Official First Round of the NHL Playoffs Thread

[bigt2k4]

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Also, Canadian beer is not the greatest in the world, but it is head and shoulders above American beer, which I cannot seem to stand(except for High Life, which is very good for the price)

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LOL, .... High Life!!

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Hey it's $6 cheaper for a 24 than beers like Canadian and Blue, plus I really like the aftertaste of High Life. The beer isn't very good, but I like the aftertaste.

[Wes Mantooth]

Signing Chara to a long term deal should be a good move for the rangers. Teams that are rebuilding around youth still need a few veteran defenseman in the mix. Chara is only 28/29 and still has at least 5 more good years.

I think Lundqvist suffered toward the end of the season has to do with more then just playing too many games. It was a combination of an average defensive group in front of him, injuries, and a lack of confidence. He still young for a starting goalie and over the next few years he should turn into a fairly solid goalie.

That said, the rangers ran into the hottest team in the league.

[Wes Mantooth]

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Also, Canadian beer is not the greatest in the world, but it is head and shoulders above American beer, which I cannot seem to stand(except for High Life, which is very good for the price)

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LOL, .... High Life!!

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Hey it's $6 cheaper for a 24 than beers like Canadian and Blue, plus I really like the aftertaste of High Life. The beer isn't very good, but I like the aftertaste.

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Its cool, sometimes its more about the quantity then the quality.

BTW, Blue is one of my favorite beers, but maybe cause I live in the states I appreciate it more because I rarely have it.

[lozen]

I never gave Colorado a chance either. Now if Colorado beats Dallas and Calgary and the Oilers win. We have ourselfs a "Battle of Alberta" in the second round.

Aghh the memories [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Beer, strippers, Hockey and it's the Battle of Alberta Thats Haeven [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Wes Mantooth]

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Devils have impressed. Devils have been playing great since after the Olympics. I'm not sure if anyone can beat them in the EC right now. A hot goaltender is about as good as gold when it comes to winning the SC. Rangers have come into the playoffs playing poorly and showing no heart. I can't feel too bad though as a Devil fan, actually I feel great [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].

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The Devils split up the top line (the best line in the league right now) of Elias, Gomez, Gionta, by moving Elias to the second line and moving rookie Zach Parise from 3rd line to the 1st line. At first I thought this was crazy, but for some reason this turned out to work out even better. Both lines are scoring and the Devils 3rd line with Madden and Pandolfo has shutdown other teams top lines.

The Devils defense struggled early in the year but now all their defenseman 1-6 and even 7th (David Hale) are playing very well. The D-lines have been excellent at killing penalties and are also breaking out of the defensive zone well. When did Richard Matvichuk learn how to play defense? When did Colin White actually learn how to skate fast? Who knows but it’s working.

Broduer = best goalie in the league. Best goalie ever.

[wh1t3bread]

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But should they go after Chara? I mean, are you sure this team is ready for a deep run in the playoffs?


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I think they should go after Chara. Chara would be an excellent fit in New York and like Mantooh said, he just turned 29. The guy still has 4-5 good years left in him. I don't think one should assume that by signing Chara you are committing yourself to making a run at the Stanley Cup for the next two years. Barring the always potential injury issue, Chara should be able to play at a very high level at least the next 4-5 years.

A top five of Chara, Rosival, Malik, Kaisparaits, Poti is solid (and all 30 or younger except Kasper). And you would still have a spot or two for younger guys like Tyutin (who has played well this year but still needs more work, IMO), Pock & Staal.

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Should the Rangers really build a team around him [Jagr] given that he is irreplacable (given his salary/performance ratio) and beginning the end of his career?

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Jagr has 1-2 years left of being able to play at his current level. History has shown that what he has done this year is just not sustainable into your mid to upper 30's. While I don't think they shouldn't necessarily build a team around him they should continue to promote their younger players and continue to add younger (< 30) FA's in an effort to compete now (and compete in the playoffs) as well as build a team that can compete past 2010.

[wh1t3bread]

Anyone know a website that lists player salaries and years remaining on contracts? (I know tsn.ca has salaries, but I don't think they have years remaining on contracts).

[capone0]

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Broduer = best goalie in the league. Best goalie ever.

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I concur. I hope Brodeur can win one without Stevens.

The return of Elias was also a catalyst in the teams resurgence. But I think you kinda pointed that out.

[Triumph36]

No, but this is a nice site:

http://www.geocities.com/floridapant.../free2006.html

Also another key change the Devils made was moving Marshall down to the checking line. Marshall is a career - even though he's spent most of his career in New Jersey and Dallas so I was surprised to see New Jersey do this, but having Langenbrunner on the second line has really re-energized his offense which he was missing earlier in the year.

[wh1t3bread]

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No, but this is a nice site:

http://www.geocities.com/floridapant.../free2006.html


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Cool. Thanks.