Pro Hockey Thread

[homer]

There's something to be said about rooting for an underdog. Another point in Toronto's favor - Original 6 member which will give you street cred. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[RyDogg66]

The Maple Leafs sound a lot like the Cubs.

[homer]

The Maple Leafs sound a lot like the Cubs.

I would say they are more like the Packers without the resurgence. The dominated the NHL in the 60's winning 4 Stanley Cups but have won only one division since in 99-00. And similar to Green Bay, a major award/trophy is named after a team legend. Conn Smythe (who served in both World Wars) was a longtime owner of the Leafs and the MVP trophy of the Stanley Cup bears his name.

[Funketown]

I think I have it down to three teams. The Penguins, the Blues and the Maple Leafs.

Don't choose the Maple Leafs. They are way too fun to cheer against.

 

The Penguins are good, but you don't really want to be that guy.

 

Looks like you're down to the Blues. They play tons of games near Wisconsin (St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, St. Paul, Columbus), but I wouldn't expect a cup run from them within the next few years.

[TheEndless7]

Personally, I had never watched a game of pro hockey in my life until I went to college in Chicago. Then, out of boredom in the winter one day I found a Blackhawks game on and started watching. I caught what games I could after, and started watching all of them the next year, well all of them that were on.

 

Interestingly, the Blackhawks compare much better to the Brewers than many people realize. Both teams had pretty bad ownership for an extended period of time. The Blackhawks owner, for example, wouldn't televise home games for a very long time, it wasn't until two years ago that every hawks game was even on TV. Both teams focused on the draft, built a lot of their own young talent, and signed (overpaying for) some key free agents. The hawks have had a bit better luck than the Brewers, but I wouldn't write them out just because they're from Chicago. But I may be partial to some extent.

 

I also say don't bother with the pens. The whole Crosby/Ovechkin thing is too hyped and somewhat annoying for the rest of the league. Yea, you'll get a lot of pens games on VS and NBC (including this years winter classic) but you also have to watch Cindy cry to the ref every time someone looks at him funny...

 

One up-and-coming team I haven't realy seen mentioned is Colorado. They also have a lot of good young talent and some nice vets. I expected them to upset SJ last year, and still think that some of the officiating in that series really favored SJ, but they may be fun to watch.

 

Also, at least on TWC, I'm pretty sure the NHL network is only a couple of dollars more a month, and I think they have a game most nights during the season (however, I don't know that for sure) but it's another venue with which to get hockey. Personally, I keep hoping that one of the southern teams winds up replacing the Admirals, but I'm not sure the city can support both the NBA and the NHL.

[And That]

Whalers

"Breakfasts come and go, Rene. Now Hartford, the Whale? They only beat Vancouver once or twice in a lifetime."

[RyDogg66]

Ok, new question.

 

Who is the best Badger in the NHL? By best Badger, I mean best in the NHL, not best in college. What other Badgers are in the NHL?

[trwi7]

Dany Heatley is the best. Plays for the Sharks.

 

Joe Pavelski - Sharks

Rene Bourque - Flames

Adam Burish - Stars

Chris Chelios - Thrashers (he's old though and is a fringe NHL player right now)

Jake Dowell - Blackhawks (fringe NHL player)

Davis Drewiske - Kings

Robbie Earl - Wild

Brian Elliott - Senators

Tom Gilbert - Oilers

Jamie McBain - Hurricanes

Joe Piskula - Kings

Steve Reinprecht - Panthers

Jack Skille - Blackhawks

Ryan Suter - Predators

Brad Winchester - Blues

Kyle Turris - Coyotes

 

I'm probably forgetting a few.

[JoeHova]

I would say Chelios has had the best career among guys who were in the NHL last season but that Heatley is the best Badger right now.

[TheEndless7]

I have to agree with Trwi, best badger has to be Heatley, but Joe Pavelski is also very good.

[Buckylovesbeer]

Whalers

"Breakfasts come and go, Rene. Now Hartford, the Whale? They only beat Vancouver once or twice in a lifetime."

One of my favorite movies of all time. Great quote! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif I am a pens fan. Love em, always have. I will be that guy if it makes me that guy. Just wish they had a Badger in the linup

 

 

Dany Heatley is the best Badger going right now, but the Polish Prince (Joe Pa) is catching up fast. Dont forget the Moose - Brian Elliot - He has been pretty darn good on a very average team.

 

 

[Paulus88]

Rafalski has been pretty good for a long time. But still probably Heatley.

[rwa12]

Winchester's Badger history is the only reason I tolerate his presence on the Blues. Too nice of a guy to be a consistant power forward. If he ever develops a mean streak, could be good in front of the net.

[RyDogg66]

I'm really getting into hockey this year. It is fun. Following up on the original post, two teams have sperated themselves. The Penguins and the Blues. However, due to Badger ties the Sharks are making a push. I also have taken to the Senators.

 

Is it too late to get into Fantasy Hockey?

[logan82]

I like the picking of teams for the All-Star game.

[Raw Biz]

I like the picking of teams for the All-Star game.

Yeah I watched that last night. Even though everyone knew it was gonna happen, I like that they split up the Sedins. I wish there was a little more controversy though and Lidstrom would've taken Staal's brother or Skinner to split up the Canes. I do like that Phil Kessel (Madison native) got a car for being the last pick though.

[logan82]

Madison native but ultimately a traitor.

[RyDogg66]

I want to take my kids to an Admirals game on 2/20. What is the best section to sit in?

[trwi7]

Anything from 201-213. 201-203 and 211-213 are $19, 204-210 are $17. Kids 14 and under are $11. Get something at least five rows up, you get a better view.

[drezdn]

Here's a cool shot from the Admiral's own Linus Klasen.

[danzig6767]

I think I have it down to three teams. The Penguins, the Blues and the Maple Leafs. If Quebec ever gets a team again I'd like to root for them, its a neat city.

 

My son, somehow, has become a Hartford Whalers fan, maybe because I put Brass Bonanza as my ringtone for a while. He still doesnt understand why they dont exist anymore.

I picked Toronto many years ago to be my NHL team to cheer for, but it was for fairly flimsy reasons.

 

1. I lost 100 bucks on them from a bet with my buddy during a Finals series vs LA in the 90's, but it made me cheer hard for them. I also became a big fan then of some of those players like goalie Felix Potvin and designated goon Tie Domi even though he was only 5'10. After Potvin left, former Badgers great goalie Curtis Joseph took over which kept me a Toronto fan.

 

2. I love their uniforms

 

3. Long time Leafs great Mats Sundin was my key goal scorer on a Play Station hockey game that i'd play against with a good buddy who was a Blackhawks fan. We'd play this hockey game for 10-20 dollars a game usually and thus they'd be intense games after nights of partying.

[RyDogg66]

Where is the best website to use for updated depth charts as they relate to various lines. (i.e. 1st line, 2nd line, PP line, etc etc.)

[zurch1818]

Where is the best website to use for updated depth charts as they relate to various lines. (i.e. 1st line, 2nd line, PP line, etc etc.)

http://www.dailyfaceoff.com/

 

This site is the best. It tells you when goalies are playing and also has the most updated lines. It tells you the 4 lines of forwards, the 3 defensive pairings and both powerplay lines. The lines update from game to game pending on what changes the team made.