Running 2007 NHL regular season thread

I know it's early, but the Hurricanes are showing that most preseason predictions grossly underestimated them. This is pretty much the same team that won the Stanley Cup two seasons ago. If they can just add an offensive-minded defenseman, they could be dominant. As it is, Carolina has the second-most points in the league and have beaten the team that has the most -- Ottawa.

A nice 3-0 week north of the border.

 

That their defenseman aren't offensive-minded isn't a big problem - though I am looking forward to the return of Mike Commodore ... a really underrated defenseman IMO. Lavs has the team playing helter-skelter enough ... a defenseman thinking he's the next Chris Pronger or something might leave Cam a little more exposed than anyone with the Whalercanes would like.

I was thinking many of the same things, ondeadline. But it helps not to have to battle expectations, no matter if it's the media or anyone else, and it's still really early to make any declarations.

 

I'm not suggesting the Canes get somebody such as Sandis Ozolinsh, but a guy who can pinch now and then and be a threat. I'm loving the play of Wesley and don't care if he never scores a point the way he's playing defense right now. Agreed that it will be nice to get Commodore back if for no other reason to guarantee that Tanabe is a healthy scratch.

 

The 'Canes don't need Ozo. He was an absolute disaster on Broadway.
He needs to get his life in order before taking to the ice.

 

Ozo was a big zero the last time he was in Raleigh. Karmanos crowbarred his wallet open for him, and that was an absolute disaster. The silver lining was that he was dealt to Florida, and to Raleigh went Bret Hedican. That's worked out fine.

Wes is a really overlooked player to the Whalercanes' success, ondeadline. His work on Sidney Crosby in the game against the Pens was grossly underrated. If you're really seeking an offensive-minded defenseman, my pick would be Frank Kaberle.

 

A couple reads, one interesting and one that's bizarre.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10142007/sports/kellys_a_hero__for_nhl_union.htm

http://www.slate.com/id/2175024/fr/flyout

 

It's a nice idea to continually pull out, but the problem with promotion and relegation in North American sports is that the structure of all professional sports are intrinsically different to those in Europe and the rest of the world.

The only way promotion and relegation works is if all teams are independent of each other, which obviously isn't the case.

 

Interesting Slate story. But two issues
1) If they actually went through with this, the league could actually become more Canadian again. Gary Bettman won't stand for that. :
2) If the writer is that bent on being a smartass, spell Neil Peart's name correctly.

 

Wild 2-0 winner against the Ducks. Great weekend for Rosie!

 

5-0 start for the Wild, including three shutouts.

 

Boulerice waived in Philly.

Good. But why not Downie as well?

 

Downie is 20 years old and has potential to be an nhler. Boulerice brings nothing to the table.
I guarantee you if Downie was released he would be picked up in a second.
I hate guys like him and Jordan Tootoo but teams see something in them