They let Biron retire. The best backup of the last 10 years.

Peter Budaj is Biron's successor.

Tell that to Andrew Raycroft.

That is a good question, Brian Elliot would br my pick atm.

Seems like the true "back up" is a dying breed. Lots of 1A-1B, or Starter and young guy who will probably be a starter down the road. Brian Elliot could probably start. Guys like Budaj couldn't. Brent Johnson was an amazing back up until he retired.

Here's the 30 for 30 "Big Shot" about John Spano of the Islanders.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UZU7srdgw8c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That coaching change in Miami was way overdue.

How Tallon wasn't sent too baffles me. The Panthers have pieces but sorely lack direction.

Yackmark is the real problem. Get that fuck out and everything will get better.

Wow Buffalo is bad.

Bruins win by 3 tomorrow vs Leafs.

Does anybody know of a player who was picked up at the trade deadline, not resigned the next season and then picked up at the trade deadline again by the same team?

Can't think of anybody...

Cory Stillman?

Also Bryz to Edm!

Maybe Jagr this year? <3

Stillman? No.

Mike Keenan kept recycling guys, I'm sure it happened on one of his teams.


Also, Leafs shut out Bruins tonight.

You knew something had to change in Edm between the pipes. I'd say they will be trading Dubnyk at this point. If they went to the USSR and got Theodore, I'd had seen that as a vote for Dubnyk to have a mentor and solid backup. But this (IMO) means times up; we're going different direction. If they don't deal Dubnyk, then this organization is really messed up beyond what I thought.

Fucking hell, Markstrom is a shit goalie.

<font color=goldenrod>The Islanders suck.</font> :(

He was literally the best prospect in the world. Florida caught lightning in a bottle 2 years ago and fooled everybody into thinking they were better than they were. Their defence is a mess.

Erik Johnson finally making me feel like not an asshole for loving him

Oh my God yes. It's like they don't even attempt to make stops. Someone needs to make them watch D3: The Mighty Ducks so they can remember how to clear the trash in front of the net.

Bruins.

It's honestly like the threw together a team and said "go play". No direction, and Kevin Dineen was not the problem. Unreal expectations followed by prospects who are taking longer to develop or some who haven't panned out: Keaton Ellerby, thought Kulikov would be better. When Jesse Winchester has been your best player then you have issues lol.

That Stamkos injury is such a major bummer. I was really looking forward to the "Stamkos-Crosby-whoever" line in the Olympics.

:'(

:(

Russia

Lol The elevator in Buffalo broke so Rick Jennarett called play by play between the benches with a helmet and full faceshield on. Haha had a player checked into him during the game. Rick is such a fucking gem.

Glad to see Ted Nolan back in the NHL. :y:

Lol what is Buffalo thinking? He's a cancer.

10 bucks says he ends up fucking Millers Wife.

Nolan is Intermin by the way. He isnt expected to finish the year. He is leaving the team no later than Feb to prep for the World Championships as he is LAtvias coach.

Basically what happened is they finally decided to Fire Darcy. They Hire Patty to come in as President of Hockey Ops and hire a new GM. He decided he doesnt want Rolston as a lame duck, wants him gone to change culture. So he calls up his old coach and pal Nolan to come in and coach the team while they hire a new GM (Interviewing Botterill from Pitt soon) and the new GM will hire a coach to finish the year and lead the team going forward.

This is the first time I remember a team bringing in an Interim coach with the intention to not let him finish the year.

If the Panthers would be willing to part ways with Gudbranson and Markstrom, then they could be a good trading partner for the Oil. Panthers have promising centers in Huberdeau and Bjugstad, while the Oilers have some promising wingers obviously that would look good playing beside them.

Could be a great deal for both teams.

Panthers need Gudbranson. Wouldn't be surprised to see Kulikov and Markstrom go though.

Bummed out that Bryzgalov sustained that "whiplash / concussion" injury the other night. Starting goalies are a rare premium in TPWW hockey this year. :'(

Amazed to see the Habs climb up as the Leafs keep falling down the standings.

Very disappointed in Ottawa this season, I was expecting much better.

And what's the deal with Steen's production this season? Late bloomer or "lucky" season which will not be repeated?

I haven't watched a full game in three weeks. I'm tired of how the game has changed. No passion or excitement anymore. Can't throw a big check without getting sent off, refs jumping in early on fights. Just can't be bothered anymore. It's not worth the frustration.

I share similar sentiments. The only hockey that I watch is HNIC on Saturday if I'm not out. This whole new Rogers deal will probably kill my interest in watching hockey next season.

Le Magnifique
http://i.imgur.com/d4hApCb.gif

:-\ Habs beat the Bs.

I can't believe how one night my Oilers shit the bed, embarrass themselves at home and lose 6-2 to the coyotes and tonight blow the avalanche out of the building.

Oilers are a mess. Saw that Gazdic kicked the piss out of Bordeleau. Never thought id see that but it was due to happens because of how Bordy fights.

I hoping and waiting for the day that the Oil get their D and goaltending in order while continuing to explode offensively with Yakupov and the Nuge finally hitting their strides in addition to Hall, Eberle, and Perron.

I wanna see the Oilers set the league on fire as an offensive power house and finally bring the cup home to Canada. I can dream, can't I? :wave:

They will never unless they deal some of those young forwards. How the hell are they going to pay Eberle, RNH, Hall, Yakupov, etc.... and still have an elite goaltender and capable defence. Been saying for years: stop spending high picks on forwards. The Isles are on the right track. They've got a stellar group of young defence in the pipeline: Hamonic, De Haan, MacDonald, Reinhart, Donovan, Pulock, Mayfield. That's how you build a team.

They'll have the money because of TV deals. They do need to address the back in now though.

Depends on how much the cap is going up. Those young guys are going to be due big raises, as is Perron with the season he's having. Going to be difficult.

Bruins win and Thorton gives a goon what he had coming to him for a long time. :y:

Orpik is not a goon and Thornton is going to get 10 games for that.

Right. Loui Eriksson's concussion and other's knees say otherwise.

Thornton was really stupid to slam Orpik onto the ice and then pummel him afterwards.

He does have a habit of being too quick of a hothead anytime a Bs player gets hurt but went way overboard with that "fight"

Keep your head up! The league has turned its fans and players into whiny bitches. Christ.

You have not disproven what I have said. He's a goon. Thornton was wrong in attacking him so viciously though.

Orpik MAYBE gets in 2 fights a season. He's one of the best defensive defencemen in the league. Tough, hard nosed. He's not a goon. Furthest thing from it.

Goons don't get signed to 6 year 22 million dollar contracts. You don't even know what a goon is.

Goons don't get selected to team U.SA's Olympic orientation camp.

Are you done? It was a clean hit. Stop crying.

What really bothered me is what James Neal did to Marchand. That type of shit makes the NHL look bad. No room in the game for that. He'd better get a lengthy suspension.

Orpik isn't a goon.

Orpik's hit was clean. This Code BS going around is complete bull. You don't HAVE to fight when provoked. Stupidest thing I've heard.

As a person who actually owns a James Neal Jersey and is one of this biggest fans usually, He should be suspended for his involvement, no question. Accidental, not, doesn't matter. He was in wrong and should have to bear the penalty.

That being said, to compare to the out right ridiculous act Thorton did is insane. IF that same act was done in public would be considered assault.

Every act of physicality in every sport would be considered assault if done in public. That argument is circular.

They both should receive lengthly suspensions. Neal and Thornton both acted like idiots, and this is coming from the biggest pro-fighting, pro-physical hockey guy around.

Lol the Islanders are woeful. Can it be last season again please? :(

good luck getting Vanek to sign on

You are impressively moronic.

I think Thornton's suspension will be shorter than one would think because it was Orpik he took out.

I can't believe Neal only got 5 games.

My initial guess is Shawn Thronton gets 8 games.

I don't think Thornton will get less than 10.

Trying to think if he's a repeat offender. I don't believe he is.

And the fact it was Orpik won't factor.

Chris Simon stomped on Jaarko Ruutu who was the biggest shithead around and got a long one.

Lol remember when Chris Simon got suspended for calling Mike Grier a nigger.

When I first saw the play my immediate thoughts were that he'd get the season, but I stand by the Orpik comment I made

Lol and didn't Jaarko Ruutu bite Patrick Kaleta?

There's an awesome video from the Finnish Elite League of Trevor Gillies skating up to Ruutu and ko'ing him for no reason. What Gillies was doing in the league in the first place is beyond me, but I'll admit I smiled.

The Blackhawks are good at hockey.

Sean Couterier was outstanding for the Flyers last night. I don't follow the east much, but he sticks out.

NHL suspends Shawn Thornton for 15 games from the hit he gave to Brooks Orpik.

Whoa, Shanny laid the hammer down. Clarkson got 2 games for no reason and I'm guessing Gudbranson will get the same. Fucking hate the NHL. Got the night to myself and I'm not watching a single minute. Just can't wait to watch the WJC and Spengler Cup.

Hawks vs the shit leaves tonight . How about if the Hawks win, you have to change your avatar to a big bbc

Nice to hear Bobby Cole on commentary tonight. Miss the old bastard, his voice is hockey. Although the beating the leafs are about to receive might give him a heart attack :shifty:

How about you wrap your lips around my hpv cock. Lol 7-3. Hahaha!

"Mario Lemieux makes Mike Richter do the Tim Thomas dance."
http://i.imgur.com/4aXqAEj.gif

Simply the best there was, and the best there ever will be... Le Magnifique.

<font color=goldenrod>Islanders blow their lead with 4 seconds left in regulation and of course go on to lose in a shootout.

I'm at a loss for words at how bad this team is.</font>

Sean Avery was the last interesting player in the league. Players are sooooo boring.

:rofl: I love the category, "has one of those faces".

Malkin with the greatest Photo Bomb maybe ever after the Neal Hat Trick tonight. LOL

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kXJzwl_oGik" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Not really having a rooting interest in it but the Winter Classic was fantastic theater.

Leafs games are always entertaining. 60 minutes of chaos every night.

LOVE the Liles for Gleason trade. Gleason is exactly what the Leafs needed.

just got back from ann arbor.... winter classic was AMAZING. and I chirped the shit out of Kris Draper too.

Awesome!!

I was at the first Winter Classic, cool experience for sure.

I would have loved to have been at the 2nd alumni game. Essentially the '97 Red Wings vs the '93 Leafs with some late 90's / early 2000's Leafs along with Sittler and Lanny. That was awesome!

Patrick Sharp is on fire.

Have no idea what they are gonna do but Canada would be pretty dumb to break up whatever Crosby and Kunitz got goin on this year.

I actually met Lanny and Tiger Williams at the hotel we stayed at in Detroit for the OHL games. Super awesome guys, Lanny is a class act. I guess all the alumni were there but we got back pretty late, there was a Leafs private party in the hotel bar, we got free food and stuff.

Based on the season that he is having, I do not believe that Rick Nash should have been selected for Team Canada. I've always liked Nash, and I hope that he does well in Sochi despite his point production in the NHL this season.

I really wish that we could send two teams, lol.

Rick Nash is and has been one of the top 3 most over-rated players in the league. He's a younger Ryan Smyth.

Pretty much the entire Hawks team is in the Olympics. Except Saad. Who should be on USA. Saad got robbed.

Not sure why I haven't made a single Sharks biased post in this thread yet this season. I've been slacking.

BEAT DETROIT.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>YOU GUYS READY FOR THIS!? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SJSharks&amp;src=hash">#SJSharks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BeatDetroit&amp;src=hash">#BeatDetroit</a></p>&mdash; Matt Fraser (@TheFraze408) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheFraze408/statuses/421485480396349441">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

:lol: hearing Eric Cartman's voice at the start of the Kings-Bs game.

Had completely forgotten the Kings use Cartman for their rally and pre-game stuff.

Adam Larsson (4th overall in 2011) just got sent down to Albany. Yeesh, the Devils organization is a friggen mess. They have a old as hell team and no prospects.

I've been slacking on Panthers hockey. :/

The Sharks just lost 1-0 at home to the Bruins. Guess their goalie is the real fuckin' deal.

<font color=goldenrod>Islanders on a roll. 4 game winning streak, and 7 straight road wins.</font>

I love how old man Jagr is carrying that team. He was my 2nd favorite player when I was a kid.

Loved the fact the U.S. NHL home team lost that game. Tough shit for NBC having to air a Canadian NHL team win on their air.

And Gleason going to Toronto? Just a quick fix for the Leafs. Won't do much long term for a team who only made the playoffs last year, because it was a half-season...the Leafs don't have what is needed to make the playoffs in an 82-game campaign anymore, and won't until they fix other, larger shit that's wrong with their club.