The OAO NHL 2003-2004 Season Thread

[the max 0]

I think that Luongo should be in consideration for the Hart, mostly because he's carried them to being as close as they are (which is a long shot, quite frankly) to the postseason. He has them smelling the playoffs, even with all of the crap that the Panthers have gone through this year (injuries, three coaches).

 

St. Louis is a definite candidate as well.

[CanadianChris 0]

I think that Luongo should be in consideration for the Hart, mostly because he's carried them to being as close as they are (which is a long shot, quite frankly) to the postseason. He has them smelling the playoffs, even with all of the crap that the Panthers have gone through this year (injuries, three coaches).

They will never give the Hart trophy to someone whose team misses the playoffs. Luongo's had a great season, and should definitely get Vezina consideration, but the Hart is out of the question.

 

My finalists at this point would be St. Louis, Sundin, and Naslund.

[Brush with Greatness 0]

Sundin could be considered a contender but in comparison to Iginla he falls short and I would give the nod to Iginla before Sundin. If Eddie had not missed so many games he would be up there (same goes for Kirpusoff). Naslund has had a good year and deserves a nod as well.

 

PLAYER TEAM POS GP G A P +/- PIM EV PP SH GW GT S S% TOI/g SFT/g FO

MATS SUNDIN TOR C 66 25 38 63 4 44 15 9 1 10 0 183 13.7 19:57 25.0 52.6

JAROME IGINLA CAL R 64 33 26 59 18 65 26 6 1 9 0 212 15.6 21:30 27.5 55.0

 

Basically, I would have it be

 

St. Louis

Iginla

Naslund/Luongo (depending on if/how close he gets them to the playoffs)

 

And when you say where would Florida be without Luongo, I would say battling it out with Pittsburgh for dead last would be an option (although more likely in the Chicago/Washington range). At least a 20 point difference in the standings though. There is a big difference between giving it to a guy like Lang (if he would have stayed with the Caps) who was putting up big numbers on a team that was doing nothing and a guy like Luongo who has a much less skilled team chasing a playoff spot.

 

With three games left against the Hurricanes and 2 against the Thrashers they could still have a legit shot, although admittedly the rest of their schedule is tough. They also have 10 homes games left (where they have a winning record) and only 5 on the road left. The Isles for comparison have 7 home games and 9 road games (and they are abysmal on the road).

 

Here are my ideal Eastern playoff standings and the matchups that would follow:

 

1. Tampa Bay

2. Boston

3. Philadelphia

4. Toronto

5. Ottawa

6. New Jersey

7. Montreal

8. Florida

 

The best part is that there as it is right now these standings are not all that far off.

 

That would lead to

 

Tampa Bay v. Florida

Boston v. Montreal

Philadelphia v. New Jersey

Toronto v. Ottawa

 

Best first round ever.

 

 

With how open the Eastern Conference is this year, a trade like this could catapult a team from the 5th seed and a tough first round matchup to the #2 or 3 seed and a much easier matchup.

 

So you would prefer to finish 3rd and take on the defending Cup champs or would you rather place 2nd and take on the same team that upset you last time you made the playoffs?

 

Hate to burst your bubble but jumping from 5th to 2nd or 3rd is not a guaranteed "much easier matchup".

[CanadianChris 0]

I'm hoping for:

 

1. Ottawa

2. Philadelphia

3. Tampa Bay

4. Toronto

5. Boston

6. New Jersey

7. Montreal

8. N.Y. Islanders

 

with the playoffs following like this:

 

Ottawa d. N.Y. Islanders

Montreal d. Philadelphia

Tampa Bay d. New Jersey

Toronto d. Boston

 

Ottawa d. Montreal

Toronto d. Tampa Bay

 

Conference final: Ottawa vs. Toronto

 

Even if Ottawa were to lose to Montreal, a Toronto/Montreal East final would rock as well.

[Brush with Greatness 0]

I think that Luongo should be in consideration for the Hart, mostly because he's carried them to being as close as they are (which is a long shot, quite frankly) to the postseason. He has them smelling the playoffs, even with all of the crap that the Panthers have gone through this year (injuries, three coaches).

They will never give the Hart trophy to someone whose team misses the playoffs. Luongo's had a great season, and should definitely get Vezina consideration, but the Hart is out of the question.

 

My finalists at this point would be St. Louis, Sundin, and Naslund.

So let me get this straight.

 

Jose Theodore, through his great goaltending, sneaks a much better team than the Florida Panthers are into the 2002 playoffs by 2 points and gets the Hart trophy as a result.

 

So if Luongo brings his Florida team, who are much worse than the Canadien squad, very close to a playoff spot that is not good enough even for a nomination?

[CanadianChris 0]

I think that Luongo should be in consideration for the Hart, mostly because he's carried them to being as close as they are (which is a long shot, quite frankly) to the postseason. He has them smelling the playoffs, even with all of the crap that the Panthers have gone through this year (injuries, three coaches).

They will never give the Hart trophy to someone whose team misses the playoffs. Luongo's had a great season, and should definitely get Vezina consideration, but the Hart is out of the question.

 

My finalists at this point would be St. Louis, Sundin, and Naslund.

So let me get this straight.

 

Jose Theodore, through his great goaltending, sneaks a much better team than the Florida Panthers are into the 2002 playoffs by 2 points and gets the Hart trophy as a result.

 

So if Luongo brings his Florida team, who are much worse than the Canadien squad, very close to a playoff spot that is not good enough even for a nomination?

I'm not saying he's not good enough for a nomination. I'm saying his team isn't good enough to get him a nomination. If the Panthers can sneak into the playoffs, then I'd probably give him the trophy on the spot.

[Red Baron 0]

Granato is not leaving Colorado, or getting replaced by Quenville anytime soon.

[nl5xsk1 0]

With how open the Eastern Conference is this year, a trade like this could catapult a team from the 5th seed and a tough first round matchup to the #2 or 3 seed and a much easier matchup.

 

So you would prefer to finish 3rd and take on the defending Cup champs or would you rather place 2nd and take on the same team that upset you last time you made the playoffs?

 

Hate to burst your bubble but jumping from 5th to 2nd or 3rd is not a guaranteed "much easier matchup".

Actually, my bubble is far from bursting ... If I was given the choice of playing the Leafs, the Devils, or the Habs in the first round, I'd prefer either Jersey or Montreal to Toronto, and it's not even close. I really would find either of those teams to be a much easier matchup.

 

Yes, the Bruins lost to the Devils in last year's playoffs, but the Bruins were barely above water when the playoffs started last year. They'd just fired Ftorek, and were going into the postseason with their GM behind the bench. They were a one line team that was easily stopped by Jersey's defensive strength (the Madden line as forwards and the Stevens pairing on D); this year Stevens isn't healthy enough to play, or isn't healthy enough to play at 100%, and the Bruins have more depth up front then they did last year. Even if they put their checking line on the Thornton line, the B's could counter with Samsonov, Bergeron and either Green or Lapointe. So, last year doesn't carry much weight in terms of being scared of the Devils this season.

 

The Canadiens did NOT beat the B's the last time Boston was in the postseason (see the Devils series referenced above) but did beat Boston two years ago. Again, though, it's an entirely different situation this year, as that was when Theodore was standing on his head (to the tune of a Vezina and Hart) and the Habs had just gotten Koivu back from cancer (which provided a spark). Furthermore, the B's had horrible defense and shaky goaltending that year, and in my opinion, were among the least deserving #1 seeds in recent history.

 

If Belfour can stay healthy, the Leafs are the team (out of these 3) that scare me, as a fan, the most. The Leafs are strong offensively (Sundin > anyone on Jersey or Montreal) and have good depth at the blue line (especially if Stevens is still banged up).

 

You ask if I'd prefer to be the #3 seed and face the defending Cup champs or the #2 seed and face the last team that upset the team, and I'd say the latter. Montreal would be a very winnable series for Boston (not guaranteeing a win, but saying that I'd like their chances)

[treble 0]

Even though I wanted Gonchar to end up on the Leafs, I guess I can take solace in the fact he didn't end up in Colorado, even though I am a little worried he's in Toronto's division now.

 

Boston's obviously a better team now than they were last year, or even the year before when they were the #1 seed (IMO, anyway). Ottawa's better with Bondra, Montreal's better with Kovalev (which, I think was the first trade that Gainey's made since he went to Montreal), and Tampa Bay's been playing great. Jersey's probably going to have problems if Stevens isn't back soon and if Rafalski's out for any amount of time with his leg injury (I'm not even sure, he could be back by now) as will the Isles if Peca and Yashin aren't 100%, not that Yashin's money in the playoffs, or anything, but that's a whole other story. Philly could have troubles, too, with their injuries.

 

I'd stay the Leafs have to stay healthy to get deep in the playoffs, but I think the pretty much only applies to Belfour, based on how they played when he was out vs. how they played during their streak a few months back when they seemed to be having someone get hurt every game yet kept winning. Hell, look at the '02 playoffs. Their defense is a little thin, but better than their usually given credit for. They can probably pick up someone from a team trying to shed payroll on the cheap in the next few days, so that should help. On that note, I really hope that Marchment isn't sitting much come playoff time, since he's the kind of guy that can make you keep your head up when you're crossing the blue line (not that I really condone the style of hockey he plays, but he does put that little bit of fear in your head that he's going to come and rip your leg off).

 

It's going to be really interesting to see which teams sell of their players at the deadline. I know Washington's gotten rid of the 4 guys they wanted to the most, but I figure Kolzig's still out there and I've heard rumours of Witt going somewhere, too (although I've mostly heard this on Toronto radio, so take it with a grain of salt). I also wonder how many Rangers are going to be leaving NYC.

[CanadianChris 0]

Another reason I'm sick of the "Athlete's Code":

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1749903

 

Three weeks ago Jeremy Roenick entertained the thought of retiring, but the Philadelphia Flyers center said Tuesday that he'll play again when healthy despite his family's strong desire to see him quit the game.

 

"I feel good. I am not going to retire," Roenick was quoted as saying in a Philadelphia Inquirer story published Wednesday.

 

Roenick sustained the ninth concussion of his career when he was struck in the face with a puck by a slap shot off the stick of New York Rangers defenseman Boris Mironov in a Feb. 14 game.

 

Roenick, 34, had surgery the following day to repair a broken jaw. The day after the procedure, he talked about retiring. He's not certain if he'll be able to play again this season. His face is much less swollen now and he has a deep scar that runs along his left jawbone.

 

"I had a couple of good days [this week] and, obviously, getting cleared by the doctor the other day is a big step for me," he told the Inquirer. "I am going to try and come back, get in shape, and see what happens."

 

Roenick boarded a flight from Phoenix to Philadelphia on Monday night to return to the team, but gave pause to his decision upon seeing his wife in tears and hearing family members urging him not to go.

 

"It was very hard to get on that plane, with my family and friends trying to keep me there," Roenick told the Inquirer. "But I belong here."

 

Roenick rode a bike Tuesday without experiencing headaches or dizziness.

 

According to the Inquirer, Roenick's father, Wally, said over the weekend that he tried to talk to his son about his playing future, but Jeremy wasn't returning his phone calls. Nine concussions have taken their toll and Jeremy should quit, his father said.

 

"I have had 90 percent of family and friends who want me to retire," Roenick told the Inquirer. "And it's not going to happen. But I came closer [to retirement] than any of you realize. Early Friday morning, there was no way I was ever playing again. But to a lot of people's disagreement, there is nothing wrong with my brain."

 

Tests have confirmed that Roenick has no damage to his brain.

 

Roenick, the team's second leading scorer at the time of his latest injury, has 18 goals and 27 assists in 57 games. The Flyers were in a four-way tie for the Eastern Conference lead heading into Wednesday's home game against Nashville.

[treble 0]

Just heard on the radio that the Rangers traded Nedved and Markennen (or however you spell it) to the Oilers. And the entire hockey world is upside down.

[treble 0]

And here's a link.

[Brush with Greatness 0]

With how open the Eastern Conference is this year, a trade like this could catapult a team from the 5th seed and a tough first round matchup to the #2 or 3 seed and a much easier matchup.

 

So you would prefer to finish 3rd and take on the defending Cup champs or would you rather place 2nd and take on the same team that upset you last time you made the playoffs?

 

Hate to burst your bubble but jumping from 5th to 2nd or 3rd is not a guaranteed "much easier matchup".

Actually, my bubble is far from bursting ... If I was given the choice of playing the Leafs, the Devils, or the Habs in the first round, I'd prefer either Jersey or Montreal to Toronto, and it's not even close. I really would find either of those teams to be a much easier matchup.

 

Yes, the Bruins lost to the Devils in last year's playoffs, but the Bruins were barely above water when the playoffs started last year. They'd just fired Ftorek, and were going into the postseason with their GM behind the bench. They were a one line team that was easily stopped by Jersey's defensive strength (the Madden line as forwards and the Stevens pairing on D); this year Stevens isn't healthy enough to play, or isn't healthy enough to play at 100%, and the Bruins have more depth up front then they did last year. Even if they put their checking line on the Thornton line, the B's could counter with Samsonov, Bergeron and either Green or Lapointe. So, last year doesn't carry much weight in terms of being scared of the Devils this season.

 

The Canadiens did NOT beat the B's the last time Boston was in the postseason (see the Devils series referenced above) but did beat Boston two years ago. Again, though, it's an entirely different situation this year, as that was when Theodore was standing on his head (to the tune of a Vezina and Hart) and the Habs had just gotten Koivu back from cancer (which provided a spark). Furthermore, the B's had horrible defense and shaky goaltending that year, and in my opinion, were among the least deserving #1 seeds in recent history.

 

If Belfour can stay healthy, the Leafs are the team (out of these 3) that scare me, as a fan, the most. The Leafs are strong offensively (Sundin > anyone on Jersey or Montreal) and have good depth at the blue line (especially if Stevens is still banged up).

 

You ask if I'd prefer to be the #3 seed and face the defending Cup champs or the #2 seed and face the last team that upset the team, and I'd say the latter. Montreal would be a very winnable series for Boston (not guaranteeing a win, but saying that I'd like their chances)

You do realize that the Canadiens are 6th in wins this season right? And that Jose Theodore, he hasn't been playing very good at all lately. Right.

 

And its funny how Byron Dafoe was considered this really good goalie until the Habs, who were fairly talented offensively lit him up, then he was considered shaky.

 

Oh yeah, their horrible defense that year:

 

Boynton

O'Donnell

Gill

Sweeney

McLaren

Brown

Norton

Rivers

 

This year:

 

Boynton (admittedly more mature but he was their best D against MTL anyways)

O'Donnell

Gill

Gonchar

Jillson

McGillis

Moran

Slegr

 

So three of the same guys, a few other guys that you constantly bitch about, a 4th forward, and a guy that the 'nucks gave away. So if in 2002 they were a horrible defense, what would you consider them now?

 

First through eighth, their is not going to be an easy matchup in the opening round. If #8 is the Isles, they can be pesky as hell and push any team to the limit. If its Florida, then that means they will have been pretty hot in the home stretch and I wouldn't want to face Luongo.

 

First through seventh could finish in any order (apart from T-Bay having a spot in the top three). I think if the Habs keep it up, then any team, be it Philly, Boston, T.O., N.J. or Ottawa could slide to 7th.

[Slovakia 0]

The Oilers are firesale RECIPIENTS? That's a new one

[Brush with Greatness 0]

Toronto Maple Leetch

 

Well, it sure didn't take long for the Leetch situation to play out once Gonchar was dealt. Toronto didn't give up much either.

[Red Baron 0]

Okay with Vezina and Hart trophies nominations, would Kiprusoff be a nomination for both awards, even though the games played is signifcantly less than most other starting goalies?

[Brush with Greatness 0]

And for those keeping score at home (of the more talented guys moved lately in the East):

 

Tampa Bay - Sydor

Toronto - Leetch

Philadelphia - Zhamnov, Burke

Ottawa - Bondra

Boston - Gonchar

New Jersey - Viktor Kozlov

Montreal - Kovalev

Islanders - none

[treble 0]

Yeah, I'm glad the Leafs didn't have to give up any top flight prospects to get Leetch.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

The Leafs got raped on that deal. They gave up a lot for a guy who is washed up, is prone to injuury, and most likely, won't be back next year. The Leafs are already an old team - and they went even older with Leetch. Big mistake - he won't help at all. Gonchar would have, but Leetch won't. They still need to make some more deals before they can beat the Sens, Flyers, Devils, or even Bruins or Lightening right now. The East is stacked, and the Leafs are going to plummet as their older stars wear down. Look out for Belfour - he needs to stay healthy - pick up Dafoe.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Islanders - none

And don't expect anything more. Long Island is a placeholder for the first round #1 seed, just like last year. They'll check in and out before we get deep into April.

[treble 0]

The Leafs didn't get raped. They gave up 2 prospects, who weren't even their top ones, and 2 draft picks to get a good defenceman who's a proven playoff performer. They tried to get Gonchar, but they probably would have had to give up Stajan to do that and they didn't want to. The fact that they get a good player without giving up anyone on their roster is good enough for me.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

Man, these "1st round, 2nd round, and prospect" for one player trades seem really bad. I understand with Gonchar...if he sticks around, he'll be an asset for years. But Leetch? He'll probably retire if the lockout happens.

 

This isn't quite as dumb as giving up a 1st and 2nd in the NFL...but it's still seems dumb. Hey, who knows though. If Leetch and the Leafs hoist the cup at the end of the year, I guess it'll be worth it.

[DerangedHermit 0]

God damn the Rangers. Kovy's gone (OK), Leetch's gone (sad trade) and they trade Nedved and Markkanen to the Oilers. I see it's a salary dump but it pains me to see Leetch play in a god awful Leafs jersey.

 

Meh.....they had to do it. I just don't want to see Mess in an Isles jersey.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I'm afraid to see "Mark Messier to the Nashville Predators for a third-round draft pick and minor-league player to be named later."

 

Pray, hockey fans. Pray.

[treble 0]

I wouldn't mind seeing Messier get traded, preferably to someone in the West. He'd be a good guy to have in the dressing room, especially for a young team.

[DerangedHermit 0]

I wouldn't mind seeing Messier get traded, preferably to someone in the West. He'd be a good guy to have in the dressing room, especially for a young team.

I'd want to see Mess finish out the season with the Rangers and retire but stay on in NY as their coach or an assistant coach.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I wouldn't mind seeing Messier get traded, preferably to someone in the West

but NOT THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS!!! GREAT SCOTT NO!

[Guest Bottled Black]

I wouldn't mind seeing Messier get traded, preferably to someone in the West.  He'd be a good guy to have in the dressing room, especially for a young team.

I'd want to see Mess finish out the season with the Rangers and retire but stay on in NY as their coach or an assistant coach.

I'm with you Hermit, he needs to retire. As far as Leetch goes its a sad day for Ranger fans. The man was the Rangers for 17 seasons. I now am officially rooting for the Leafs to win the Cup.

[DerangedHermit 0]

I wouldn't mind seeing Messier get traded, preferably to someone in the West

but NOT THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS!!! GREAT SCOTT NO!

 

And not the Canucks either....

[treble 0]

I'd like to see Calgary get him.