<font color=goldenrod>Seeing the little kids in the Lokomotiv jerseys is just heart wrenching. Can't even fathom that, having your entire favorite team perish like that.

Class act by Dynamo Minsk.</font>

Galimov, the only player to survive the crash, died from his injuries.

Toews Headshot on a 10 year Old

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2011/09...child-in-head/

This has been an insane off season.

Typically speaking, it's better that we separate sports from our daily lives. Sports are something that should be considered entertainment, fun, and a way to unplug from the day to day grind.

This offseason has been a test of that.

Me personally, I was a huge Rick Rypien fan, very disappointed when the Canucks let him sign with the Jets, but also excited that he would get a chance to play more than 5 minutes a games.

When Wade Belak died, Gertner was the first person I though of.

Boorgaard, Demitra and the whole Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team.

These events bring a sad reality us fans typically like to taunt and chirp at each other about.

This is surreal..

I know what you mean bud, normally Ill chirp with Gertner and trash-talk with people. This offseason has left me and a lot of hockey fans with a bad taste in our mouths. Its going to be a depressing few few games to start the season. Normally I am excited but I really haven't paid much attention to anything this offseason.

No idea where I'm going here at all. Just depressing.

I can't wait for the season to start, but not having Luke Schenn signed is worrying me.

The Toronto Sun says Schenn should have a deal "done by Friday" for around 3 years, $4 mil annually.

Was kinda hoping for a couple years longer, but I figured it'd be 4 mill 4-5 years. No problem with that deal. Love Schenn.

If they don't sign him, they are morons. Best player they have drafted in a long time.

TEEMU FTW.

1 year, 4 million.

Myers 7 years / 38.5 Million

Got a 10 million signing bonus.

Myers is amazing. Buffalo is my pick to come out of the East.

Yeah, I would give my left nut for Pegula to take over the Habs.

Vanek-Roy-Stafford
Ennis-Leino-Pominville
Gerbe-Hecht-Boyes
McCormick-Gaustad-Kaleta

Ehrhoff-Leopold
Myers-Regher
Gragnani-Sekara
Morrison-Weber

Miller
Enroth


This is one fuckin solid team. Kassian, Adam in the miniors could easily jump in.

Just bought tickets to Ducks vs Hawks in October.

That's gonna be a great game. Chicago is my pick out of the West. Adding Montador and O'Donnell is big. Carcillo is gonna be a hit in Chicago.

Jets vs Habs is on my birthday :)

Myers on second pairing?

I'm thinking Myers/ Regher as a shut down pair and the pairing will see the same amount of minutes as Ehrhoff/Leopold. Leopold had a big season last year, as did Ehrhoff and will both see a lot of power play time. I see it more as 1A and 1B. I'm thinking Gragnani will see time on the Power play and Sekara on the pk, but probably only play between 12-14 minutes a game while the top 4 all over 20.

Power play

1. Ehrhoff/Leopold
2. Myers/Gragnani

Penalty Kill

1. Myers/Regher
2. Ehrhoff/Sekara

It should balence out

I think Leopold and Regehr would be better because Myers/ Ehrhoff would likely go the way Pronger/Nieds and Rafalski/Lidstrom did and that would be just plain sick.

Yah I almost went Avs v Hawks on my birthday, but I decided not too. I have big vacation around my birthday so Ducks Hawks in Madhouse on Madison it is.

Man, I would love that. Get to see Getzy, Perry AND Toews in the same night :D

The day they nabbed Regehr they announced they planned on him teaming with Tyler (who said his favorite player growing up was Regehr) but that might change.

Gertner almost nailed the "Rumored" lines from my buddies that work in the organization.

Vanek - Leino - Stafford is the plan, as they want Vanek and Staff handling the puck like they did when Roy was out last year.

Ennis - Roy - Pominville but Pommers will miss the start of the season due to injury

Gerbe - Gaustad - Boyes

Hecht - McCormick - Kaleta

Kotalik and Ellis on the bench (though Kotalik will be moved to make cap room)

Myers - Regehr
Ehrhoff - Leopold
Sekera - Weber
Gragnani - Morrison

Morrison is most liekly going to go to make the cap. I LOVE Gragnani, and they seem to want to keep him around, but they signed Sekera Long term this off season to big money. Weber is a Lindy Favorite, so I see him fitting next to Sekera. Gragnani also sees time on as a forward when people need a night off. I was really hoping Grags could ( and he still may ) find a big role on the PP - he was the best defense-man on the team in the playoffs and has the best Vision and Hands of the defenders IMHO.

Of course, Lindy loves fucking shuffling lines the last few years, so I wouldnt be surprised to see all kinds of crazy shit.

At one point last year the top line was

Vanek - McCormick - Pommers

That is one goddamn deep team. If I didn't already pick the Caps to take it, I would take them now.

I see either Ennis or Gerbe being traded or something though, either are too good for third line.

I hope so. Rick Jeanerette is pulling back his schedule starting this year, so his days are numbered.

And If I see that cup get lifted without him screaming about it, it wont be the same.

Let me be the first to say...

Fuck

Brett

Hull

Also probably going to get NHL package if I can figure out if I can see Hawk games.

Gerbe signed a new deal this year for 3 years. Ennis is on the last year of his deal.

I think both stay. Ennis is a 25 goal player this year. And I think Gerbe will break 20-25 and he is such a good leader and he grinds it out so well. I love his game so much.

I think if anyone gets traded, which most likely they will due to the cap situtation, would be Hecht or Boyes in the last years of their deals.

:'(

I can't wait to go to my first Hawks game. First pro hockey game too.

I havent been to one, plently of junior and major junior. But tickets to see the Habs are ridiculous.

For the East I think it's gonna be Buffalo or Washington. Buffalo was explained above. But I think Voukun was the missing piece in ending the playoff disappointment for the Capitals.

In the West, I feel like the Sharks may pull out the upset. Burns is huge for them. And Havlat will be nice to see with real playmakers. Failing that, I'm on the Chicago boat.

Also, probably gonna get Gamecenter Live this season. Streaming to my Mac plus streaming to the PS3 and access to NHL Vault. Sweet deal for 20 a month.

Hard to believe I've been to more NHL games then a Canadian.

Two questions.

1) Where do you live?
2) How much are average ticket prices?

Colorado, and I have no idea, my dad bought the tickets.

Well for me to see a Habs game.

- Saw off an arm and sell it on the black market
- Take the money from that and add about $1000 bucks to it.
- Somehow locate a ticket for sale
- Get to Montreal (Its 1200KM away)
- Find a hotel room for a night or two
- Get home

Now of course that is in jest, but I have looked into the cost of me going to a Habs game and it was roughly about $1000.

Schenn is locked for 5 years, somewhere around 3.5 million a year. Although the exact details aren't known.

Seems about right.

Now to settle into mediocrity.