All-purpose hockey thread...

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

As it turns out, Bettman was on the grassy knoll.

Sorry, don't buy it.

 

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

Okay, I've got a question. Maybe it's been answered already on this thread but I don't have the time to go through 198 pages.
Forgive me for my hockey stooopidity, but ...
Wasn't there talk last year about the NHL expanding the playoffs? Something about first-round byes and a mini-series for the first round.
Was I dreaming?

 

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

I think you may have been.

 

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

There was some chit chat, but nothing concrete. It's an option though the NHL may consider down the road.

 

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

There was also some talk about doing a crossover after the second round.

 

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

Fresh air? It's spring time and the snow and frozen cow pies are melting. Anything but refreshing, although it does cause some dizziness and light headedness.

OK, so I was a little exuberant with this one, but I have to ask, could there be a better situation for the NHL then the Rangers winning the cup? It could be the thing to get the NHL back into the limelight, especially considering New York has not had a championship in what 6 or 7 seven years?

 

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

Yeah, the Leafs winning.

A country would be united. ;D

 

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

I thought the country was already united by their hatred of the Leafs. 

 

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

Thank you. Someone had to say it. Believe me, the Nation is more united over the LEafs missing the playoffs then they are over the thought of them winning it, because we all have that friend or know somebody who is a die hard Leafs fan and we know this is all we'll hear about for the next 40 years ;D

 

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

The NHL's video review policy is an absolute F'in joke. why they cannot access the TV broadcast angles is a mystery. This one point the Oilers got screwed out of may just cost them a playoff spot if Vancouver ever decides to get it's act together.

Second time in a week they've had league officials or referees apoligixing to them during the game over blown calls on disallowed goals. What a joke. Not only do they have to deal with a shitty goaltender, but they have to deal with this bullshit as well.

 

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

I think that this was Sather's idea. Basically, I think he proposed something just the AHL's system, where before the playoffs actually start, the 7th through 10th seeds play each other in a three game set. The two mini-series winners then join the top six seeds in the 'real' playoffs which would be conducted in their usual manner.

 

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

Semin Likely Back Next Season

By Tarik El-Bashir
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 7, 2006; E03

The Washington Capitals are expecting highly touted prospect Alexander Semin to rejoin the team next season as negotiations to end his nearly two-year hiatus from the NHL enter their final stages. A deal is expected to be announced next week, according to a source.

A first-round draft pick by the Capitals in 2002, Semin, 22, likely is the second-most skilled player in the organization behind Alex Ovechkin, the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year.

Semin had 10 goals and 12 assists in 52 games for the Capitals in 2003-04, his rookie season.

Semin was suspended by the Capitals in September 2004 after he failed to report to the team's minor league affiliate in Portland, Maine. He instead remained in Russia and played for Lada Togliatti, a top team in the Russian Super League.

Semin said at the time he was not permitted to return to North America because he had not fulfilled his two-year obligation in the Russian military.

The Capitals unsuccessfully attempted to force him to return by filing a motion for a preliminary injunction against Semin in U.S. District Court in Washington last fall. Meantime, Semin remained in his homeland, where he most recently played for Mytishi Khimik.

Semin's mandatory military obligation expires this summer, clearing the way for his return. The status of his contract with the Capitals remains unclear.

With a smooth skating stride and deft stick-handing moves, Semin is widely considered to be a first- or second-line winger with plenty of offensive potential. His addition could take some of the pressure off of Ovechkin, who is often double-teamed or shadowed by a designated player on the opposing team.

Capitals General Manager George McPhee did not return a message left with a team spokesman.

Halpern Bounces Back

Jeff Halpern's creaky right knee is solid again. His lower back pain is bearable. And as a result, the Capitals captain is playing his best hockey of the season.

Unfortunately for him, he's regained his stride with only seven games remaining.

Halpern has scored three goals in his past four games.

He had five goals in his previous 52 games, a stretch that was disrupted by separate injuries to his knee and back.

"I feel like I'm playing the way I did early in the year, up until the point where I got hurt in January, which lingered into February," Halpern said. "I'm also having better luck around the net.

"As far as point production, I'm pretty much on pace -- or better -- than I've been," he added. "It's just that I'm finding the back of the net. That's the only difference."

Perhaps Halpern (eight goals, 30 assists) has taken a cue from Ovechkin, the NHL's leader in shots on goal. Over the past four games, Halpern has taken 17 shots, second on the Capitals only to Ovechkin's 20.

"It's the best he's played, the last three games," Coach Glen Hanlon said. "Not only because he's scored. A lot of things jump out at you. It looks like he's skating better."

Asked if he expects to return to the Capitals next season, Halpern, a Potomac native and an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, said: "I don't know. We'll see what happens. For me, I don't have to worry about that stuff until later. I don't expect anything to get done before that. I'm just going to enjoy myself these last few games and try to do the best we can."

Tourists for a Day

The players, McPhee, team president Dick Patrick, the coaching staff and members of the front office toured the Pentagon yesterday, which was a day off between games against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes.

"It was nice to see behind the scenes and see how they go about their business," Halpern said. "It was all really impressive. It puts things into perspective when you meet guys who are actually going over there into the war."