All-purpose hockey thread...

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

HB I'm sure you're going to love this thought I just had.

Maybe hockey needs the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup to bring it back to life. Forget the Sens or the Canes, Red Wings or the Stars  - even my Oilers (they don't have the goaltending anyways) - the New York Rangers will win the Stanley Cup. Some how the NHL will twist its way to the Rangers playing for Hockey's silver chalice. Ask Buffalo Fans about the way the NHL can swing its muscle in the finals. [Cough/]toeinthecrese[Cough/]. Doesn't matter against who, just as long as the Rangers win the cup. You know Bettman wants it worse than anything. Hockey needs it. Who cares if the Redwings win another Cup the only place where it will really make a difference is if the Rangers win the cup, then it might revive it to some point, it might help the league get a new TV contract.

Thoughts?

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

I'm not discounting Ottawa's skill and firepower. I just don't think they're tough enough to win in the playoffs. Jersey can bang the Sens around, and John Madden's line will shut down the Spezza line. Plus, I'd take Marty over Emery.

I think a Rangers Cup is Gary Bettman's wet dream. But, it's going to be almost impossible to rig 14 playoff series to guarantee that dream.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Mr R,

Sometimes you get stuck on one player, one game, particularly the first time you see him.

For me, Emery was the case in pt. First game I saw him as a jr he had a 49-save shutout. I was sold on his ability. He sounds like he's a little arrogant or ahead of himself--acts like no rookie--but then again he was one of the guys whose rookie season would/could have been the lock-out year.

YHS, etc

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Speaking of junior hockey, since St. Mike's and the Ice Dogs are gone, maybe you should renew your passport for the drive out to Brampton. The Troops/Colts series will be terrific. Probably go 7.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

I think a Rangers Cup is Gary Bettman's wet dream. But, it's going to be almost impossible to rig 14 playoff series to guarantee that dream.


He wouldn't have to rig 14 PO series, that's the beauty of it. I think the Rangers can handle whoever they face in the first round, save for maybe Montreal, they're pretty scrry right now as a first round opponent. But after that all he'd have to do is have a guiding hand on three series and the cup goes back to Broadway. And with the way they've played this year it's not a complete stretch. Hell if Calgary can make the finals with just Kipper and Iginla, surely the Rangers can get there with a motivated Jags and King Henrik. I am officially abondoning my pre-season pick of Ottawa, although they could still very well do it - and switching over to the Rangers. Edmonton and New York in the finals. I can see it now ...

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

He wouldn't have to rig 14 PO series, that's the beauty of it. I think the Rangers can handle whoever they face in the first round, save for maybe Montreal, they're pretty scrry right now as a first round opponent. But after that all he'd have to do is have a guiding hand on three series and the cup goes back to Broadway. And with the way they've played this year it's not a complete stretch. Hell if Calgary can make the finals with just Kipper and Iginla, surely the Rangers can get there with a motivated Jags and King Henrik. I am officially abondoning my pre-season pick of Ottawa, although they could still very well do it - and switching over to the Rangers. Edmonton and New York in the finals. I can see it now ...
Ok, let me get this straight, Gary Bettman, according to hockey experts everywhere, the most inept commissioner in the history of professional sports, is supposed to be wily enough to fix the NHL playoffs?

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

No, but he can flex his muscle to certain decisions go the Rangers way at key moments, say on a very debateable goal review that they phone headoffice to review, I can see it going New Yorks way. And it's not like we've never seen a referee take a game into his own hands. Maple Leaf Fans I'm sure could go on ad nauseum about Kerry Fraser. All I'm saying is there are ways to influence an outcome without down right rigging it. And like I said before, they may not even need that much help if Jags and Lundqvist keep playing the way they have.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Oh and Bettman is a douchenozzle if there ever was one.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Beef, that fresh Alberta air is getting to you.

You are completely off-base with this one.

Next thing you'll know Bettman'll be on the grassy knoll.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

C'mon, Gary Bettman could fuck up a wet dream. You can't seriously believe he's smart enough to rig the playoffs.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

If Bettman was going to rig anything, wouldn't it have been the draft? Wouldn't he want Sidney Crosby playing in New York?

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

I maintain that Bettman did fix the draft. Here's a column I wrote the right after the draft lottery.

If it’s broke, fix the NHL Draft Lottery

The NHL Draft Lottery, held last week in New York, was fixed.
Now pay attention hockey fans on hiatus, because here’s where things get a little complicated.
First, the league didn’t want to show the lottery at all. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman only agreed to televise the results after a huge backlash from the media. The draft, once held, wasn’t carried out by an independent body and occurred behind closed doors.
Pittsburgh ended up with the first overall pick, and the rights to select Sidney Crosby. On the surface, it’s hard to notice the conspiracy, but dig a little deeper and it becomes painfully obvious.
After some careful analysis, you’ll find that the 30 NHL clubs are broken down into nine different groups. Eight of the groups carry reasons that eventually disqualified them from the Crosby sweepstakes.
Successful American markets -- These are American teams where hockey is thriving and the team is talented. Crosby going to any of these clubs also would have raised too much suspicion. They include Tampa Bay, Dallas, Colorado, Detroit, Philadelphia and Minnesota.
Impulsive or irresponsible coach/general manager -- Crosby just couldn’t be trusted going to any of these clubs. They include Florida, St. Louis, Washington, Chicago, New Jersey, whose rate of trap usage often exceeds employment rates, and the New York Islanders, who are run by Mike Milbury. ‘Mad Mike’ is just crazy enough to ship Crosby to the Canucks for Bertuzzi, a third round pick, and a mountain of magic beans.
Strongly supported Canadian clubs -- These teams already have a great fan base and Crosby’s arrival would have resulted in a huge marketing loss for the NHL. They include Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal.
Crosby overshadowed -- The Boston Bruins compete in the same market as the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox, two of the most popular franchises in the free world.
Smaller American markets -- These teams have weaker fan bases and lack hockey knowledge. They also exist in small and non-traditional markets where he wouldn’t be appreciated. They include, Nashville, Columbus, Atlanta and Carolina.
The center of the known universe -- Only one club has millions of fans delusional enough to support the team with or without Crosby, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Too far west -- Any club in the western half of the United States would be terrible for marketing Crosby, with millions of eastern fans hitting their pillows while the puck was dropped thousands of miles away. These teams include Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose and Phoenix.
Complete Armageddon -- If the New York Rangers would have received Crosby, the uproar would have caused shockwaves so large, not even the mighty Richter scale could have measured them. Even the most naïve hockey fan would be calling for Bettman’s head.
Perfect fits -- This leaves two clubs: Buffalo and Pittsburgh. The choice was obvious.
Mario Lemieux will serve as the ideal mentor. Mario is a French-speaking eastern Canadian, who dominated the QMJHL and entered the league facing enormous expectations. It’s somewhat convenient that he’ll serve as Crosby’s mentor as both player and partial owner of the Penguins.
Pittsburgh is a large American market with a central location. The city is only a short distance from all major Eastern markets, and Crosby will provide the franchise with much-needed stability.
The NHL lost billions of dollars in potential revenue last season, and needs to get back on its feet in the United States. Bettman knew the future of the NHL was far too precious to leave up to a few balls in a rotating drum, and he took it upon himself to pick and choose the NHL draft order. Not only could he select the ideal setting for Crosby, he could also use the draft to benefit other teams in small or less-traditional hockey markets.
None of the mainstream media has picked up on the lottery fix. Perhaps Bettman passed around a memo to keep this under wraps, dancing around the media minefield. Well I’m sorry Mr. Bettman, but I didn’t get that memo. And I don’t dance.
Finally, the lottery fix is completely believable for one reason. If I were in Bettman’s shoes, it’s exactly what I would have done.