The "New" NHL

[kapkomet]

I posted this on another forum - I'm posting it here to facilitate some conversation about the "rule changes" etc. for the NHL for those of you who wish to talk about it.

 

Some observations from last night:

 

LA had Dallas down 3-0 before people ever got settled in. They added a fourth before the 1st period was over.

 

Dallas really changed their game to the way the game was being called, and LA didn't. Dallas kept charging to the net, turning the corner, and LA would grab or hook on, and immediately draw a penalty.

 

That itself made the game a little choppy, but again, Dallas played smart hockey and played to the way it was being called.

 

The red line being gone is leading to some killer breakaway situations and it is certainly leading to some offensive rushes that you haven't seen in the past. It is also a LOT harder to set up the trap because it can be cherry picked - and the nuetral zone is 4 feet smaller - and that does actually make a difference if you watch how they skate through it.

 

*IF* the calling is consistent and they keep it up through the remaining season, it will change the game and allow for more scoring chances. You HAVE to keep skating and not grab on. Because they do keep skating, offensive chances are more.

 

Dallas came back from a 4-0 deficit to win 5-4. In the old NHL, that would have been just about impossible... because it would have meant LA would just sit back and wait and play dump and chase hockey the rest of the night. In that manner, your team is never out of it, assuming they keep skating and putting pressure on.

[The Critic]

I'm glad they are - FOR NOW - calling the game as the rules dictate.

The old way basically forgave lesser players by allowing them to grab and hang onto guys they could NEVER cover within the rules.

Now, whether or not the refs continue to call the game by the rules as they're written....well, let's just say I've seen the "tighter calling of games" fall by the wayside in midseason before. We'll wait and see.

 

Oh, and nice debut for Khabibulin - givin' up two shorties......ugh.

[southsider2k5]

Hockey? What's hockey? You forget we are in Chicago, and we only get to see 41 games a year

[Queen Prawn]

It was great to see Ottawa win, but for the Canes, Gerber really disappointed me. He was shaky all pre-season. I think they need to start Cam the next game. But then again, maybe Gerber needs a second chance. I guess I shall soon see.

 

Does anyone know if Irbe is still net minding anywhere in the NHL?

[DBAHO]

It was great to see Ottawa win, but for the Canes, Gerber really disappointed me.  He was shaky all pre-season.  I think they need to start Cam the next game.  But then again, maybe Gerber needs a second chance.  I guess I shall soon see.

 

Does anyone know if Irbe is still net minding anywhere in the NHL?

Wasn't Irbe last with Columbus? But they've got LeClaire and Denis now right?

[kapkomet]

Hey Queen, HOW ABOUT THAT KEVIN WEEKES?

[Queen Prawn]

Still givin' up the goals I see lol. Wait until things become challenging .

 

Irbe did go to Columbus, but I didn't see him listed on the team.

[redandwhite]

There are some solid netminders left available on the open market. Felix Potvin, Byron Dafoe, Artus Irbe.. The Bruins were interested in both Dafoe and Potvin for back-up duties but the money wasn't right for them.

[mr_genius]

I'm glad they are - FOR NOW - calling the game as the rules dictate.

The old way basically forgave lesser players by allowing them to grab and hang onto guys they could NEVER cover within the rules.

Now, whether or not the refs continue to call the game by the rules as they're written....well, let's just say I've seen the "tighter calling of games" fall by the wayside in midseason before. We'll wait and see.

 

 

 

 

I really like all the rule changes this year, should make for a much better game. I also think the refs will call the games tight all year. I am sure this has been a mandate from the league.

[Queen Prawn]

There are some solid netminders left available on the open market.  Felix Potvin, Byron Dafoe, Artus Irbe..  The Bruins were interested in both Dafoe and Potvin for back-up duties but the money wasn't right for them.

 

Psst Canes...

 

What can I say - I loves me some LLB (Little Latvian Bastard)! I would be love to see him back with the Canes, but I doubt that happens.

[CWSGuy406]

Alex Ovechkin with two goals in his debut.

 

Might this be the best Calder Trophy (I believe that's ROY) race ever?

[Steve9347]

meanwhile, does anyone realize how horrible Khabibulin looked? Those softies that were low really owned him.

[kapkomet]

Turco looked worse. But his team bailed him out.

[Ozzie Montana]

Hey my team the NJ Devils man, Brodeur was solid in net stopping 36 of 37 shots and holding Crosby to one point. I was upset that they showed the Flyers and Rangers on OLN and not the Devils and Penguins, But they decide to show Buffalo and Pittsburg next week. Hopefully I get to catch one Devils game this year.

 

Anyways, I heard people complaining on 670 yesterday on the Hawks post about too many penalties and that this is not speeding up the game but slowing it down. I agreed with the host that there are a lot of penalties given out right now but the players still have to get used to the new rules. I won't always be like this. These rules will help out the sport. This was the first game this year. Things will get better. Trust me.

 

And Finally the Blackhawks, Nikky allowed too many rebounds and let in a few softies, he had a bad game and will step it up. He didn't help win the Cup by playing like this. Things will turn around. One thing stuck out the most, SPECIAL TEAMS. What was it, something like 1-9 on the PP plus allowing two shorties? This is the major area that they have to step it up. Im glad to see one of the young guys getting on the board though in Bourque. Lapointe added a point. Calder with a pair of assists. But I still havent seen a whole game this year so I'll have to wait til next week to make some more assumptions. Til then, I wont be making so many negative suff about the team cause its not fair. GO HAWKS!!!

[Queen Prawn]

They listened to me and they won!!!!

 

GO CAM WARD AND GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kapkomet]

I watched that game. Ward was incredible.

 

And I will tell you, Crosby is THE real deal once he gets the rid of the shakes and adjusts to this level. He had flashes of BRILLIANCE in that game last night.

 

Holy s*** can this kid see the ice for an 18 year old.

[LDF]

I watched that game.  Ward was incredible.

 

And I will tell you, Crosby is THE real deal once he gets the rid of the shakes and adjusts to this level.  He had flashes of BRILLIANCE in that game last night.

 

Holy s*** can this kid see the ice for an 18 year old.

so the crosby looks good.

 

was he like a young mario or peter fosberg?

[kapkomet]

so the crosby looks good.

 

was he like a young mario or peter fosberg?

he's a blend of both, actually, which makes him SCARY.

 

He's got GREAT hands. His positioning and footwork, and body strength for an 18 year old compared to a lot of guys out there is amazing.

 

He's not developed into his frame yet - however, the puck is attrated to his stick like a damn magnet.

 

In Carolina, he was getting hit, and he still kept the puck moving, his centre of gravity and lower body strength makes him really hard to take out of a play, similiar to Forsberg.

 

On the open ice, he's so fast, and can pass to guys that aren't even where they're supposed to be yet - much like Mario. But the sign of an even better player is his feel for the game - he knows when to slow down and let the game come to him. That's phenominal for an 18 year old.