Running 2007 NHL regular season thread

He's worse at hanging onto things than my ex ...


But hey look! Tri-Shitty is good again ... five in a row! I don't think they've done that since Don Hay was behind the bench.

http://www.tsn.ca/chl/news_story/?ID=219779&hubname=

The Tri-City Americans want more respect, and by winning their first five games of the Western Hockey League season they're going to get it.

Chet Pickard stopped 39 shots to lead the streaking Americans to a 5-2 victory over the Prince George Cougars in WHL action Tuesday.

The Americans enjoyed their most successful regular season in franchise history last year with a solid 47-23-2 record. But the team was expected to stumble in 2007-08 after losing WHL goaltender of the year Carey Price to the Montreal Canadiens and starting the year with an inexperienced defence.

``There hasn't been a lot of respect shown toward our organization, or our players, and this year we were picked 19th (out of 22 teams in the pre-season poll),'' Americans coach Don Nachbaur told the Prince George Citizen.

 

And the TSN panel (Mike Millbury has joined them), picks their Stanley Cup Winners.

Duthie, McKenzie & McGuire--Detroit.

Millbury & Healy--Rangers.

Wow

http://broadband.tsn.ca/tsn/?id=348&vid=18506

 

I can't remember who, but someone else yesterday picked Detroit. No bias here, but I think Colorado will be a darkhorse.

If the Rangers' starpower can mesh together at the right time (meaning all season), then they have a great shot.
I personally don't think Anaheim will repeat. I'd say that it is between the Rangers and Senators.

 

Colorado isn't going anywhere unless Theodore gets back to his Hart/Vezina form.

Former St. Mike's goalie Peter Budaj ain't taking the team to the promised land and Joe Sakic, as much as I think he's one of the great players of our generation, is getting a little long in the tooth.

It's time for guys like Wolski & Stastny to step it up.

And a little suspect on the back end.

 

Will be interested to see how the Canucks shape up for this season ... considering the post-season that could have been with Luongo playing the way he did.

 

It's probably worth reading Mirtle's blog on his predictions for the seaons. Has the Canucks pretty much in the middle of the pack.

http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2007/10/nhl-season-preview-2007-08-predictions.html

 

JR, you are so wrong about Sakic...
I still think Colorado will trade for a goalie and/or defencemen. Can Colorado buy out Theodore's contract? That would free up money wouldn't it? I think Budaj has proven himself and the Avs are making him starter. However, maybe benching Theodore is what needs to be done to ignite the fire from under him (or maybe he needs a haircut to see the puck better.)

People forget that Colorado had a fantastic last minute run to try to make the playoffs. However, with each game Colorado was winning, the Flames were winning too. The problem with the Avs last season was that they were first of all in a tough conference to make the playoffs (the West) and they were even tough in their own division with Calgary, Vancouver and Minnesota.

 

JR, did you see what Mirtle said about Budaj? What I love even more is how Toskala is seen as the key player for the Leafs.

 

As soon as I threw out my Sakic bait, I knew you'd bite.

Which goalie is Colorado going to trade for? I think they're stuck with that duo.

 

You are one smart man JR, you know what makes me tick and also what irks me ;D

FYI for you btw:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2007/10/03/raycroft_start/

Looks like the Leafs are not sold on Toskala just yet. Wonder the reactions when the news was delivered to both goalies. Would have loved to see the expressions on their faces.

 

Hope none of you have Modin, Peca and Foote in your pools.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2007/10/03/jackets_trio_injured/

 

Strange story coming out of Florida ...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=219782&hubname=


The wife of Hockey Hall of Famer Emile (The Cat) Francis has been found safe after police reported her missing from her home in West Palm Beach, Fla, on Tuesday.

Police said Tuesday that Emma Francis, 77, had last been seen Sunday when she dropped Emile off at Palm Beach International Airport. She did not return home.

Francis, a former player, coach and GM for the New York Rangers, was travelling to New Jersey and became worried when he did not hear from his wife.

Police said Emma Francis did not have a cell phone, and has not had any contact with Emile or her two sons since Sunday.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, he called a neighbour to check his West Palm Beach home. The lights were still on and the newspaper left unread. Emile Francis rushed back on the next flight.

"Nothing like this has ever happened," Emile Francis told the newspaper. "Every time the phone rings, I hope that it's her that calls."