Official 10-11 NHL Eastern Conference Regular Season Thread

Post by **McQwak** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 8:43 am

I believe Lemieux's statement was addressed to his team, too. Maybe they don't resign Cooke.

philou21 wrote:
Loosie wrote:The are married now. Apperently the Nashville paper said something like 'Preadtors aquire Carrie Underwoods Husband'
Gotta love how they're interested in hockey in the US.

Philou, that's the same as if canadian newspapers write "Mike Fisher's wife will perform tonight".

jesusrocks150 · Post by **jesusrocks150** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 1:26 pm

Danny wrote:Whiny hypocrite.

I'm not sure how this is remotely hypocritical as instances like this don't even relate to the Pens or any of their players (they don't go around punching people in the back of the head while they're skating behind them down the ice).

I'm afraid that Matt Cooke is just the scapegoat here and he wasn't even in the game! Sure, Matt has had some questionable plays over the years, but he's never done anything like this....

Post by **CeeBee** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 5:41 pm

Every team has a Matt Cooke or 2 so it's really not fair to single him out. I think Mario is probably frustrated with cheap shots on star players with whats gone on this year but pretty much every team has had this happen and it's really up to the players in the end. If they do not respect each other as human beings they will always be looking to run someone through the boards or lay them out. There are a lot of reasons things are like that and in some ways it really hasn't changed much so as long as hockey is a contact sport there will be issues.... Anybody prefer to watch ringette? not me for sure.

Post by **philou21** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:01 pm

Probably but since a couples of years it's getting worse on injuries or cheap shots. Even if hockey needs to be physical there's something wrong.

Maybe you can answer because you're older than me ( way older

) but does in the 70's when hockey was really tough, was there alot of concussions or injuries like today?

For Lemieux, he didn't pointed out any team. I think he was speaking for all the league, he clearly know he got a douche on his team.

Post by **Danny** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:03 pm

jesusrocks150 wrote:
Danny wrote:Whiny hypocrite.

I'm not sure how this is remotely hypocritical as instances like this don't even relate to the Pens or any of their players (they don't go around punching people in the back of the head while they're skating behind them down the ice).

I'm afraid that Matt Cooke is just the scapegoat here and he wasn't even in the game! Sure, Matt has had some questionable plays over the years, but he's never done anything like this....

Cooke is doing worse things on a regular basis, and he's being paid by Lemieux to do so. And now the whiner has issues with an attempted cheapshot just because one of his guys is the victim. He's got a problem with what the Isles did then fine, but then he should've said he's got a problem with HIS guys being targeted, instead of pretending to be worried about the integrity of the GAME and the safety of ALL players... because he's contributing to those problems by employing the biggest cheapshot artist in the game bar none. As some of his fellow NHL governors (!) said, if Lemieux wants to change something about that issue he should start with his own team and if he's that worried about the game maybe he should actually visit a meeting and join the debate instead of complaining to the media.
I've never seen Lemieux do anything against Cooke at all for any of his antics, so he's obviously condoning that type of behaviour, as long as it's not HIS team on the receiving end. Fine...then don't whine when you get a taste of your own medicine. I really can't help you if you don't see the hypocrisy.

Post by **philou21** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:36 pm

Leafs probably traded Versteeg to the Flyers for 2 round picks. Great job Burke, great job....

grits207 · Post by **grits207** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:51 pm

philou21 wrote:Leafs probably traded Versteeg to the Flyers for 2 round picks. Great job Burke, great job....

Actually it is a great job by Burke. All he gave up for Versteeg is Viktor Stalberg and two sub-par prospects who will probably never play in the NHL. To get a 1st and 3rd rounder for a guy who has been playing on the third line and had one of the worst +/- ratings on the team is very good for a rebuilding team like the Leafs.

Post by **philou21** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 12:09 am

What I mean is that Burke just got fun to get players from eveywhere in the league and after less than 1 season give up on them and trade them again.

I got the impression that he tried to get a "good" bunch of players and try to make the playoffs that way. Now, he see this doesn't work and the Leafs sucks again, so now a light has turn on in his head. "We should make better drafts to get a better team! Oh, wait where are my good first round picks? What should I do now?" Et voilà, he dump the players he just aquired, that sucks for the players that signed with him.

Anyway, the players knows the risks by signing in Toronto.

grits207 · Post by **grits207** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 12:32 am

I agree but I think it is a good thing that the Leafs have finally realized that you can't rebuild without 1st round picks. The Kessel trade was awful but it appears they have learnt from their mistake and are going to try to rebuild the right way.

The Flyers are going to be a scary team in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see what other teams in the East like Pittsburgh, Washington and Boston do to try and keep up with Philadelphia. Could be a very interesting trade deadline!

Post by **philou21** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 12:39 am

I heard that Boston was looking for Bogosian in ATL. I found that very surprising, the cost will be high for him, I've heard another name but I can't remember him.

Post by **Danny** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 2:30 am

Rumours regarding Bogo have been floating around Boston for months...although I've yet to read anything specific.
Flyers are scary deep, lets hope nobody tells Homer he needs a goalie as well

Not that bad a deal for the Leafs either.

Círyatan · Post by **Círyatan** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:44 am

Danny wrote:Flyers are scary deep, lets hope nobody tells Homer he needs a goalie as well

I'm not so sure, to be honest. Blackhawks won the cup with Niemi, and I'm pretty confident Bobrovski has all the tools to be better than him. I guess we'll see. But as a Canucks fan, I definitely don't like it.

When it comes to the trade itself, I'm a little bit on the fence about it. This is so different to everything Burke's done up to now. Just keep in mind the Philly's pick is not the same as the Toronto's one that the Bruins have. But all in all, a pretty interesting deal for sure.

jesusrocks150 · Post by **jesusrocks150** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:49 pm

Danny wrote:
jesusrocks150 wrote:
Danny wrote:Whiny hypocrite.

I'm not sure how this is remotely hypocritical as instances like this don't even relate to the Pens or any of their players (they don't go around punching people in the back of the head while they're skating behind them down the ice).

I'm afraid that Matt Cooke is just the scapegoat here and he wasn't even in the game! Sure, Matt has had some questionable plays over the years, but he's never done anything like this....
Cooke is doing worse things on a regular basis, and he's being paid by Lemieux to do so. And now the whiner has issues with an attempted cheapshot just because one of his guys is the victim. He's got a problem with what the Isles did then fine, but then he should've said he's got a problem with HIS guys being targeted, instead of pretending to be worried about the integrity of the GAME and the safety of ALL players... because he's contributing to those problems by employing the biggest cheapshot artist in the game bar none. As some of his fellow NHL governors (!) said, if Lemieux wants to change something about that issue he should start with his own team and if he's that worried about the game maybe he should actually visit a meeting and join the debate instead of complaining to the media.
I've never seen Lemieux do anything against Cooke at all for any of his antics, so he's obviously condoning that type of behaviour, as long as it's not HIS team on the receiving end. Fine...then don't whine when you get a taste of your own medicine. I really can't help you if you don't see the hypocrisy.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one b/c you're trying to compare apples to oranges - Matt Cooke has not done anything that the Islanders did on Friday night (he didn't skate up behind an unsuspecting player and monkey punch them, he didn't stand over someone on the ice and taunt them while they were hurt). I would say that he has had some questionable/border line hits, even as recently as the Caps game vs. Ovechkin (I excuse his hit from behind on Tyutin b/c Tyutin turned his back - although, he should not left his feet).

Like I said, Cooke is just being singled out here - Let's face it, he's not the only guy hitting from behind, hitting knee on knee (Ovechkin anyone?), etc. He's just the one that the media likes to run under the bus.

If Lemieux is a hypocrite, then all owners are. He just made the mistake of speaking out about the incident in public. All teams employ an agitator and a goon. Why should Lemiuex punish a player...isn't that what the league has already done? How do we even know Mario, or another member of management (Shero, Bylsma, etc) hasn't sat Cooke down to discuss his play? We don't - The media would never report something so "lame". They just try to stir up a bunch of rubbish and they've done a great job as usual in this case.

Now, back to hockey (rather than hockey politics)....there's one thing that I do agree with you about....the Flyers, who were already scary good, are now even better with Versteeg, who (I suppose) wasn't working out for the Leafs - or at least not in the plans for rebuilding.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 6:48 pm

philou21 wrote:I heard that Boston was looking for Bogosian in ATL. I found that very surprising, the cost will be high for him, I've heard another name but I can't remember him.

There's been lots of talk that they've got a serious interest in him. I've also heard claims from Atlanta that he's not available. If the Bruins were to trade for Bogo, I'd have to imagine that Toronto's 1st would be a part of the package for him.

Danny wrote:Rumours regarding Bogo have been floating around Boston for months...although I've yet to read anything specific.
Flyers are scary deep, lets hope nobody tells Homer he needs a goalie as well
Not that bad a deal for the Leafs either.

Yeah, there has been lots of fan speculation (wishful thinking) about Bogo for some time. The media following the Bruins have picked up on it a bit more lately though.

The Flyers have serious depth! Do they really need a goalie though? They did pretty well in the playoffs last season without one. Of course, they would have done better with one.

Círyatan wrote:
Danny wrote:Flyers are scary deep, lets hope nobody tells Homer he needs a goalie as well
I'm not so sure, to be honest. Blackhawks won the cup with Niemi, and I'm pretty confident Bobrovski has all the tools to be better than him. I guess we'll see. But as a Canucks fan, I definitely don't like it.

When it comes to the trade itself, I'm a little bit on the fence about it. This is so different to everything Burke's done up to now. Just keep in mind the Philly's pick is not the same as the Toronto's one that the Bruins have. But all in all, a pretty interesting deal for sure.

Honestly, I think the trade was good for both the Flyers and the Leafs. The Flyers got more scoring depth and didn't give up too much. That 1st round pick is going to be a very late pick in the 1st round. The Leafs weren't making the playoffs and Versteeg wasn't fitting in there. They needed a 1st round pick. I'd call this win-win.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 10:01 pm

It looks like Kaberle to the Bruins. Reports are that he waived his NTC for one team, the Bruins. Also, Boston's sports talk radio show had Burke on and then Neely on. Both made it sound like they were close to making the deal without saying they were doing a Kaberle deal.

grits207 · Post by **grits207** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:30 pm

bruins72 wrote:It looks like Kaberle to the Bruins. Reports are that he waived his NTC for one team, the Bruins. Also, Boston's sports talk radio show had Burke on and then Neely on. Both made it sound like they were close to making the deal without saying they were doing a Kaberle deal.

Yeah I heard that too. I don't think the Bruins would have to give up much more than a 2nd round pick + maybe a prospect either. According to Nick Kypreos from Sportsnet the Bruins are the only Kaberle would be willing to go to so the Leafs hands are pretty much tied and they will just have to take whatever the Bruins offer them.

Sounds like it will be a great deal for Boston.

Post by **philou21** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:39 pm

I read that Boston would be interested in Liles instead of Karberle.

Post by **Danny** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:38 am

Well the Bruins have acquired Chris Kelly from the Sens for a 2nd round pick for now. Just can't have enough third liners

I'd fully expect Wheeler (similar type of player to Kelly and similar salary) to be packaged with a pick or prospect for D-help now, otherwise the Kelly trade is just pointless.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:46 pm

I'm really surprised that they gave up a 2nd for Kelly. I could maybe see a 3rd, maybe, but not a 2nd. And his cap hit is a little over $2M. I'm thinking they're making another trade involving a forward. Maybe Wheeler is heading out?

I had heard they had interest in Liles a while but but I don't know if they do right now. He's been horrible this year, hasn't he? Other than Kaberle, I've been hearing talk about Pitkanen and Bogosian. I'd love to see them get either of those guys. Still, if they were going to trade for a forward, I would have preferred to see them get a top six forward with some scoring skill and not a bottom 6 guy.

Post by **philou21** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:52 pm

Before the Avs started to have problems Liles got an outstading season beginning. He break the record for a point streak by a defenceman I think.

For now he got 35 pts in 50 games and -6.

Post by **philou21** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 12:00 am

Sens continue their clean up. Ruutu to the Ducks for a 6th round pick. I'm glad that he's gone in the west.

Post by **philou21** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:31 am

Down goes Wisniewski with a puck in the face. The Habs are starting to look like Vancouver.

Círyatan · Post by **Círyatan** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 10:01 am

Is situation at Montréal really that bad? if so, I'm starting to get that Paul Mara trade

As for Canucks... As of yesterday Bieksa is down for three weeks with fractured foot... This means the Canucks now have Alberts, Ballard, Bieksa, Edler, Hamhuis, and L.Sweatt out.

Oh, bugger.

Post by **philou21** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 4:43 pm

Yes it's that bad, that's why they trade for Mara, they want someone to replace...for now, not a big star-D.

We still don't know if Wisniewski is badly injured but I know he got a huge cut on the face, like 3 inches. Gorges, Markov out for the season and Gill, Spacek are out for maybe a couples of days/weeks. They got 4 AHL'ers as D-men.

This is looking like this:

Hamrlik-Subban
Picard-Weber
Nash-Mara

The Sens just trade Elliot to the Avs for Anderson. I'm surprise to see the Avs dumping already Anderson. He didn't got a good season ( like all the Avs team ) but last season he was really good.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 5:07 pm

Reports out of Boston is that the deal for Kaberle is just about done. It's looking like it's Joe Colbourne and Boston's 1st rounder in 2011 for Kaberle and that Kaberle has approved a move to Boston. Now the Bruins just have to make a move to clear up cap space, which is looking like Stuart to Chicago for a pick but I'm not sure if that is enough.