NHL 2009/2010 Regular Season

[kujay]

I wasn't even aware of this, but apparently Vs. has been taken off the air for Directv subscribers. Not such a good thing with NHL season approaching.

 

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118008013.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

 

Usually they work a deal out before it comes to this. I tend to side with Directv on this one though. Vs. generally sucks. I don't think they are in a very strong position to negotiate.

 

I read that there was an issue, but didn't realize they had taken it off the air already. I have to side with Directv as well. Versus sucks. It's completely worthless 99% of the time. And since I decided to get the center ice package last year, and will go with it again this year, I have no need for it.

 

Well, Vs. games aren't on CI, either in the regular season or playoffs. They might be if we get into the season without Vs. on Directv, but otherwise we'd be out of luck for those games.

[Soul]

I wasn't even aware of this, but apparently Vs. has been taken off the air for Directv subscribers. Not such a good thing with NHL season approaching.

 

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118008013.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

 

Usually they work a deal out before it comes to this. I tend to side with Directv on this one though. Vs. generally sucks. I don't think they are in a very strong position to negotiate.

 

I read that there was an issue, but didn't realize they had taken it off the air already. I have to side with Directv as well. Versus sucks. It's completely worthless 99% of the time. And since I decided to get the center ice package last year, and will go with it again this year, I have no need for it.

 

Well, Vs. games aren't on CI, either in the regular season or playoffs. They might be if we get into the season without Vs. on Directv, but otherwise we'd be out of luck for those games.

 

That would suck, but think about it: the network is the tour de france, a few NHL games, and junk. I probably watched Vs. 3 times this year (for Hawks games), is that really worth an addtional rate hike for DirecTV? I don't think so. So even if Vs. caves in and DirecTV puts it on their pay HDTV tier, I can't see myself forking out extra for it.

 

DirecTV is already pretty expensive for me. If Vs. is one of the networks that keeps my rate from going even higher, then -- oh well. Better that than some of the channels I actually watch.

[jersey cubs fan]

There aren't that many games on versus though, so I'm not that concerned. If I really want to see one of them I can go to a bar with cable.

[Soul]

Exactly.

 

Plus, who does Vs. think they are pulling a power play with that crappy programming lineup? Screw 'em.

[jersey cubs fan]

Exactly.

 

Plus, who does Vs. think they are pulling a power play with that crappy programming lineup? Screw 'em.

 

They are owned by Comcast, I believe, which is a direct competitor with Directv, so I could see this being about more than just getting the most money for versus as possible.

[kujay]

Exactly.

 

Plus, who does Vs. think they are pulling a power play with that crappy programming lineup? Screw 'em.

 

They are owned by Comcast, I believe, which is a direct competitor with Directv, so I could see this being about more than just getting the most money for versus as possible.

 

That's a good point. I forgot about that.

 

But still, they aren't in a very strong position to go to consumers and ask for sympathy. Or ask people to switch providers. Maybe some cycling enthusiasts might switch to U-verse or something.

[karenmac]

have also posted in the fantasy forum, but thought this might get to my target audience a little more directly...

 

if anyone would like to play Fantasy Hockey this year, I've set up an NSBB league -

http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/nsbbhockey

 

to join - head to: http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/hockey/register/joinprivateleague_league_select?.scrumb=

ID# 157899

password - gocubs

 

I've currently got the draft set to go on Sunday 9/27, but that can be changed once we've got everyone signed up that wants to be.

[kujay]

Markov turned down the Habs captaincy:

 

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=291208

 

I'd bet he would have preferred this wasn't published. Can't be good for him in the locker room.

[TruffleShuffle]

reports are that phil kessel has been traded to toronto for a first and second round pick in the 2010 draft, and a first rounder in the 2011 draft; it's also reported that kessel has signed a 5 year, $27M contract with the leafs. he's really good and toronto pretty badly needed a scoring forward to build around, but they suck pretty badly. boston could be ending up with two top 10 picks in the next two years.

[kujay]

reports are that phil kessel has been traded to toronto for a first and second round pick in the 2010 draft, and a first rounder in the 2011 draft; it's also reported that kessel has signed a 5 year, $27M contract with the leafs. he's really good and toronto pretty badly needed a scoring forward to build around, but they suck pretty badly. boston could be ending up with two top 10 picks in the next two years.

 

Still, this is a move Burke absolutely had to make. Kessel is very solid, and like you said, they needed a guy that they could start to build around. I don't know what their cap situation is, but I expect them to steadily stockpile talent over the next few years and be back in the playoffs next year.

 

I heard a lot of talk about how a good Blackhawks team is good for the NHL. I think the same is true for the Leafs.

[TruffleShuffle]

reports are that phil kessel has been traded to toronto for a first and second round pick in the 2010 draft, and a first rounder in the 2011 draft; it's also reported that kessel has signed a 5 year, $27M contract with the leafs. he's really good and toronto pretty badly needed a scoring forward to build around, but they suck pretty badly. boston could be ending up with two top 10 picks in the next two years.

 

Still, this is a move Burke absolutely had to make. Kessel is very solid, and like you said, they needed a guy that they could start to build around. I don't know what their cap situation is, but I expect them to steadily stockpile talent over the next few years and be back in the playoffs next year.

 

I heard a lot of talk about how a good Blackhawks team is good for the NHL. I think the same is true for the Leafs.

 

agreed. i think it's a solid deal for both clubs; boston gets a nice return on a player they were probably never going to be able to afford in the long run if they want to keep a lot of their young talent, and the leafs get a top young player who looks like he'll be the center piece of their offense going forward.

[Drew Doughty]

kessel is overrated and brian burke is an awful gm. great trade for the bruins imo.

[NewUserName]

kessel is overrated and brian burke is an awful gm. great trade for the bruins imo.

 

Agreed about Kessel being over rated and Burke sucking. Not sure it was a great trade for the Bruins though

[RedFlash]

kessel is overrated and brian burke is an awful gm. great trade for the bruins imo.

 

Agreed about Kessel being over rated and Burke sucking. Not sure it was a great trade for the Bruins though

 

Following a certain website that is home to Leafs fans, and I have to say most of them thinks Kessel makes them automatic playoff bound. I know they have some go looking prospects, but there is a reason why Boston wasn't willing to give Kessel the money he eventually signed for. Overall it's not a bad gamble for Toronto, but I don't know how much an impact he will make.

[JonJayCutler]

The Lightning are a mess. Thank God for 2004.

[Drew Doughty]

kessel is overrated and brian burke is an awful gm. great trade for the bruins imo.

 

Agreed about Kessel being over rated and Burke sucking. Not sure it was a great trade for the Bruins though

 

it is. they got more than they would've gotten if he signed an offer sheet for the same contract. he wanted out. great deal for them.

[karenmac]

bump!

 

just thought I'd put a reminder out here about this league...we've got 6 teams, but life would be better if we could get 4-6 more...

 

have also posted in the fantasy forum, but thought this might get to my target audience a little more directly...

 

if anyone would like to play Fantasy Hockey this year, I've set up an NSBB league -

http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/nsbbhockey

 

to join - head to: http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/hockey/register/joinprivateleague_league_select?.scrumb=

ID# 157899

password - gocubs

 

I've currently got the draft set to go on Sunday 9/27, but that can be changed once we've got everyone signed up that wants to be.

[TruffleShuffle]

emery was very good against the devils. he's a pretty good player when he's not making his teammates want to beat his ass. hopefully he learned something from his year in russia.

 

one interesting thing during the preseason has been whether james van riemsdyk (#2 overall pick in 2007 draft, behind kane) will make the team. most people assumed he'd start in the AHL but he's been excellent in the preseason and might be forcing his way into a spot. i'm hoping that they give him and another new guy (mika pyorala) a chance and stop giving useless goons like riley cote so much playing time. we also need to cut down on the stupid penalties; that's been a big failing of john stevens since he became head coach.

[TruffleShuffle]

flyers waived randy jones today... just terrific news. that probably means he'll either get picked up by someone (unlikely given his bad contract) or will start the year in the minors so his contract doesn't count against the cap, and we can start the season with van riemsdyk and pyorala in the lineup.

[TruffleShuffle]

our schedule starts out carolina, new jersey, washington, pittsburgh. wtf? aside from the bruins it's basically the who's who of good teams in the eastern conference.

[Schwarber Fan]

Carolina = overrated

 

carry on

[TruffleShuffle]

my picks for this year:

 

eastern conference:

atlantic:

pittsburgh

philadelphia

new jersey

new york rangers

new york islanders

 

northeast:

boston

buffalo

montreal

toronto

ottawa

 

southeast:

washington

carolina

tampa bay

florida

atlanta

 

playoff seedings:

1. washington

2. pittsburgh

3. boston

4. philadelphia

5. buffalo

6. carolina

7. new jersey

8. tampa bay

-----

9. new york rangers

10. montreal

11. toronto

12. florida

13. atlanta

14. ottawa

15. new york islanders

 

first round:

washington def. tampa bay

pittsburgh def. new jersey

boston def. carolina

philadelphia def. buffalo

 

conference semis:

philadelphia def. washington

pittsburgh def. boston

 

conference finals:

pittsburgh def. philadelphia

 

western conference:

central:

detroit

chicago

st. louis

columbus

nashville

 

northwest:

vancouver

calgary

edmonton

minnesota

colorado

 

pacific:

san jose

anaheim

los angeles

dallas

phoenix

 

playoff seedings:

1. san jose

2. detroit

3. vancouver

4. chicago

5. anaheim

6. calgary

7. st. louis

8. edmonton

------

9. los angeles

10. columbus

11. minnesota

12. dallas

13. nashville

14. colorado

15. phoenix

 

first round:

san jose def. edmonton

st. louis def. detroit

vancouver def. calgary

chicago def. anaheim

 

conference semis:

san jose def. st. louis

vancouver def. chicago

 

conference finals:

vancouver def. san jose

 

stanley cup final:

pittsburgh def. vancouver

 

 

awards:

hart: ovechkin, crosby, getzlaf

norris: pronger, lidstrom, green

vezina: luongo, brodeur, thomas

selke: m. richards, zetterberg, kesler

lady byng: who cares, probably someone from the red wings though

calder: hedman, gustavsson, varlamov

adams: boudreau, mclellan, ruff

[Drew Doughty]

i'll toss my hat in as well

 

east

1. Philadelphia

2. Washington

3. Boston

---

4. Pittsburgh

5. Carolina

6. New Jersey

7. Buffalo

8. Montreal

---

9. Toronto

10. Florida

11. NYR

12. Ottawa

13. Tampa Bay

14. Florida

15. NYI

 

west

1. San Jose

2. Chicago

3. Vancouver

---

4. Detroit

5. Calgary

6. Anaheim

7. St. Louis

8. Los Angeles

---

9. Columbus

10. Nashville

11. Edmonton

12. Minnesota

13. Dallas

14. Phoenix

15. Colorado

 

5-13 is kind of a clusterf in the west. i will say that i'm pretty sure the top 7 in the west will at least be in the playoffs. 8th spot should be a dogfight though. i think the East is really weak after the top 5.

[RedFlash]

I agree with AO on the final four in that it should be: Phil/Washington in the east, Chicago/San Jose in the west. With the Hawks beating Philly in 7.

[TruffleShuffle]

5-13 is kind of a clusterf in the west. i will say that i'm pretty sure the top 7 in the west will at least be in the playoffs. 8th spot should be a dogfight though.

 

i feel like chicago, detroit, vancouver and san jose are pretty much locks to make the playoffs... it wouldn't shock me if calgary, st. louis or anaheim miss out although i do think they all get in.

 

i think the East is really weak after the top 5.

 

agree for the most part, although i think there's a gap between the top 4 in the east (pitt, philly, boston, wash) and the rest. though carolina is still a good team and who knows about jersey, they won the division last year and with lemaire back they could always get 110 pts while winning 50 games by one goal.