show up on the score sheet but he made some sweet passes right on the tape. Now the Sharks just need 6 (?) other good players and a goalie.

 

The hope is Yaroslav Askarov will turn into that goaltender. Probably will since the Predators thoughtfully traded him away for a bag of magic beans.

 

Flyers recognized the Gaudreaus, then there was a ceremonial opening faceoff.
Then the game began.
Always fun to watch Torts contort.

 

Wings dropping a turd in Montreal after losing to the Canadians last night at the pizza parlor.
These guys are just not responding to Lalonde.

 

Devils-Rangers this afternoon at The Rock.
Four minutes in ... a fight. Old time hockey.

 

And :51 left in first period...a fight