2009-10 NHL Thread

What kind of lineup have they been playing? Are they playing a lot of regulars?
Also, did Bustin Penne come to camp in NHL shape this year?

 

Here is a great take on the Phaneup hit. If Phaneuf wants to play that way then he better stand in and fight his own battles.

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Hard+hitting+Phaneuf+must+stand+checks/2009568/story.html

 

I've never seen the guy in person, but he's listed as 6'0.

We'll have to agree to disagree on how good or the potential of Kessel. And no he is not a 5.5 mil cap hit player yet, but if you are the Maple Leafs with stupid cap space and you think he can speed up the rebuilding process, why not do it? And yes it was a lot to go after but . . . hey I'll just be repeating what I've already said. I think they overspent more on the contract than on the actual deal.

 

They've had a few regulars going against a few regulars like every one else, a lot of prospects mixed in. However, the chemistry O'Sullivan and Comrie have right now is pretty rediculous. Hopefully it carries over to the regular season because it looks like they may actually have a second line now.

As far as Penner goes -- All I've heard is that he is in better shape than last year, that he beat all his previous bests during fitness testing at the camp. Mind you they said that about his fitness level the year before. He does have a new attitude and has openly admitted it's on him to be better. Sounds like he is willing to do what the coaches want. I think he's just happy to be rid of MacT, and the thing is that's the prevailing word from just about every player in the dressing room, even Horcoff who was one of MacT's favourites, that it was time for a change, that MacT's message was falling on deaf ears. And after 9 years and 8 seasons that happens to most coaches, if they make it that far.

 

I thought he did at least fight Morency who came flying off the bench? I know he backed down from a couple of other challenges, but how many times does he have to answer the bell? And I'm not a Phaneuf fan at all. I think he is highly overrated. This is the same kind of thing that got Steve Moore's face drilled into the ice when Bertuzzi jumped him from behind. Moore fought once already in that game, but the Canucks still kept coming after him. How many times does a player have to answer the call for a clean hit? Is there a set rule in the code?

 

Not from what I've read. Guess he backed away when Morency wanted to go.

 

Looks like to me he goes with Morency despite the refs trying to get in the way. If he backs up its because he's sizing him up because morency is flying at him from off the bench. He's not turning and running.

 

it's not just this play, Phaneuf is a cherry picker when it comes to who he'll fight.

 

Had free tickets to last nights Canucks Oilers game, decide not to go. I just can't bring myself to watch pre-season hockey. The looney fans here in Vancouver already have Sergei Shirokov as the next Bure because he put up a few points against AHLers, kids going back to Junior and a few regulars players. Drives me insane. I like to remind the lieunatics that the Detroit Lions were 4-0 in preseason last year, how'd that work out for them?

 

Considering it was that hit that inspired the column, that's all that I was commenting on.

That being said, I hate Phaneuf. Hugely overrated. He has a Big shot and is a head hunter, can't trust him in your own zone, not what you want from a top defenceman. Not a Norris candidate yet in my view.

 

Am watching the Bruins/Habs game on RDS. Nothing like hearing Hal Gill's name in French.

 

Kind of like blaming the Prime Minster for an administrative fuckup at Health Canada.