The Sultan of Swank

I'm terribly surprised and dissappointed to see the media so wildly defending Chara and blaming the arena design for the injury. Chara is paid millions of dollars a year to know where he is on the ice... Also, this Bruins team was out for blood last night. I mean Boychuck took a flying elbow run at Subban at the start of the game and paid dearly for it at the hands of Ryan White... (I guess you're not so tough when you have a willing opponent Johnny...), the entire series of that hit started because Pacioretty gave Seidenburg a good clean hard hit, and even into the third period, Lucic was going after Pouliot who just laughed at him. I kind of feel that based on the actions of the team as a whole, we need to question whether Chara wanted to hurt Pacioretty or not. Obviously not into the turnbuckle, but even it that was along the boards, so instead of a broken neck, Chara still would have hit him in the head and he still likely would have had a concussion...

So severe, which we can assume is a grade 3 concussion and a broken vertebrae, not displaced so at least he'll walk again. My views on the hit make it hard to determine what Chara should get. On the one hand, Pacioretty didn't have the puck and it was a late hit, but I don't believe Chara was intentionally trying to run him into the partition. Then again, in the replay, you see Chara being beaten by Pacioretty and pushing him up and into it. I think that was more of an attempt to impede him, but still, especially considering the hit was late and the severity of the injury, Chara should be held responsible for his actions. Personally, I don't believe he'll get very much. He's a star player, so he already gets a pass, I don't believe he's a repeat offender (this will likely be part of the justification of the terrible decision by the league, if in fact is isn't a repeat offender). Max Pac is just a rookie so it's not as though he did this to Ovechkin or Iglina or god forbid Crosby. Although, this is the most severe injury caused by a bonehead decision since Bertuzzi on Moore. I would like to see Chara get the rest of the year. That would be 16 games, let's round it up to 20 and he's back for game 5 of Round 1. I think that would start to send the message that you are responsible for your actions in this league. The Habs fan in me wants him to get the rest of the year plus playoffs, but if it's a Montreal/Boston first round that has the possibility of only being an extra game or 2 considering Montreal traditionally owns Boston at everything to do with hockey... yes I am aware they the Habs were swept 2 years ago. Now asides from the injury, I'm seriously pissed at the blow this will deal to the Habs. Pacioretty has been on fire in the last 10-15 games. He was starting to play like a power forward who can score some goals. Our already poor offense just took a hit, and our rag tag defense isn't going to get any better until about May at the best, and there's no reason to think the Habs will still be playing hockey in May... God damnit Chara...

I've often lamented CBC's coverage of Habs/Leafs games... I take back everything I've ever said. Sportsnet, only 3 minutes into the game have purpoted that Toronto has the best yound D in the East... laughable, that Toronto is marching to a playoff spot... improbable, that Monteal is quickly falling out of the playoff picture despite holding the #6 spot for several weeks now and that P.K. Subban isn't so much talented as he is an antagonist. Is this really the way you Leafers see this?

Ahem... Delicious. >_>

Hah! I saw that online earlier and felt pretty bad for Darren Pang. Leafs/Habs on saturday will be broadcast is 3D, this begs the question do the Leafs even have 3 D? I know, I'm gonna eat some serious crow for that comment if Toronto wins 2-1 or something. Habs have about 6 million to play with now that Markov is gone, plus what they already had in space. I'm curious what they'll do with it. The team is playing very well, but eventually Price will tire, or Hamrlik and Spacek won't be able to play 28 minutes a night. I'd really love to see them pick up a power forward. Although I'm sure every team would like to see their GM pick one up. But since... maybe John LeClaire, there hasn't really been that presence on the Habs. They've got the stingiest D in the league but also don't score very many goals. Which will be a problem at some point in the season or playoffs (See 2010 ECF vs Philly... *shudder*)

Salary cap to rise again, possibly by as much as 3 million... I know that everyone is aware that the system isn't perfect... far from it, but with the CBA coming up again in the not too distant future there might be some issues... notably that pre lockout the average salary was 1.8 million and now it's above 2 million. For the 16 teams losing money, there may be some issues. Not every market has the good fortune to be a Toronto, Chicago, New York or Montreal.

The biggest difference between the two teams tonight was that Montreal seemed to play as a team and for Toronto it was Kessel and Grabovski alternating going in 1 on 5 not even considering the idea of passing. Gustavsson certainly lived up to his nickname because even though he gave up 2, he was a total monster. He was the only reason it wasn't a complete blowout of a game. Overall excellent game to watch. I just can't help but feel that Toronto was playing as individuals almost the entire game. It seemed their D was looking for the highlight reel hit and their forwards were looking to play hero and make the TSN honour roll. When they supported each other they had great chances, but that was only for a few minutes in the 1st and 2nd period. Moving on from the game, The second I heard that Pat Burns had died, I called my mother. He was a complete inspiration of a man and a testament to hard work leading to success. It's a shame he didn't make the Hall before he passed because he deserved it.

There are few teams I really hate more than Philly. From trying to goon after they couldn't beat Price, to Powe throwing a hit that simply defines the blindside rule, to Pronger taking the game puck and finally having Mike Richards get upset and call out PK Subban for being too talented..erm sorry, cocky for his age. On the one hand, guys like Pronger and Richards are super talented. Obviously both were a part of Canada's gold medal last year and they've got the numbers to prove how good they are. But while we expect Pronger to act like a bitch when he loses, I don't understand why Richards is going after Subban... Should Subban not skate, hit, pass and shoot as well as he can? Is it not allowed to verbally spar with other players on the ice? The kid doesn't get intimidated by anything and I think that it's one of those qualities that I would say is excellent while he's on my team but a cocky asshole when he's not... but I'm a fan, not a team captain. Here's what Richards said after the game about Subban, I especially love the threat he lays down at the end of it... "He's (Subban) a guy that's come in the league and hasn't earned respect," Richards told the Team 990 radio station after the game. "It's just frustrating to see a young guy like that come in here and so much as think that he's better than a lot of people. You have to earn respect in this league. It takes a lot. You can't just come in here as a rookie and play like that. It's not the way to get respect from other players around the league. "Hopefully someone on their team addresses it, because, uh, I'm not saying I'm going to do it but something might happen to him of he continues to be that cocky." And Subban seemed to take the high road in his response... "I have lot of respect for the guys in this league and (Richards) is a player who has been around for a while," Subban told reporters on Wednesday. "He's won a (Olympic) gold medal, he's the captain of the Flyers, and he's a player I looked up to when I was still playing in Junior. I just try to play the game as hard as I can. I'm a rookie in this league and I'm just trying to go out there and earn my respect." So now next monday in Philly, it'll be the full goon show on display. Habs will likely get killed on the scoreboard and Subban will probably end up fighting. I would love to say against Mike Richards, but he's apparently not going to be the one to send his message. Oh yeah, something else happened last night, some sort of a 41 save shutout or something...

Gotta love the french press in Montreal. Markov hasn't even had a MRI yet and there's speculation of the injury being as severe as 1 year by the Journal de Montreal , but the journal is like the Toronto Sun only somehow actually worse of a paper. Many are suggesting 3 months, and there's a few holdouts for 4-6 weeks... Again... not even an MRI yet, they're still waiting for the swelling to subside and then Markov's specialist is in Cleveland... Habs to get pole axed by the Flyers tonight. Then Auld likely starts against the Preds beore round 2 against the Leafs... Speaking of, I think tonight the Leafs will win. Preds are pretty awful right now, it'll be a basement shootout at the ACC. Allan Walsh, agent of Miroslav Satan has apparently been talking up his client to Pierre Gauthier.... ew.

I think they should choose all the All-Stars, put all the forwards sticks in one pile, the D in another and the goalies in a third, all at center ice, and have one of the players just start tossing sticks to either side of the ice. Boom. Issue solved.

7-2 thrashing of the Hurricanes by the Habs, but RDS is reporting Andrei Markov is gone 3 months. Same knee as the one he injured and had surgery on this past spring. He'll be 33 this year. He's done. When he plays he's the best on our team, but this is getting ridiculous. When he got injured last season, people called him injury prone, I disagreed. He had sliced his tendon in a freak accident to start the year, that was hardly fair judgement. Now he's turning into Bobby Orr but not even a tenth of the talent. A guy like Orr (read: a generational player who falls into the what if category when talking about the greatest players... see also Bossy, M) you keep because he's the best. Markov, if out for 3 months, will either not be a Hab next season, or will have a pretty good salary reduction from the 5.75 he's currently making. I'm banking on a struggling team offering him the money he wants and taking a chance on his re-injuring. Markov missed 38 games last season, I believe 11 in the playoffs and 10 already this season, 3 months would be another 25-30 games... the only positive in this is that at least without Markov the Habs were 7-2-1 to start the year.... just effing cock. Why couldn't Gomez have eaten it, at least then we'd get serious cap relief and not lose a top tier player. Interesting yet meaningless factoid, Montreal is the only team to have not given up more than 3 regulation goals in a game this season. That changes once Philly comes to town and wipes the floor with us on tuesday. I know it's not his fault, because he hasn't been given great players to work with, but fuck it. Dump Wilson. 1-11 start to last season, in a 1-12 slide now. Imagine if Toronto had only started 2-1-1 instead of 4-0. They're better than their record says, maybe the coach has lost the room. How good is Stamkos. I believe that if he keeps up his torrid pace this season, it's not the Crosby-Ovechkin era, its the Crosby-Ovechkin-Stamkos era. He's a star. Also, as much as I hate his attitude, I think it's possible that Crosby is actually even better than previously thought. Last season he cracked 50 showing he can score almost as well as he can pass. This year even with a slow start for the Pens he's putting up huge points.

Habs managed to take down the 'Nucks the other night. I thought it was going to be a blowout considering the issues the Habs have with scoring and the Issues the Canucks have with not being able to stop scoring. It was an exciting game that's for sure, but in a 7 game series.... haha. Boston tonight, that'll be a tough matchup. Boston is outstanding this year, and their offense has been scary with gusts to monstrous. A win would be great, an OT/SO loss acceptable and a loss predictable. I think Wilson has to go. I know he's the coach and he's just doing the best with what he's given, but at the same time. He's possibly the worst special teams coach in the league. And by possibly I mean definitely. I know I'm saying this as the Habs have the worst PP in the league right now, but at least they have a top 5 PK, and I would not at all fool myself into thinking that the Habs can stay in the top half of the playoff picture with a 7% PP. Wilson's Leafs were the worst team on the PP and the PK last season, the last time that happened was about 15 years ago when Wilson coached the expansion Ducks. Special teams are way too important to be that awful at them. Maybe he doesn't need to go, but they definitely need to bring someone in to help work on that. I've heard so many times that if your PP and PK % added up are at or over 100, you know your team is going to be doing okay. Teams like TB, Boston and Vancouver are all well over 100. And they're also some of the better teams in the league. While Toronto is far from the worst team in the league, their combined total is only 87. Which is the worst in the league, and I think that reflects in their current tailspin. I'm not saying that they're doomed, but they need to do something, because in their last 11, they have the same record as their first 11 games last season.

Does anyone else feel like the issues teams have been having with attendance are bigger this season? I guess since teams like Nashville who are doing great, Isles who have exciting young players (albeit injured mostly) and Phoenix who had a 104 point season, since they're not drawing even when there's reasons to go see them... Is it just a case of people not caring in those cities?

It's pretty self evident. Asides from being hit by injury the last 2 seasons, he's consistantly one of the highest scoring defensemen, he QB's a Powerplay that has been top 5 in the league 4 of the last 5 years. He carried players like Sheldon Souray and Mike Komisarek, who aren't bad players, but would you justify their contracts now? How about the years they played with Markov. I'm not saying he's the best in the league, but in the eastern conference there aren't very many defensemen better. I'm sure if he hadn't gotten injured in the second round of the playoffs last year, they'd probably have taken care of the Penguins in 5 or 6. But seriously, get off your horse.

Well he played his 1000th game, he gets a silver stick for that, why not honour him? I think Boston might be fighting the Habs for most dickish fans after chanting "Thank you Kessel" after Seguin scored the 2nd goal last night. Habs going for 4 in a row tonight. They spanked the Islanders the other night and they have them again tonight, I wouldn't be expecting the same result. He's big, He's Bald and he's starting. Auld gets his first start ofthe year tonight, and tomorrow Andrei Markov is returning. He should help out our pitiful powerplay, and the pairing of Markov and Subban together gives me a boner. Probably the 3rd or 4th best defenseman in the East and P fucking K Subban. I'm going to be really upset if Montreal drops tonight and tomorrow's games. I don't know why, but I feel like they're due for back to back losses.

On four habs fans any time the line combination of Gionta Gomez and Cammalleri play together it is refered to as a Giant Mexican Squid.

Poor Souray. He gets loaned out to Hershey, not even the farm team the Oil Kings want him...

Man Leafs Nation is going to be calling for a cup this year after tonight if they pull off the expected and win against a very very depleted Habs roster... First period thoughts... Toronto scored both goals off taking advantage of the opportunities they got. Both were a lazy play from a defender and it resulted in 2 goals, if Toronto is going to have any success this year they're going to need to be that good at turning a turnover into a goal. Phaneuf has been a pylon.... Toronto hasn't been able to effectively handle the Montreal forecheck and it could lead to problems for the Leafs in the second... Montreal hasn't been able to connect on their passes. If they can play tighter they'll score some goals, because Toronto can't really handle the speed. Montreal's D needs to play a lot better, I understand that they're missing Markov and Hamrlik, but they're on the hook for sporting Toronto a 2-0 lead. Pretty good first overall, I was surprised that Montreal was doing the load of the hitting... Price has been good not great, Giguere hasn't had to face any shots because Montreal's forwards keep shanking their passes by a foot or two... Intrigued to see what happens in the second, it'll be a very important period for both teams. Second period thoughts... Montreal forechecked Toronto into the ice. Toronto to their credit blocked a huge amount of shots. A couple posts for the Habs, but all that means if the shooter needed to be more accurate. Toronto two of their penalties because they couldn't skate with the Habs forwards on that particular play. PK Subban seems nervous in his game, it isn't helping our depleted D. I called a Leafs win before the game, and I feel like Toronto will come out harder in the third and put in the back breaker in the first 5 minutes of the period. It never ceases to amaze me how empty the ACC is in the first few min of a period and how quiet it is throughout the game. I know it's all corporate in the lower bowl, but I'm sure teams like Montreal or Calgary have just as much corporate support and they're two of the best places to see a game... The ACC seems like it's marginally better than Atlanta... WOW! Giguere made the absolute difference in that game. Especially with the flurry at the end of the game, that was insane the saves he made on Gionta. I expected Montreal to lose a lot worse than this. Considering they largely outplayed Toronto for long stretches of the game. I'll accept it... I guess... Saturday night hopefully Hamrlik is back and Cammy is done his suspension.

The Toronto Sun is an awful paper as far as I'm concerned. So I think Toronto will take home a big win tonight. Montreal is missing 2 of their top D men, one of whom is amongst the best in the East. Their star sniper and their goalie has the flu. If Toronto can't win this game, I'd say pack it in for another year.

This was written by Corey Krakower at prosportsblogging.com and I thought it was effing hilarious. Anaheim Ducks: In cost cutting measures, rather than have the coaches drawing up set plays on tablet computers (like the Leafs), they are expected to use Ryan Getzlaf’s head. Atlanta Thrashers: Jeremy Roenick criticized Dustin Byfuglien as a defenseman, saying he could skate circles around him. Byfuglien took offense to that, and made Roenick cry by sending him a picture of his Stanley Cup ring. Boston Bruins: Boston has hired a full time masseuse in anticipation of expected neck problems incurred by their scouting staff having to look far down the standings to see how the Toronto Maple Leafs are doing. Buffalo Sabres: Management had a mix-up with their calendars and are probably unaware that the season is even starting. In fact, Darcy Regier is still waiting for July 1/free agency to start. Calgary Flames: It’s not clear how the Flames will do this year, mainly because Darryl Sutter is waiting to hear back on various trade proposals offered around the league, including Robyn Regehr and Miikka Kirpussof for Sheldon Souray and Nikolai Khabibulin; Jarome Iginla for Brian Rolston and Bryce Salvador; and Jay Bouwmeester and Mikael Backlund for Michal Roszival and Todd White. Carolina Hurricanes: Canes fans can expect to generate a lot more offense due to the expected emergence of some good young players, and Rod Brind’Amour retiring will result in fewer scoring chances being called offside due to his nose being over the blue line. Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Kane was asked for his opinion on the upcoming season; he didn’t answer other than angrily saying “I’m not giving you my 2 cents”. Colorado Avalanche: The Avalanche have vowed to be better defensively which will hopefully reduce Craig Anderson’s workload to a more respectable average of 45 shots against per game. Columbus Blue Jackets: The excitement is back in Columbus as prized young goaltender Steve Mason should be well rested after taking last year off. Dallas Stars: There was an awkward moment between GM Joe Nieuwendyk and owner Tom Hicks which almost resulted in Nieuwendyk getting fired. Hicks thought he was being mocked when Nieuwendyk told him “we are going to make the playoffs Tom, you can take that to the bank.” Detroit Red Wings: Fan support and attendance is supposed to be much better in Detroit this year due to the majority of their players buying tickets regularly for their wives, children and grand children. Edmonton Oilers: Sheldon Souray is the consensus public enemy number one among the people of Edmonton. It could be worse for Souray; he could still be expected to play in Edmonton. Florida Panthers: Win or lose, the Panthers will be loved in Miami by their loyal fan base, or as they’re more commonly known, “people who couldn’t get Miami Heat tickets”. Los Angeles Kings: Dean Lombardi is lucky that no one in LA cares about hockey, otherwise some fans may notice that the guy with the #17 Kovalchuk jersey shoots left and looks strangely like Alexei Ponikarovsky. Minnesota Wild: What’s the difference between Pat Burns and Minnesota’s playoff hopes? One was pronounced dead prematurely even though it is inevitable; the other was an NHL coach. Montreal Canadiens: Apparently, the real reason Halak was traded is because the Habs wanted to increase scoring this year, and what better way to do that than to have the players shooting against Carey Price in practice. Nashville Predators: Lots of optimism in Nashville. In 2007, they weren’t even close to getting out of the first round. In 2008 and 2010, they were kind of close to getting out of the first round. This year, the Preds are expected to take that next leap forward by pushing a first round series to a full 7 games before they lose. New Jersey Devils: GM Lou Lamoriello always appears serious but he does have a sense of humor. This year, instead of the PA announcer announcing that fans should remove their hats for the national anthems, he will now say “please circumvent your caps”. New York Islanders: Expectations are through the roof for this elite team, as Garth Snow enters year 5 of his 5-year rebuilding plan for the Islanders. New York Rangers: A new NHL rule stating that goaltenders are not allowed to shoot in shootouts assures fans that at the very least Marian Gaborik will be shooting ahead of Henrik Lundqvist. Ottawa Senators: In honor of the Save Spezza Rally over the summer, Jason Spezza will contemplate changing his number to 8, in order to commemorate the number of fans that showed up. Philadelphia Flyers: I had a good joke, but Chris Pronger stole it. Phoenix Coyotes: The bad news: Kyle Wellwood was released, depriving bloggers of jokes this year. The good news: by releasing him, the Coyotes will be able to sell tickets at a higher price and not have to discount seats in the lower bowl for having an obstructed view. Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins were relieved when the NHL and the Officials came to terms on a 4-year agreement. Just imagine how confused everyone in Pittsburgh would have been if unbiased replacement officials came in and started calling penalties on Sidney Crosby. San Jose Sharks: On a team full of passengers, it was encouraging to see guys like Thornton, Marleau and Pavelski step up in the playoffs and drive the bus for San Jose. Fortunately, Dany Heatley was not the one doing any of this so called driving. St. Louis Blues: The Blues are still laughing at the fact that Pierre Gauthier doesn’t understand the acronym LOL; for example – “Hey Pierre, I’ll trade you Eller and Schultz for Jaroslav Halak, LOL.” Tampa Bay Lightning: In an effort to build community relations, some teams send their players to deliver tickets to fans. The Lightning players don’t do that with the exception of Dan Ellis, who is a courier by day to earn extra cash. Toronto Maple Leafs: Looking to raise the bar for the players; Brian Burke has established a team goal for the season – the number of Leafs wins in 2010-11 should be greater than or equal to the number of assistant general managers. Vancouver Canucks: The Canucks expected big things from themselves, figuring they would win their division and be a Stanley Cup favorite this season. They immediately started to question that when Eklund projected the same thing. Washington Capitals: Washington has proposed a rule change that would see a playoff series being decided by the first team to win 3 games, not 4.

Friday, October 8 Minnesota @ Carolina San Jose @ Columbus Dallas @ New Jersey Anaheim @ Detroit Buffalo @ Ottawa Washington @ Atlanta Saturday, October 9 Phoenix @ Boston Columbus @ San Jose New York Rangers @ Buffalo Ottawa @ Toronto Dallas @ New York Islanders Montreal @ Pittsburgh New Jersey @ Washington Atlanta @ Tampa Bay Philadelphia @ St. Louis Anaheim @ Nashville Detroit @ Chicago Los Angeles @ Vancouver Sunday, October 10 Boston @ Phoenix Los Angeles @ Calgary Florida @ Edmonton

I have a question... Howard Berger wrote an article about Kelly Fraiser and his "botched call" (Gilmour said it came off a follow through, which isn't a penalty... Don't shoot the messenger on that) in the 93 playoffs. My question is do Leafs fans think that the 93 Leafs would have beaten the 93 Habs? I don't mean it as oh so you think you had a chance?! I'm simply quite curious. The 93 Leafs we as strong a team as any, Montreal had a good team that was playing way above it's talent level (like last season, but with much better results). The Kings went down in 5 and the Leafs and Kings went to 7. Had Gretzky gotten a penalty AND had Toronto scored on their PP opportunity (as it's not a given) then Toronto would have won in 6. To me this says that Toronto was as good, possibly better than LA. LA managed 1 win against the Habs, and got caught on an illegal stick call allowing the Habs to tie and win in OT. In this theoretical series, you'd have to imagine that any game that goes to OT will be won by the Habs, and that Felix Potvin is no Patrick Roy. But then again, the Habs didn't have a player who was as good as Gilmour, and while they had a good group D, they had no Wendel Clarke. Obviously I'd still call it a Habs cup as naturally I'm a fan, as well as how easily Montreal disposed of the Kings. But I'm curious what some of you think. It would have been the only meeting in the Playoffs for these two since the 67 final I believe, and it would have been one hell of a series either way.

You missed Thursday's games no?

If theres any sort of ps3 team happening, If I could get in on it I'm Mr_Bashdangles

Haha, see, Clawson knows me best. Seriously though, what the fuck came over Cammalleri there. I understand he took a bit of a blindside hit, but I hardly think that giving it to the guys face with your stick and then envoking the spirit of Bobby Clarke is an appropriate response. I somehow wish he escapes suspension if only because he's our best scorer and he would be sorely missed in the first game or 2 of the season that he'll likely miss. Also, the Marche Bleu in Quebec attracted by some estimates 60,000 people and by others 100,000 people. Either way it was a pretty huge rally. The Stasny brothers along with other notable former Nordiques were there. Apparently it was great fun. From what I understand, the new arena complex will cost 400 million, the province is kicking in 200 of that, with the city another 50. They want the federal government to kick in the difference as the main purpose of the complex besides trying to get an NHL team back is for the 2022 winter games bid (which god almighty I would go crazy having a 'lympics so close to my home). The feds kicked in untold millions for Toronto's multiple failed bids on the games, so I would assume it's only fair... 150 million however, I somehow feel is steep. I feel that the money should also come from local large businesses, like Quebecor media which owns the half of all media in Canada not owned by Canwest. Because as much as I would love to just have the feds give money to the city, 1) As much as Toronto is hated in the rest of Canada, there is no comparison to the venom people have for Quebec. and 2) Life isn't fair.