2008-09 NHL Season Thread - Page 15

ZiggyPop · 11-25-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

They wont'. Picture him being in hamilton come Christmas....if he's lucky.

O'Byrne has to go through waivers first if he is demoted, so I don't think this will happen. I think he needs to keep playing and build up his confidence. Good thing they are on the road for a couple of games!

Long_Long_Name · 11-25-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZiggyPop

Maudit tabarnak.

Do I really have to explain how frustrating it was to be at Bell Centre last night? O'Byrne is going to get booed until Christmas, at least.
And it couldn't happen at a worse time for him since fans were already growing impatient with him. At first, he reminded me of Komisarek when he first made the club. He was hesitant with the puck and often missed his passes. But he turned out more than good.
Gorges was also in the doghouse for a lot of fans, especially after one really bad play last year (can't remember against which team).
But the O'Byrne situation may have taken a turn for the worst last night. I truely hope we, the fans, will quickly forget, but I doubt it.

If O'Byrne becomes, like Komisarek, the bet stay-at-home defenseman in the NHL, I'd be surprised. But hey, I'd be all for it

.

canadiancreed · 11-25-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

If O'Byrne becomes, like Komisarek, the bet stay-at-home defenseman in the NHL, I'd be surprised. But hey, I'd be all for it

.

Good point. A "baptism by fire" may be exactly what he needs. Plus as you said having two very good b-liners in the fold would be awesome.

ZiggyPop · 11-25-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

If O'Byrne becomes, like Komisarek, the bet stay-at-home defenseman in the NHL, I'd be surprised. But hey, I'd be all for it

.

Probably more likely to become a good 5th defenseman, à la Sean O'Donnell, Hal Gill or Ken Klee. Somewhat of an asset, but nothing to be excited about.

I truely hope we get over this quickly, I don't want to see Dandeneault back at the blue line.

Bluenoser · 11-25-2008, 04:27 PM

The odds of this happening aren't overwhelming, but all he has to do is score a couple of key goals or make some really big defensive plays at critical points in a game and he'll be forgiven.

He certainly has the potential to be a top 4 D'man, whether he lives up to it is another story.

Long_Long_Name · 11-26-2008, 03:04 PM

For all my bitching about black alternates, which are almost always a bad idea in my opinion, I have to point out the beauty of the Kings' new one.

Bluenoser · 11-27-2008, 07:06 AM

Well, O'Byrne did nothing to make ammends last night on the Franzen goal - gave the puck away and then was undressed. Good thing they weren't at the Bell Centre.

piperclap · 11-30-2008, 12:31 PM

Sunday Insider: Wild not anti-American
Good article about the percieved bias of Riseborough and Lemaire against American or College players.

As a Minnesotan, I'd love to see some more US players on the team from the cradle of US hockey. Riseborough argued that it didn't work for the Canadiens to be all French-but the only time the North Stars were ever good is when they had the best Minnesotan in the league (Broten).

Afino · 11-30-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piperclap

Sunday Insider: Wild not anti-American
Good article about the percieved bias of Riseborough and Lemaire against American or College players.

As a Minnesotan, I'd love to see some more US players on the team from the cradle of US hockey. Riseborough argued that it didn't work for the Canadiens to be all French-but the only time the North Stars were ever good is when they had the best Minnesotan in the league (Broten).

The percentage of Americans in the NHL has actually increased over the last few years (I saw From 1998-99 to today: A demographic study of the*NHL - From The Rink yesterday - 4.1% increase over the last 10 years), and that doesn't even include players like Thomas Vanek (born in Austria but even went to Minnesota for college)

But Russo answers his own question, which is why this shouldn't be a big issue - Minnesota hasn't been in the POSITION to draft highly-rated American players.

I will add that the Sabres do have an unofficial policy of drafting players that play in American college (see Vanek, Ryan Miller, Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy), because as an organizational philosophy, they prefer it that way, but I don't think it's a bias, per se. That's too strong of a word.

canadiancreed · 11-30-2008, 02:21 PM

What numbnut(s) came up with that preception, and honestly what does it matter as long as you win?

Like the team(s) that I follow are probably around 50% euro at their peak and never really thought much of it as long as they win. Then again you cnat' go to a locker room without falling over a Canadian so maybe that's why?

piperclap · 11-30-2008, 04:13 PM

Well, in Minnesota its a little different than say, Columbus.

A lot of people here are proud of all the players we produce, and many get followed throughout their careers-heck, one of the big daily papers even does a "Minnesotans in the Pros" thing which lists the Minnesotans playing pro-even backup goalies in the DEL.

Add to it that the University of Minnesota fields a team comprised of all Minnesotans (with Vanek, Kessel, and a freshman this year being rare exceptions), and people are eager to be able to see their Minnesotan players every night.

Personally, if I was running the team, I'd have a preference for college players and Minnesotan players-most fans in Minnesota would rather see a 4th line guy who played in the WCHA than a 4th line guy from Moose Jaw.

Long_Long_Name · 11-30-2008, 06:14 PM

I've heard the same old argument so often about French Canadians playing for the Habs. I can see it makes a little more sense to draft a French Canadian than, say, some dude from Alberta, because merchandise sales and what not just might be higher, but that's the only reason I'd do it - from a pure GM point of view, I would never favour a local guy over someone just slightly better who happened to be from out of town.

piperclap · 11-30-2008, 06:32 PM

My argument would apply to those of the same skill level. Obviously, the better player should win out-but given two of equal talent, take the local kid.

Long_Long_Name · 12-01-2008, 01:04 PM

The Lightning takes a few pages from the Senators:

darkenigma510 · 12-01-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

The Lightning takes a few pages from the Senators:

bad trend.

canadiancreed · 12-01-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkenigma510

bad trend.

Standard operating procedure for the last 15 years or so for the NHL.

at least it's not as bad as the 70's uniform designs.

Long_Long_Name · 12-01-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

at least it's not as bad as the 70's uniform designs.

I completely disagree

Bluenoser · 12-01-2008, 04:23 PM

It's the latest thing - Shop.NHL.com - Atlanta Thrashers Team Homepage: NEW 2008 Rbk Atlanta Thrashers Premier Third Jersey (Blank or Customized)

Long_Long_Name · 12-01-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceM

It's the latest thing - Shop.NHL.com - Atlanta Thrashers Team Homepage: NEW 2008 Rbk Atlanta Thrashers Premier Third Jersey (Blank or Customized)

I've seen that one a month ago or so - maybe it wasn't official at the time, I guess.

It's "correct", but it's still fugly

.

Bluenoser · 12-01-2008, 04:26 PM

Well according to the Thrashers, it's official for the 08/09 season.

11-26-2008, 03:04 PM	#286
Long_Long_Name Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 7,065	For all my bitching about black alternates, which are almost always a bad idea in my opinion, I have to point out the beauty of the Kings' new one. __________________ Beta Baseball. Join it!

11-27-2008, 07:06 AM	#287
Bluenoser Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In The Moment Posts: 14,183	Well, O'Byrne did nothing to make ammends last night on the Franzen goal - gave the puck away and then was undressed. Good thing they weren't at the Bell Centre. Last edited by Bluenoser; 11-27-2008 at 07:07 AM.

11-30-2008, 06:14 PM	#292
Long_Long_Name Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 7,065	I've heard the same old argument so often about French Canadians playing for the Habs. I can see it makes a little more sense to draft a French Canadian than, say, some dude from Alberta, because merchandise sales and what not just might be higher, but that's the only reason I'd do it - from a pure GM point of view, I would never favour a local guy over someone just slightly better who happened to be from out of town. __________________ Beta Baseball. Join it!

12-01-2008, 01:04 PM	#294
Long_Long_Name Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 7,065	The Lightning takes a few pages from the Senators: __________________ Beta Baseball. Join it!

11-25-2008, 04:27 PM	#285
Bluenoser Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In The Moment Posts: 14,183	The odds of this happening aren't overwhelming, but all he has to do is score a couple of key goals or make some really big defensive plays at critical points in a game and he'll be forgiven. He certainly has the potential to be a top 4 D'man, whether he lives up to it is another story.

11-30-2008, 12:31 PM	#288
piperclap All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 671	Sunday Insider: Wild not anti-American Good article about the percieved bias of Riseborough and Lemaire against American or College players. As a Minnesotan, I'd love to see some more US players on the team from the cradle of US hockey. Riseborough argued that it didn't work for the Canadiens to be all French-but the only time the North Stars were ever good is when they had the best Minnesotan in the league (Broten).

11-30-2008, 02:21 PM	#290
canadiancreed Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 11,660	What numbnut(s) came up with that preception, and honestly what does it matter as long as you win? Like the team(s) that I follow are probably around 50% euro at their peak and never really thought much of it as long as they win. Then again you cnat' go to a locker room without falling over a Canadian so maybe that's why?

11-30-2008, 04:13 PM	#291
piperclap All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 671	Well, in Minnesota its a little different than say, Columbus. A lot of people here are proud of all the players we produce, and many get followed throughout their careers-heck, one of the big daily papers even does a "Minnesotans in the Pros" thing which lists the Minnesotans playing pro-even backup goalies in the DEL. Add to it that the University of Minnesota fields a team comprised of all Minnesotans (with Vanek, Kessel, and a freshman this year being rare exceptions), and people are eager to be able to see their Minnesotan players every night. Personally, if I was running the team, I'd have a preference for college players and Minnesotan players-most fans in Minnesota would rather see a 4th line guy who played in the WCHA than a 4th line guy from Moose Jaw.

11-30-2008, 06:32 PM	#293
piperclap All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 671	My argument would apply to those of the same skill level. Obviously, the better player should win out-but given two of equal talent, take the local kid.

12-01-2008, 04:23 PM	#298
Bluenoser Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In The Moment Posts: 14,183	It's the latest thing - Shop.NHL.com - Atlanta Thrashers Team Homepage: NEW 2008 Rbk Atlanta Thrashers Premier Third Jersey (Blank or Customized)

12-01-2008, 04:26 PM	#300
Bluenoser Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In The Moment Posts: 14,183	Well according to the Thrashers, it's official for the 08/09 season.