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The Tops With A Twist
by Paul on 08/28/07 at 08:25 AM ET
Comments (187)
In my NHL.com blog today, I choose players who fit in some categories I have come up with.
It is a spinoff of the recent Top 50 Players most of us have read.
added 5:31pm, A reader just submitted a whole new set of categories…
Some new groups for fun…
Best chance of 07 draft to play this year :
Team with best turn around chance this year :
Team with biggest fall from grace compared to last year :
Best mix of old / young on the teams roster :
Team with best chance in three years using current rosters (active and “in-system” players included)
Most ineffective free agent, that was thought to have been a great addition :
Filed in: NHL Talk, Hockey Bloggers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
Best Shutdown Centre: Samuel Pahlsson
Just ask Spezza, Sakic or anyone else who has lined up against him.
Great on faceoffs, pk and matching up against opposing teams top line.
Posted by Lamont from Canada on 08/28/07 at 11:07 AM ET
Darrell, The conferences played no decision in my choices.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/28/07 at 11:14 AM ET
The Go-to-guy: Jarome Iginla does it all leads the team, scores and sets up the big goals, is willing to fight to get the team going all around player
Posted by Andrew from Windsor on 08/28/07 at 11:15 AM ET
How did you get San Jose fans?
They booed the Canadian national anthem two years ago and did you see what Edmonton did to respond.
Edmonton fans are classier and stand by their team through the good and the bad. My vote: Edmonton for home crowd.
Posted by Robert from Canada on 08/28/07 at 11:18 AM ET
Hardest Hitter: Raffi Torres. He stands ‘em up, and sits ‘em down.
Under Your Skin Guy: Darcy Tucker the one and only.
Biggest Impact on New Team: Sheldon Souray will revitalize last seasons lack of offense from the “D” in Edmonton. Michael Nylander will see his stock rise centering a line with Ovechkin, Washington can only get better and better.
Best Face off Man: Yanic Perrault, the natural pick, but paired with Hossa it should be just that much more exciting.
Posted by Jaywho? on 08/28/07 at 11:24 AM ET
San Jose? How about Hockey Town…
Posted by Erik on 08/28/07 at 11:27 AM ET
The Buffalo Sabres definatly have the best fans. on the road or at home. The fans have stuck with them through the good and the bad. And lindy ruff is definatly the best coach. last season he had 8 players pulled up from the Ahl and we still won all the games with them on the team. how many other coaches do you know could do that?
Posted by Kaitlyn from Buffalo, NY on 08/28/07 at 11:33 AM ET
Philadelphia - best fans in hockey
What other team’s fans are crazy enough to fight Tie Domi?
Posted by Matt from Philadelphia, PA on 08/28/07 at 11:34 AM ET
Erik, not anymore! The Joe needs a breath of fresh air.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/28/07 at 11:37 AM ET
Loudest fans San Jose?!?!? You’re on crack!!! Even the NHL players voted Philly number 1 and Calgary number 2, you ever been to “The Sea Of Red” ? Blows San Jose out of the water I bet!!
Posted by Brian from Calgary on 08/28/07 at 11:37 AM ET
Brain, Really, I am not on crack! Plus I did not say the loudest- The title of the category was Home Crowd.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/28/07 at 11:39 AM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Datsyuk
One-on-One Defenseman: Phaneuf
Assist Man: Crosby.
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin.
Power Play Specialist: Kovalchuck.
Shorthanded Specialist: Sami Pahlsson
Need One Save: Luongo
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Jannik Hansen.
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Souray for Edmonton because they need a scoring defensemen
When it Gets Chippy: Boogaard
Coach for a must-win game: Alain Vigneault
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery.
Home Crowd: Calgary
Posted by Trevor from BC on 08/28/07 at 11:47 AM ET
The Best NHL Owner : Bill Wirtz, again refusing to air any home games on TV. Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the NHL & he won’t show his product for free. The NHL is dead in Chicago!
Posted by Tim from Chicago on 08/28/07 at 11:47 AM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Alexander Ovechkin
One-on-One Defenseman: Chris Pronger
Assist Man: Peter Forsberg
Pure Goal Scorer: Dany Heatley
Power Play Specialist: Kovalchuck
Shorthanded Specialist: Jordan Staal, this guy is more dangerous shorthanded than most players are on a power play. Look for him on a breakaway, oh man.. beautiful.
Need One Save: Martin Brodeur.
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Drew Stafford, Buffalo is gonna need him this season.
Biggest Impact on by a rookie: Nicklas Backstrom, if he manages to bring his skills to the next level in the NHL he will be the playmaker that Washington needs to get to the play-offs.
Biggest inpact on his new team: Ryan Smith… no surprises here
Coach for a must-win game: I don’t get why you would pick a guy with emotion, when you need to win you need the players to focus and calm down. I would say Bengt-Åke Gustafsson, Swedish national team coach. He managed to bring home two golds last year, a feat that has never been done before.
Under Your Skin Guy: Jarkko Ruutu
Posted by Visf from Sweden on 08/28/07 at 11:52 AM ET
hardest hitter : mike komisarek
surprise impact : chris higgins
under your skin: any ruutu to ever play in the NHL
one on one FW:gaborik
one on one D:phaneuf
best coach:maurice
assist man : crosby
need on save:backstrom or lundqvist
pk specialist: pahlsson
most feared shot:souray
Most hated:avery
Posted by slyownzall from Ottawa, Ontario on 08/28/07 at 11:59 AM ET
Best ‘just scored a goal’ facial expression: Zach Parise
Posted by Jill from USA on 08/28/07 at 12:01 PM ET
First of all, Paul, thanks for the nod to the San Jose fans. And with regards to the anthem-booing incident, every Sharks fan I’ve talked to was embarrassed about it, and felt it was out of character.
Blows San Jose out of the water I bet!!
That’s the problem with these kinds of lists. How many people have actually been to more than a couple different club’s home games?
For that matter, how many fans actually pay that much attention to the other teams, particularly their unheralded or young players? You know your guys, and they’re great. The other guys? Not so much. It’s really only in a playoff series that you get a chance to see the other team up close for an extended period, and start to notice some of the non-stars.
Posted by Ian from San Francisco on 08/28/07 at 12:05 PM ET
Ian, these lists are always a personal opinion but I did honestly try to make the best choice avaiable.
I thought it would be a good time to get the names out early, before the season started and just get some conversation going.
So far, it looks like a success.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/28/07 at 12:09 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Ovechkin
One-on-One Defenseman: Pronger
Assist Man: Forsberg
Pure Goal Scorer: Heatly
Power Play Specialist: Kovalchuck.
Shorthanded Specialist: Sami Phlsson
Need One Save: Luongo
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Ian White
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Briere is the center that could spark Gagne and they could be a serious force in the NHL
When it Gets Chippy: Boogard
Coach for a must-win game: Maurice
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery.
Home Crowd: Toronto
Posted by Justin from Toronto, Ontario on 08/28/07 at 12:15 PM ET
by far the best crowd is montreal. San jose is southern city no one care about hockey.Im surprised you didnt say like edmontn or some canadian team
Posted by johnny from montreal on 08/28/07 at 12:16 PM ET
Now I’m not a Leafs fan, nor have I been to a Leafs game but any team that can sell out every home game no matter how good or bad they’re playing has got to have a pretty good home crowd. Best Home Crowd should go to TO, hands down.
Posted by Chris from Ottawa on 08/28/07 at 12:18 PM ET
Best one-on-one offensive player—Vincent Lecavalier, with that long reach, its hard to get him off the puck.
Best one-on-one defenseman—I’ll go with your pick, Dion Phaneuf.
Assist man—Sidney Crosby. Without a doubt the best passer in the game.
Best pure goal scorer—“Where have you gone Brett Hull?” Brett had a wicked one-timer, but you can’t say best pure goal scorer without including Mario Lemieux. As for today, my choice is also Alexander Ovechkin.
Power-play specialist—My power play specialist would have to be Jaromir Jagr. I don’t think anyone sees the ice on a power-play like JJ.
Shorthanded specialist—Rod Brind’Amour, not only can he put up some points short-handed, but he’s one heck of a penalty-killer.
Need one save—Martin Brodeur.
When it gets chippy—George Laraque.
Get under your skin guy—Tossup, Avery or Ruutu.
Posted by Char Bell from Brookline, MA on 08/28/07 at 12:32 PM ET
johnny from Montreal -
Don’t be silly. San Jose has had some serious sellout streaks during the worst of times with the franchise. The old Cow Palace was nerve-wracking for road players to play in back in the early days (my how quickly we forget that), and the new arena has an imposing atmosphere. Montreal’s fans or their arena haven’t been a force to reckon with in eons. I’m consistently impressed at San Jose’s fanbase and their support, considering the team has never won anything.
CGY and EDM have cases as well (VAN not so much), but I still think SJ is a more than appropriate pick.
Posted by Primis from Michigan on 08/28/07 at 12:37 PM ET
one on one offensive:
have you seen crosby skate?
one on one defenseman:
agree… who wants to go one on one with phaneuf?
assist man:
crosby for sure!
pure goal scorer:
ovechkin but watch out for iginla this year!
pp specialist:
joe sakic! hands down!
shorthanded specialist:
chris higgins.... watch out he’ll lead the league in short handers this year!
one save:
how could you possibly put anyone but brodeur here!
honestly there’s no argument for anyone else but him!
never heard of:
Andrei Kostitsyn! breakout this year
biggest impact new team:
brier will help turn philly’s fortunes!
coach
give me pat burns anyday!
grit
Mike Komisarek
croud
hands down the best fans and experience in montreal!
Posted by josh from kitchener on 08/28/07 at 12:42 PM ET
Best one-on-one offensive player: Anze Kopitar, as a rookie in his first game he burned one of the biggest and best defensemen in the league (Pronger).
Best one-on-one defenseman: Pronger, He hits hard (elbows included), has a long reach, and carries a heavy shot from the point (on the offensive side).
Assist man: Crosby for sure, that kid is amazing.
Best pure goal scorer: This is tough because I don’t get to see much of the Eastern Conference. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Demitra.
Power-play specialist- Scott Niedermayer, not only a strong defenseman, but he moves the puck well and can draw in the defense.
Shorthanded specialist- St. Louis, he is quick and gets things going.
Need one save- Luongo, even without a strong defense, he still keeps you in the game.
Biggest impact on a new team- Souray is going to help a struggling Edmonton team back to their skates.
When it gets chippy- I have a few here that I will put at even: Boogard, Ivanans, and possibly Parros.
Get under your skin guy- Avery, I wish the Kings didn’t have to get rid of the guy.
Posted by Nick from Los Angeles, CA, USA on 08/28/07 at 12:48 PM ET
Hello Luongo is the goalie every team in this league wishes is going to put on their jersey instead of Van
Posted by Jonny Canuck from van on 08/28/07 at 12:52 PM ET
Just wanted to say, I agree with you 100%. I couldn’t agree more on everything you said about every player. Glad to see someone sees the talents the Russian players bring to the league and don’t just pick a Canadian counter part over them.
oh yeah and Go Wings
Posted by Paul is Right on 08/28/07 at 12:53 PM ET
Best one-on-one offensive player--Erik Cole, he’s to fast and strong for any one person to handle
Best one-on-one defenseman--Scott Niedermayer
Assist man--Sidney Crosby, without a doubt
Best pure goal scorer--Alexander Ovechkin
Power-play specialist--Ray Whitney
Shorthanded specialist--Rod Brind’Amour
Need one save--Martin Brodeur
When it gets chippy--Cam Jassen
Get under your skin guy--Sean Avery
Posted by CHRIS from RALEIGH NC on 08/28/07 at 12:53 PM ET
Best two way center - Lankow
Best expresion after scoring - Sean Donovan
Fastest off the line - Gaborik
Least likley to cry - Tucker
Most likley to cry - Oilers fans
Best break out pass - Neidermyer
Biggest impact on new team - Breire
Most injury prone - Forsberg
Best new line - Ovechkin - Nylander - Semin
Close seccond - Vanek - Conolly - Afinaganov
Toghest goalie - Emrey
Calmest - Kipprusoff
Crazyest - Mclennen
Posted by Mike from Calgary from Calgary on 08/28/07 at 12:56 PM ET
Best fans? Buffalo fans are asshats that don’t know how to behave in someone else’s house. There are no fans in Toronto, only corporate seatholders. They pay absolutely no attention to the game until they hear the goal horn, then they jump up and cheer. As they’re sitting back down, they ask their neighbor, ‘Who scored that?’ Best fans (besides my bias toward Tampa fans?) Montreal, hands down.
Best all-around player in the league today - Vinny Lecavalier.
Best one-on-one D-man? Phaneuf for sure. When he hits hard, the opposing player’s breath rushes out in a sound that is eerily similar to Dion’s last name.
Posted by Cleo from Tampa, FL on 08/28/07 at 01:00 PM ET
I’ve been to Games all around north america, and there is absolutely no arena that even compares to the loudness and craziness of The bell Center during a Montreal Game
Posted by Mosa from Montreal, Quebec on 08/28/07 at 01:01 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Martin Havlat
One-on-One Defenseman: Dion Phaneuff
Assist Man: Thorton
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin.
Power Play Specialist: Weight/kariya.
Shorthanded Specialist: Martin St. Louis
Need One Save: Brodeur
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Patrik Berglund
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Kariya
When it Gets Chippy: CAM JANSSEN!
Coach for a must-win game: Quenville
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery.
Home Crowd:St. Louis.
Posted by Chris from St. Louis on 08/28/07 at 01:03 PM ET
One on One forward: Pavel Datsyuk has some of the best moves I’ve never seen. But Alexander Ovechkin’s more of a physical presence; he has the ability to either deke past or overpower, both with relative ease.
One on One defenseman: Chris Pronger is still the best shut-down defenseman in the game. He’s huge, he’s smart, and he’s pretty light on his feet. If Zdeno Chara was faster, he’d win this one hands-down...he’s just terrifying.
Assist: Joe Thornton. Crosby’s too driven and fiery to be as unselfish as big Joe. The only way I can justify this is by pointing out that Thornton made Johnathan Cheechoo a 50+ goal scorer a couple years ago. Thornton sniffs out an open teammate like few in the game...ever.
Pure Goal Scorer: Alexander Ovechkin is head and shoulders above the competition. GET HIM SOME HELP IN D.C.!!!
Powerplay: Kovalchuk’s about right. I mean, after so many shots, one or two are bound to go in.
Shorthanded Specialist: Let’s keep the emphasis on defense for the penalty kill. Rod Brind’Amour is the guy I want taking a faceoff and defending while shorthanded. He’s a workhorse.
Need one save: Will someone give J.S. Giguere some love? Anyone? Yeah, me neither. Brodeur.
Name you’ve never heard of: Mike Richards of the Flyers is a complete (yet unrefined) player. Give him some time, and he’ll be a captain somewhere down the line.
Biggest impact on a new team: Please, please let it be Daniel Briere. He’s got leadership qualities and he’s fast. Pair him up with Gagne and Knuble and you have a fairly balanced line.
When it gets chippy: Derek Boogard is the premiere tough guy...only because they were forced to take Tie Domi to the dog pound.
Coach for a Must-Win game: Tortorella’s a leader, but I would NOT want to meet Lindy Ruff after a loss.
Home Crowd: Give Flyers fans a reason to cheer and an opponent to boo.
Posted by Keezer from NC on 08/28/07 at 01:04 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Marek Svatos
One-on-One Defenseman: Rob Blake
Assist Man: Joe Sakic
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin
Power Play Specialist: Joe Sakic
Shorthanded Specialist: Adam Foote
Need One Save: Brodeur
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Chris Stewart
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Briere - Flyers
When it Gets Chippy: George “porn stache” parros
Coach for a must-win game: Pat Burns
Under Your Skin Guy: Ian Laperriere
Home Crowd: Calgary
Posted by avsfan from canada on 08/28/07 at 01:18 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Pavel Datsiuk
One-on-One Defenseman: Andrej Meszaros
Assist Man: Crosby.
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin.
Power Play Specialist: Kovalchuck.
Shorthanded Specialist: Martin St. Louis
Need One Save: Carey Price ... he may not have the Nhl experience ... but he’s gonna be a hell of a goalie
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Sergei Kostystin
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Sheldon Souray on the Edmonton Oilers
When it Gets Chippy: Sheldon Souray
Coach for a must-win game: Lindy Ruff
Under Your Skin Guy: Sean Avery.
Home Crowd: Where else ??? MONTREAL FAN 4 LIFE ... Bell Center .. the best place for hockey ... right after ... the air canada center
Posted by alex from Montreal on 08/28/07 at 01:22 PM ET
Most intimidating offensive player - jaromir jagr
Posted by tom from new jersey on 08/28/07 at 01:26 PM ET
One on one offensive player: Datsyuk
One on one defensive player; Nick Lidstrom
Assist Man: toss up between Joe Thorton and Sidney Crosby
Pure goal scorer: Alexander Ovechkin
Power Play specialist: Henrik Zetterberg
Shorthanded Specialist: Jordan Stall
Need one save: Roberto Luongo
Guy you have never heard of: Jakub Kindl
Biggest impact on a new team: Daniel Briere Flyers
When it gets chippy: Danny Markov (the hit on Stoll)
Under your skin: Sean Avery
Home crowd: THE JOE BABY!!!!!!! GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Nick H. from Canton, MI on 08/28/07 at 01:34 PM ET
Biggest offseason losses: The Wings lost their whole second line plus 2 d-men. Rafalski should be a good replacement for schneider GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Nick H. from Canton, MI on 08/28/07 at 01:38 PM ET
Best when it gets chippy? How about Godard who beat the seemingly infamous boogard twice last year.
Best fans I would give it to Calgary too, and best goalie when you need one save, brodure for sure. Come on now the guy just won another vezina, broke the record for wins in a season last year, and posted a league leading 12 shutouts. Honestly now, Turco has yet to win anything and will never come close to the stats Brodure has put up. By far most clutch goalie yo have played in the NHL second only to maybe Roy whos records Brodure will break before he retires.
Posted by mark on 08/28/07 at 01:50 PM ET
one on one offensive : havlat
one on one defensive : souray
assists : crosby
pure goals : ovechkin
pps : sedin twins
shs : pahlsson
save : luongo
never hear of til now : my son, he’s two, LOL!
newest player with impact : ryan smith
chippy handler : peca
coach : Brent Sutter can win anywhere
makes my skin crawl : SA, I can’t even write his name
home crowd : montreal, for better or worse
best captain : iginla
best trash talker : barnaby
my fave team is Ottawa.
Posted by sheplays2 from Canada on 08/28/07 at 01:55 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Todd Bertuzzi- Not going to find a bigger stronger guy with softer hands then Bertuzzi.
One-on-One Defenseman: Chris Pronger- Fills fear in skaters going against him.
Assist Man: Joe Thornton- Crosby might have some very good passing skills but it takes 2 defenceman to handle Joe, leaving Cheecho wide open.
Pure Goal Scorer: Martin St. Louis- He’s got it all. Blinding speed, lightning quick hands, a bullet accurate shot, and for a small guy a very lethal reach.
Power Play Specialist: Ryan Smyth-Goalies hate having him him in front of the net, especially on the power play where he is able to tip in shots, pounce on rebounds, and blind the goalie on shots from the point.
Shorthanded Specialist: Micheal Peca- From blocking shots to scoring short handed. Hes hands down the best at it. Need to win a face off in your own zone to kill of a two man advantage, hes your man! Hes fearless and a crushing hitter.
Need One Save: Roberto Luongo- Carried a non playoff team to 3rd in the conference and to the second round of the playoffs.
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Justin Pogge. The next Patrick Roy in the making.
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Todd Bertuzzi- Wasn’t the first one signed since free agency, but with Andy McDonald, Ryan Getzlaf, Chris Pronger, Mathieu Schnieder, and Scott Neidermeyer (if he doesn’t retire)
Todd will once again be a dominating force in the NHL.
When it Gets Chippy: George Laraque- Heavy Weight Champion of the NHL right now.
Coach for a must-win game: Paul Maurice or Daryll Sutter
Their style of play is the BEST when comes down to winning any game.
Under Your Skin Guy: Darcy Tucker- Sean Avery is just hated by a lot of people because of his comments. But Darcy actually gets under your skin during the game because of the way he plays and the way he competes on a night to night basis.
Home Crowd: IS THAT EVEN A QUESTION?
Because if it is, its one the stupidest questions i have ever heard. OBVIOUSLY TORONTO HAS THE BEST HOME CROWD. EVEN THE SENZ NO THAT!!!
Posted by Prabhjot Grewal from Toronto on 08/28/07 at 02:09 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Alexander Ovechkin
One-on-One Defenseman: Chris Pronger
Assist Man: Sidney Crosby.
Pure Goal Scorer: Dany Heatley.
Power Play Specialist: Niklas Lidstrom
Shorthanded Specialist: Marty St. Louis
Need One Save: Martin Brodeur - hands down
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Jeff Giuliano
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Daniel Briere - Buffalo should not have let him get away.
When it Gets Chippy: George Laraque (easy choice)
Coach for a must-win game: Marc Crawford
Under Your Skin Guy: Sean Avery (can’t stand him)
Home Crowd: Calgary Flames
Posted by Kevin from Canada on 08/28/07 at 02:11 PM ET
Some great subimssion folks. Very good job Prabhjot Grewal!
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/28/07 at 02:15 PM ET
Sheldon souray for best D one-on-one? u serious
1 on 1 offensive - Malkin...devils game,
1 on 1 defensive - Pronger/phaneuf
Assist - Thornton
Goal Scorer - Ovechkin
Power Play - Lidstrom
Short Handed - St. Louis
Save - Luongo-Brodeur-Truco-Lundqvist
Name youve never heard of - Ryan Shannon(Canucks)
Impact - Drury-Rangers have the talent, need the leader
Hitter/Trash talker - Darcy Tucker
Home Crowd - Montreal
Captain - Chara-will stand up for anyone
Uniforms - Canadiens or Red Wings
Posted by Gus from NYC on 08/28/07 at 02:19 PM ET
Under your skin: Maltby.
When it gets chippy: Cleary.
Just one save: Nick Lidstrom.
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 08/28/07 at 02:20 PM ET
Gus, great idea bringing the uniform in… I won’t complain about your choices.
Cementslinger, Wings fans will remember that save!
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/28/07 at 02:21 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Datsyuk
One-on-One Defenseman: Niedermayer
Assist Man: Crosby.
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin.
Power Play Specialist: Souray
Shorthanded Specialist: Chris Higgins
Need One Save: BRODEUR
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Janssen
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Briere
When it Gets Chippy: Pronger
Coach for a must-win game: Alain Vigneault
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery
Home Crowd: Olay Montreal
Posted by Mathew Rutledge from Belle River, ON, Canada on 08/28/07 at 02:26 PM ET
one save - Kiprusoff he carries calgary year after year
Posted by Matt from PA on 08/28/07 at 02:31 PM ET
San Jose? Are you kidding? I can name at least six better cities… any guesses?
Posted by Blaine from Calgary on 08/28/07 at 02:32 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Maxim Afinogenov
One-on-One Defenseman: Chris Pronger
Assist Man: Marc Savard
Pure Goal scorer: Dany Heatley
Power Play specialist: Ilya Kovalchuk
Shorthanded Specialist: Kris Draper
Need One Save: Roberto Luongo
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Nikolai Kulemin
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Jason Blake, help the leafs make the playoffs
When it Gets Chippy: Donald Brashear
Coach for a must-win game: Lindy Ruff
Under Your Skin Guy: Darcy Tucker, Hands down!
Home Crowd: Toronto Maple Leafs, there is no hockey in the states!
Posted by Japjot Grewal from Toronto on 08/28/07 at 02:32 PM ET
Good choices but for two I think I have better. First, biggest impact on a new team will be Daniel Briere for the Flyers. Second, there is no way you can beat the Buffalo hometown crowd. 18,000+ inside, 12,000+ outside sound familier?
Posted by Mike P from Phoenix, AZ on 08/28/07 at 02:35 PM ET
who skates like donald duck? answer - Jaromir Jagr. of course without puck.
Posted by gejza from nyc on 08/28/07 at 02:36 PM ET
Personally For biggest ongoing crowd i would go for Montreal fans. Loudest crowd in the whole nhl, whether its season or playoffs. Games are always sold out at tthe beginning of the year.
Posted by Greg on 08/28/07 at 02:39 PM ET
Yea, it sounds familiar Mike P.
Buffalo did have a very good building IN THE PLAYOFFS
But u havnt seen anything though
WAIT UNTIL THE LEAFZ make the playoffs
YOUR not going to see anything but BLUE AND WHITE
EVEN down in Pheonix!
GO LEAFZ GO!!!
Posted by Prabhjot Grewal from Toronto on 08/28/07 at 02:44 PM ET
One on one offesive player: Pavel Datsyuk
One on one defensive palyer: Andy Sutton
Assist man: Sidney Crossby
Pure goal scorer: Alexander Ovechkin
Clutch goal scorer: Chris Drury
Powerplay specialist: Jaromir Jagr
Ultimate team leader: Brendan Shannahan
Best goalie: Henrik Lundqvist
Get under your skin guy: Sean Avery
Short handed specialist: Jordan Staal
Best defensive forward: Jay Pandolfo
When it gets chippy: Cam Janssen
Shoot out specialist: Maxim Afinegenov
Home crowd: New York
Posted by Joe on 08/28/07 at 02:44 PM ET
Best one-on-one offensive player—Ales Hemsky.
Best one-on-one defenseman—Trevor Daley, not sure why.
Assist man—Marc Savard.
Best pure goal scorer—AO, no questions asked.
Power-play specialist—Sheldon Souray, not like he’ll ever be as good as he was last year.
Shorthanded specialist—John Madden.
Need one save—Jay McKee or Anton Volchenkov, they’ll do it just as good as any goalie.
The guy you never heard of—Eric Bogeneicki, he’ll probably never crack an NHL lineup for an extended period of time, but I’ve always been a fan of his speed
Smallest impact-- The ‘Breeze’ in Motreal.
When it gets chippy—I really want to say Dave Semenko, but I’ll go with Jamal Mayers, he’s probably the strongest player out there pound for pound.
Coach for a must-win game—I would try and resurrect Toe Blake, and when that doesn’t work, I’ll settle for “The Great One” any day.
Get under your skin guy—Sean Avery, or Jordan Tootoo.
The home crowd—The Quebec Colisée, nuff said.
Posted by Matthias (a Blues fan) from Nova Scotia on 08/28/07 at 02:49 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: briere & crosby
One-on-One Defenseman: dion phaneuf
Assist Man: spezza & crosby
Pure Goal scorer: Dany Heatley
Power Play specialist: thornton
Shorthanded Specialist: brad richards
Need One Save: Roberto Luongo
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: alexander tanguay (unheard of because he’s under-rated)
Biggest Impact on a New Team: ryan smyth & bertuzzi
When it Gets Chippy: McGratton
Coach for a must-win game: Lindy Ruff
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery
Home Crowd: philly & buffalo
Posted by jon from toronto on 08/28/07 at 02:50 PM ET
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Valtteri Filppula
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 08/28/07 at 03:01 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Alexander Ovechkin
One-on-One Defenseman: Niklas Lidstrom
Assist Man: Sidney Crosby
Pure Goal Scorer: Alexander Ovechkin
Power Play Specialist: Sidney Crosby
Shorthanded Specialist: Sami Pahlsson
Need One Save: Roberto Luongo - he’s quick as a cat (maybe even quicker), and if I need any NHL goalie to make the first save, it’s him.
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Mikhail Grabovsky - has speed, balance, and can stickhandle in a phone booth!
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Ryan Smyth in Colorado, as much as I hate to admit it. He’ll release some of the burden on Joe Sakic, and the two will lead the Avs back into the playoff picture.
When it Gets Chippy: Raitis Ivanans or Derek Boogaard
Coach for a must-win game: Randy Carlyle - he never let his team get complacent last season, and see the results.
Under Your Skin Guy: Sean Avery or Chris Neil
Home Crowd: Montreal (easy choice)
Posted by Fred from Ottawa on 08/28/07 at 03:14 PM ET
...I too am a Red Wings fan and see the world through that skewed red prism. Fair warning.
For anyone who disagrees that Datsyuk is the best one on one o-man
I nominate him for the best one on three o-man. It’s like an old silent movie watching three quaking opponents back into each other like bumbling idiots while Datsyuk gracefully does figure 8’s through them.
Best Deflector/Screener/Creaseman (other wise known as the Cicarelli award) - Thomas Holmstrom by a long shot. Anyone who disagrees hasn’t seen the man play enough.
Ultimate Warrior: Chelios
Funniest Accent: Hasek
Closest To achieving perfection: Nick Lidstrom
Most entertaing Mic’d Up player: Roenick by a long shot (at least until he retires)
Biggest A**Hole: Pronger
Star of The Future: Ryan Getzlaf
Surprising Career Revival: Dan Cleary
Best Captain: (the Stevie Y award) tough one - probably have to go with Sakic, but there’s some other great one’s.
Best Captain of the Future: Henrik Zetterberg
Worst Franchise: Blackhawks (What a joke: they should just relocate to Hamilton)
Best Franchise: (to prove my objectivity) The Canadians (but the Wings are sure catching up fast!!)
NHL badboy: Also a toss up - although I’m pretty sure I’d have to give it to Danton (sp?) the guy in prison for trying to kill his agent. That’s just next level. (he may not count because he didn’t play last year, but man, it had to be mentioned)
NHL sweetheart: oh that sid the kid is soooo cute. That’s why he’s the face of the NHL of course. I wonder if he has a date to the prom already…
Best Logo/Jersey: Red Wings hands down
Worst Logo/Jersey: Ducks (i warned you of my affiliation didn’t I) - just because they’re not “Mighty” anymore, doesn’t make them reek of Disney any less.... pretty lame.
Worst Commissioner: ______________________
...I could do this all day, so I’ll stop now.
Posted by Ryan from Chicago on 08/28/07 at 03:16 PM ET
hey Cleo from Tampa,
obviously you have never been to a leaf game. Pretty much every single person in that arena is a true hockey fan. Just because you have money and wear a suit doesn’t mean you dont love the game. Having sat in the greens for years I know for a fact that everyone is absolutley nitpicking the game from start to finish, to even suggest that someone would pay all that money to go see the leafs then only pay attention when someone scores is ridiculous.
Posted by Habs are yesterdays news from Mississauga on 08/28/07 at 03:50 PM ET
Best one-on one offensive player: Darren McCarty (Clinched 96 Stanley cup after undressing the flyerZ)
Best one-on-one defenceman: Wade Belak (Strong defender that can hold up opposong skaters and excellent shut down defenceman)
Assist man: Jim Vandermeer (Eagle like ice vision)
Pure goal scorer: Eric Daze ( If he were to play today he would be up there with Vini and Heatley for the goal scoring title)
Power play specialist: Jason Allison (excellent at setting up teammates from behind and around the net)
Short handed specialist: Alexander Daigle
Need one save: Remember Arthurs Irbe. Clutch performer
Guy you never heard of: Fukufuji . 1st Japanese goalie in the NHL
Biggest impact on new team: Karel Pilar on the Thrashers now. They need a quality defenceman like Pilar.
When it gets chippy: Bryan McCabe
Coach for a must-win: Claude Juliane (Never gets a chance to prove himself but is a very intelligent coach)
Under your skin guy: Ever heard of guys by the name of Chris Dingman and Peter Worrell.
Home Crowd: Toronto
Posted by Atinder Gill from Toronto on 08/28/07 at 03:51 PM ET
Best Assist Man: I’ll go with Joe Thornton. Both Cheechoo and Michalek relied heavily on Big Joe for their goals this last season. Too many of Crosby’s helpers are 2nd Assists for me to label him the top setup man (not that he’s very far down the list, mind you).
Posted by Forechecker from Nolensville, TN on 08/28/07 at 03:57 PM ET
I have to say,without a doubt...Calgary has the best home crowd.Tell me...which team in their right mind,would ever want to come into the Saddledome and expect to come away with an easy 2 points? Calgary fans are the loudest.The Flames have been selling out for the past few years, and their crowd provides a huge impact and lift for the team.
This one is a no-brainer...if in doubt,...find out from any player in the league.
Posted by Al from Regina on 08/28/07 at 04:01 PM ET
Need one Save:Luongo. It would have been Broduer because he will go down as the greatest ever but here and now Luongo is king of the crease.
Most Ready to Dominate: Ales Hemsky. He oozes skill and is looking for a linemate. Once that happens he will be on many yearly highlite reels. And he still just a kid at 24.
Biggest Impact on a new team: Sheldon Souray and Dustin Penner. The Oilers will suprise this year with these horses in the stables.
Get under your Skin:Matt Cooke I hate this little weasel so obviously he is doing his job.
the home crowd: Edmonton fans win hands down and any argument for other cities can be debated but they are the proudest and loudest. 16839 is one of the smallest rinks but still can out cheer and jeer 21000 seats.
Other then those changes you are pretty much bang on and great blog!!!
Posted by Aaron from Edmonton on 08/28/07 at 04:02 PM ET
Enough of the Redwing propaganda!
Need one save… how about 2 periods of saves for J.S. Giguerre?
One on one offense… Paul Kariya.
One on one defense… Pronger.
Gets under skin… anyone wearing a red sweater, but Holmstrom in particular.
Most like to see smashed into the boards… Mike Modano.
Posted by David from Southern California on 08/28/07 at 04:10 PM ET
one on one: crosby because taking on the habs 1 on 4 last season put him over the top
biggest impact: tied between ryan smyth and danny briere
home crowd: flyers fans all day, everyday
don’t really understand the san jose pick they are loud but they can’t hang with canadian teams or philly
i also nominate new jersey for the worst home crowd which will be even more nonexistent this year at the newark carjack and mugging center
Posted by Allan from Atlantic City on 08/28/07 at 04:16 PM ET
Once again Edmonton fans build up their team on no facts...only fiction. Look at team records last year.Where was Edmonton at home wins?...Now,...where was Calgary? The Flames had the best home record in the NHL,and alot of it was due to the fans!
You know what...things will even be better this year.
Posted by AL from Regina on 08/28/07 at 04:17 PM ET
A couple of other notes…
Assist man… Joe Thornton.
Home crowd… The Pepsi Center in Denver Rocks!
Grit… Corey Perry
Ugliest… Mike Ricci (sorry San Jose)
Posted by David from Southern California on 08/28/07 at 04:23 PM ET
Some new groups for fun…
Best chance of 07 draft to play this year :
Team with best turn around chance this year :
Team with biggest fall from grace compared to last year :
Best mix of old / young on the teams roster :
Team with best chance in three years using current rosters (active and “in-system” players included)
Most ineffective free agent, that was thought to have been a great addition :
Posted by Puckcrazy from Alaskan in Denver on 08/28/07 at 04:24 PM ET
Hey wait a minute David, didn’t Ricci play for the Avs too?
Good Stuff Puckcrazy....
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/28/07 at 04:25 PM ET
You are correct Paul, Ricci did play for the Avs… but that doesn’t make him any better looking. It also doesn’t make me an Avs fan.
Posted by David from Southern California on 08/28/07 at 04:28 PM ET
I am honestly convinced RYAN FROM CHICAGO is a total IDIOT and knows nothing about hockey. Let me tell u something. Red Wings might be a very good team but their fans are the most unloyal fans in the whole NHL. I see your Wing fans leaving the building, booing their own team if their about to loose a game. You guyz are a disgrace to hockey. Ryan you should come down to Toronto sometime and I can show you the ACC on season opener day and maybe talk some serious sense into your ignorant Red Wings brain. Us Leaf fans are the most loyal fans your ever going to find. The team could be dead last in the NHL we would still sell out every game because we LOVE and CARE about our team! And as far as the BEST franchise goes. How are the Redwingz catching up to montreal when Toronto has the best history and tradition in the NHL. We have the 2nd most Stanley Cups! Thomas Holmstrom might be very good around the net like you said but he isnt better than Bertuzzi or Smyth. And the only reason you hate Pronger is cuz he dominated u guyz in the playoffs and almost killed Holmstrom.
Posted by Prabhjot Grewal from Toronto on 08/28/07 at 04:30 PM ET
One thing about the folks who comment here at KK. The vast majority are very well-versed in the game and we don’t do the name calling thing.
Argue all you want, but the name calling will not be tolerated in any fashion.
Thanks for respecting this rule!
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/28/07 at 04:34 PM ET
Atinder Gill what are you talking about?
People do you actually think this is a solid opinion or just a JOKE?
Best one-on one offensive player: Darren McCarty (Clinched 96 Stanley cup after undressing the flyerZ)
Best one-on-one defenceman: Wade Belak (Strong defender that can hold up opposong skaters and excellent shut down defenceman)
Assist man: Jim Vandermeer (Eagle like ice vision)
SOME ONE PLZ RESPOND TO THIS
Pure goal scorer: Eric Daze ( If he were to play today he would be up there with Vini and Heatley for the goal scoring title)
Power play specialist: Jason Allison (excellent at setting up teammates from behind and around the net)
Short handed specialist: Alexander Daigle
Need one save: Remember Arthurs Irbe. Clutch performer
Guy you never heard of: Fukufuji . 1st Japanese goalie in the NHL
Biggest impact on new team: Karel Pilar on the Thrashers now. They need a quality defenceman like Pilar.
When it gets chippy: Bryan McCabe
Coach for a must-win: Claude Juliane (Never gets a chance to prove himself but is a very intelligent coach)
Under your skin guy: Ever heard of guys by the name of Chris Dingman and Peter Worrell
SOME ONE PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS
Posted by Hardip from Toronto on 08/28/07 at 04:48 PM ET
Good point Paul… but your forgetting one thing. Hockey fans and idiots seem to go hand in hand when they start thinking they’re better than the others around them.
And for the record folks… Booing another team for the most part, unless it’s warrented,is just disgraceful and poor sportsmanship. If the other teams your booing aren’t there you’d be sitting at home wishing there was a game being played in your hometown.
Posted by Puckcrazy from Alaskan in Denver on 08/28/07 at 04:50 PM ET
....yeah and wouldn’t I have to go UP to get to Toronto not DOWN. I am an idiot so I’m not sure if that’s correct or not. Where’s Toronto? In like Texas or Mexico or something…
The fact that you accept that your team could be last automatically makes you NOT the best franchise. Because your bred to clap your hands anytime there’s a puck present is irrelevant to true hockey appreciation. We boo losses because they are unacceptable… it has nothing to do with loyalty, it has to do with success and accepting nothing less. The point of games are to WIN not to try in the loudest building.
Secondly - Bertuzzi better than Holmstrom in front of the net????? I’m pretty sure you are the only one besides Bertuzzi’s agent who would make such a bold statement.
Thirdly - Pronger’s playoff “domination”, if you feel like he did that, has nothing to do with my distaste for him. His trying to kill Homer most definitely does.
Lastly - I plan on coming DOWN to Toronto to see the Wings game in Febuary.... how’s the weather in Texas at that time of year??
Posted by Ryan from Chicago on 08/28/07 at 04:56 PM ET
Crazy how many of you are taking Phaneuf for 1 on 1 Dman. I mean, he can hit hard, and has a great shot, but his defensive skills still have a ways to go. Hell, there’s even another Calgary player I’d take before him, Regehr, for a 1 on 1 contest.
The best would have to be Pronger or Lidstrom.
Posted by No Name from Canada on 08/28/07 at 05:01 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Tim Connley of the Sabres has hands no player in the league can compete with i have seen him turn a good defenseman inside out.
One-on-One Defenseman: Agree with Phaneuf he hits like Scott Stevens and skates like Scott Niedermayer
Assist Man: Crosby.
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin.
Power Play Specialist: Jagr he is old but he can still be real tricky and lets be honest he learned from one of the best.
Shorthanded Specialist: John Madden
Need One Save: Jiggy obviously everyone missed the playoffs when he put aside domestic struggles to lead the ducks to the cup or perhaps they missed the last time the ducks went to the finals and he made a lot of enemies in hockeytown.
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Claude Giroux played juniors last season in the Q and put up a very respectable 106 points in something like under 60 games.
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Scotty Gomez will make the Rangers offense conduct like a symphony, much as I hate to say it.
When it Gets Chippy: CAM JANSSEN!
Coach for a must-win game: Pat Burns.
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery.
Home Crowd: Buffalo.
Posted by Dan from Philadelphia on 08/28/07 at 05:02 PM ET
Actually Ryan in Chicago, the weather is preety good out in Febuary. Theres a lot of snow and all Leaf fanz are going to be excited about the game. And yes obviously booing your own city because they LOST A GAME is a disgrace. You guyz are seriously spoiled. And i was trying to make a point when i said our team could be dead last in the NHL and we would still be by there side.
Thats what hockeys all about. Its about determination, winning, fights, battles, pain, injuries, and all out effort. And if u still loose u give your team a round of applause and get prepared for the next game with a much stronger effort. No wonder we won more cupz than u guyz. You guyz are playoff chokes. 1st in the NHL and loose to the Flamez in the 2nd round in 03/04. And lets not forget the 1st round loss to the Oilers and the Duckz. Im not saying the Redwings are a bad team. I think their one of the premier teams in the NHL. But some of their fans throw me off sometimes and you seem to be one of them. You guyz just dont seemed to be proud of anything. And i can bet u any amount of money the Maple Leafz will beat yur WingZ in Febuary.
Posted by Prabhjot Grewal from Toronto on 08/28/07 at 05:16 PM ET
one-one- defence specialist= Chris Pronger
one-one- offensive specialists= Pavel
Datsyuk/Alexander Ovechkin
Under your skin player= Darcy Tucker
Best home crownd= With out a doubt Edmonton. Singing the anthem before the games in the playoffs were a great thing to see. San Jose worst home crowd. They boo ed the Canadian anthem. During the playoffs.
Posted by Luc from Canada on 08/28/07 at 05:16 PM ET
Ryan from Chicago… the Hawks may have some rebuilding to do, but Chicago still has some of the best food in the country!
Pizza—Jiordanno’s.
Hot dogs - Portillo’s.
Itallian—too many great choices to mention.
What’s Detroit got? Hub caps?
Posted by David from Southern California on 08/28/07 at 05:17 PM ET
Need one more goal: Chris Drury
Posted by Xiran on 08/28/07 at 05:27 PM ET
By the way Aaron from Edmonton… I don’t think you are correct about Penner making that big of an impact. Penner plays great on some nights and not so great on others. He was benched during the playoffs because of his lack of effort. No doubt he was part of the Duck’s winning equation, but in the grand scheme of things he was a small part. Only time will tell if Kevin Lowe is a genious or not. I would bet for not. I don’t see Penner as making a huge impact on the 2008 Edmonton team.
Posted by David from Southern California on 08/28/07 at 05:28 PM ET
Need one more goal… Scott Niedermayer. Just ask Dominic Hasek.
Posted by David from Southern California on 08/28/07 at 05:29 PM ET
WOW! I can’t believe you chose san jose as the best crowd? BY FAR EDMONTON HAS THE BEST CROWN IN THE NHL. And if you don’t agree with me, then just look at when they go to the playoffs, and even in the season. they have the BEST fans in the game. they always have and always will. And this was hard for me to say just because i am an avs fan.
Posted by Mohamed from Edmonton on 08/28/07 at 06:16 PM ET
Sorry Mohamed, that is my opinion and I am sticking to it.
The Oiler fans may make it back to the top, but last year I witnessed games where the crowd was just dead, and they did have a reason for that.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/28/07 at 06:18 PM ET
Well most of the picks were good and very hard to take but HOME CROWED : FOR SURE MONTREAL THEY HAD SELLOUT games for the past three years.
Posted by Amit from Montreal on 08/28/07 at 06:57 PM ET
Best one on one defenseman: Chris Pronger for sure, Phaneuf needs some seasoning, Prong-show is well seasoned
Posted by B-RAD from Kamloops on 08/28/07 at 07:16 PM ET
I’m a Stars fan and even I agree that several netminders are far and away better than Turco when you need one save . He seems to give up more late 3rd period goals than most NHL goalies. He also plays very loose when he has a substantial lead. With all of that being said I would like to offer an observation. Some goaltenders get better with age while others peak early and never regain their initial effectiveness. I believe Marty is in the former category and he is about to have a sensational season. His improvement in the playoffs last year were a huge leap for him and I think the clubs faith in sticking with him will result in a great year. I can see a Broduer type career ahead for him.
Posted by william jonas from corpus christi texas on 08/28/07 at 07:17 PM ET
one on one - datskuk
one one one def - phanuef
assist man - thornton
pure goal scorer- ovechkin is the best there is
PP specialist def souray, forward kovalchuk
shorthanded specialist...defensive madden, offensive st louis
one save: Luongo
one goal: Drury aka MR CLUTCH
guy you ve never heard of (kinda): Nicklas Backstrom
biggest impact on a new team...Briere
chippiness: Laraque
coach: Lindy Ruff
Under your skin...Avery, just look at what he did to Kovalchuk in the playoffs
Home crowd: montreal the bell center, the greatest atmosphere you could want
Posted by evan from montreal on 08/28/07 at 07:24 PM ET
1 on 1 player: Henrik Zetterburg
Under Your Skin Player: Kirk Maltby
Need one Save: Roberto Luongo
1 on 1 D’man:Nick Lidstrom
Homecrowd: Calgary
Pure Goalscorer:Jason Spezza
Posted by Tim Berent from Detroit on 08/28/07 at 07:28 PM ET
Best one-on-one offensive player has gotta be Thomas Vanek, he’s big and has got some pretty awesome dangle. He can snype it from anywhere!
My tender has gotta be Marty, i saw that guy play against Tampa in the playoffs this past year and saw him get a shutout, when that guy is on his game he is amazing.
And i hope Turris gets a chance to play, and Justin Pogge for the leafs, he should be the #2 not raycroft
Posted by Brad from Paris Ontario on 08/28/07 at 07:29 PM ET
I agree with pretty much most of what has been said, and would probably pick some montreal players for many categories because i am a bit biased...but the one that montreal definitely should win is BEST HOME CROWD. every home game has been sold out for the last couple of years and no other arena makes so much noise. Not only that, but the Montreal home crowd is always loud and always believes in the team no matter where they are in the standings (although the media tends to rip some players to shreds as a scapegoat...)
Posted by Master Marcus from Montreal on 08/28/07 at 07:30 PM ET
This list is so hard to choose because there are so many that can be in each category, so i have a few ties.
One-on-One Offensive Player: Datsyuk… but crosby best one on three player lol
One-on-One Defenseman: Pronger most intimidating, Lidstrom and Niedermayer best positionally… Phaneuf is still too young for this category
Assist Man: Crosby, Thornton
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin, Lecavalier
Power Play Specialist: Kovalchuck.
Shorthanded Specialist: Pahlsson or madden
Need One Save: Luongo
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: ME
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Smyth or blake
When it Gets Chippy: Boogard
Coach for a must-win game: Maurice
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery or ruutu
Home Crowd: nothing against san jose, im sure they are great, but i’d say edmonton, montreal or toronto
oh yeah smoothest skater: Scott Niedermayer
Best cycling team: Anaheim
Best Fighter: laraque
Most accurate shot: Joe sakic
there are many more but im too tired to think
Posted by Jared from Murrieta on 08/28/07 at 07:31 PM ET
best crowd....edmonton and toronto are pretty close
Posted by Brad from Paris Ontario on 08/28/07 at 07:35 PM ET
what about jordan staal for shorthanders. guys friggen awesome
Posted by Brad from Paris Ontario on 08/28/07 at 07:37 PM ET
to: she plays 2 from canada:
SOURAY!?!?!?!? one on one defenceman, u gotta b kidding me...go on youtube and type “sheldon souray gets deked” then you ll see wat you ve been missing
of course if ur blind and/or havent watched an actual game Souray was in...all is forgiven
Posted by evan from montreal on 08/28/07 at 07:38 PM ET
Kuka,
I have a lot of respect for you, but you really apparently have no homework on SJ fans, they are Oakland Raider fans of hockey. Have you been to the Tank? There is are just one too many teams in CA, and I think the Sharks are the odd man out there.
Sorry, I respectfully disagree with your choice.
Posted by J.O. from MD on 08/28/07 at 07:53 PM ET
J.O., that is fine if you disagree. We all have our opinions.
Yes, I have been to the Shark Tank and I couldn’t hear myself think.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/28/07 at 07:56 PM ET
san jose has to be one of the loudest arenas in the NHL. Its insane to go there without ear protection during the playoff games. YIKES!
Posted by steven pene from detroit on 08/28/07 at 07:59 PM ET
Crappiest Arena: Nassau Colliseum (NYI)
Team That Made Useless Moves in Free agency: Edmonton (Are They really expecting Penner to score 70 goals?)
Ugliest RBK Edge Jersey So Far: Nashvilles silver sleeves look disgusting to me
Most Pathetic Fans: This list could go on for a while, but considering im a rangers fan ill say the Islanders, they ahve no fans when theyre bad and when theyre ok they get some?
and those fans that just decideed that theyre islanders fans bc theyre good throw things on the ice?
Posted by Bryan from Long Island on 08/28/07 at 07:59 PM ET
1 on 1 offensive player - Datsyuk works for me
1 on 1 defensive player - I want S. Neidermayer
Assist man - Crosby, but Briere is close behind
Pure goal scorer - Zetterberg can be unstoppable
Power Play guy - Joe Thornton does it all
Short handed guy - Chris Drury is awfully good
Need one save - Giguere
Guy you never heard of - Jiri Novotny
Biggest impact on new club - Briere
When it gets chippy - Laraque
Must win coach - Hitchcock
Under your skin guy - Darcy Tucker
Craziest crowd ever - CALGARY
Posted by Zack from West Virginia on 08/28/07 at 08:04 PM ET
Ok, your talking about the best croud, how about having sold oout seasons for the past 3 years! for everysingle game? your telling me montreal fans arent hockey crazed? i must disagree.
Before San Jose was any good, they practically never had sell-outs, and even NOW teams that are always on top of the league, namely Detroit, dont even have sold out seasons
Posted by Mosa from Montreal, Quebec on 08/28/07 at 08:05 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Datsyuk
One-on-One Defenseman: Lidstrom
Assist Man: Thornton (close with Crosby so I split them up - see PP specialist).
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin.
Power Play Specialist: Crosby (Ilya has a rocket but Sid will find anyone who’s open).
Shorthanded Specialist: Sami Pahlsson for shutdown, Staal for his beautiful shorties
Need One Save: Luongo
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: David Joraslav Hlinka
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Smyth
When it Gets Chippy: Ray Emery - or Scott Parker (just look at the guy!)
Coach for a must-win game: Bowman (former), Babcock (current) Aw man, friggin Wings.
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery.
Home Crowd: Calgary
Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 08/28/07 at 08:33 PM ET
Faceo off guy: Roddy Brind’Amour
Penalty Killer:Justin Williams
Playmaker: Ray Whitney
Diving specialist: Danny Briere
A new nickname for Sidney Crosby: Captain Kid 
LOUDEST CRAZIEST CROUD: THE CANIAC NATION
Posted by Caniac from Raleigh on 08/28/07 at 08:34 PM ET
Shoot, missed these.
Best chance of 07 draft to play this year :
Turris (he’s young but come on..it’s Phoenix)
Team with best turn around chance this year :
Philly
Team with biggest fall from grace compared to last year :
New Jersey
Best mix of old / young on the teams roster :
San Jose
Team with best chance in three years using current rosters (active and “in-system” players included)
Montreal
Most ineffective free agent, that was thought to have been a great addition :
Souray
Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 08/28/07 at 08:39 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Marian Hossa
One-on-One Defenseman: Chris Pronger
Assist Man: Sid the kid
Pure Goal Scorer: Alexander Ovechkin
Power Play Specialist: Ilya Kovalchuk
Shorthanded Specialist: Sami Pahlsson
Need One Save: Roberto Luongo
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Shawn Belle
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Ryan Smyth, he brings the grit and the goal scoreing. Good leader in the locker room too.
When it Gets Chippy: CHRIS NEIL
Coach for a must-win game: Jacques Lemaire
Under Your Skin Guy: Sean Avery.
Home Crowd: ANYWHERE IN CANADA!
Posted by Matthew from Winnipeg,Manitoba on 08/28/07 at 08:47 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Ovechkin
One-on-One Defenseman: Pronger
Assist Man: Thorton
Pure Goal Scorer: Jagr
Power Play Specialist: Shanahan
Shorthanded Specialist: Sami Pahlsson
Need One Save: Lundqvist
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Nigel Dawes
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Either Gomez or Drury for the Rangers
When it Gets Chippy: CHRIS NEIL
Coach for a must-win game: Jacques Lemaire
Under Your Skin Guy: Sean Avery.
Home Crowd: the worlds most famous arena MSG
Posted by Jon on 08/28/07 at 09:59 PM ET
Mosa, you shouldn’t be posting about things you know absolutely nothing about. The Sharks never sold out games when they were bad? Uhhh, a few years ago they were the 2nd worst team in the western conference. Guess what percent of their tickets they sold? 99.2% Oh, and they’ve never sold less than 90% of their tickets in a season, and 4 of the last 6 seasons they have sold over 99% of their tickets.
I’m not necessarily saying they have the best fans, but you shouldn’t stereotype a team just because they are in California.
Posted by Anthony from Bay Area on 08/28/07 at 10:28 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Maxim Afinogenov. One on One, he’s GONNA win.
One-on-One Defenseman: I really don’t know. Pronger seems to be the default answer, hm?
Assist Man: Briere or Sid.
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin
Power Play Specialist: Dany Heatley, though I hate to admit it.
Shorthanded Specialist: Jordan Staal (is AMAZING!)
Need One Save: Ryan Miller, he’s making his way in the NHL.
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: how can I answer this, if I never heard of him? Okay, just for the question, Dan Boyle.
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Danny Briere…
When it Gets Chippy: Paul Gaustad
Coach for a must-win game: Lindy Ruff
Under Your Skin Guy: Darcy Tucker
Home Crowd: I haven’t been anywhere but here, and we’re pretty awesome. Oh, and Calgary. Seeing their fans in RED! made me tear up.
Best chance of 07 draft to play this year : Kane
Team with best turn around chance this year : ...sigh… Philly…
My add: Worst front office dealings: Sabres, letting our captains AND Zubrus go…
Team with biggest fall from grace compared to last year : Carolina. Where were you, losing all your hired guns?
Best mix of old / young on the teams roster : Pittsburgh with Roberts and Recchi and Malkin, Crosby and Staal
Team with best chance in three years using current rosters (active and “in-system” players included): Thankfully, the Sabres. We have Stafford and Paille and tons of others in the system. We may not be #1, but we’ll do fine
Most ineffective free agent, that was thought to have been a great addition : ehm… I dunno.
Posted by Marilyn from Buffalo on 08/28/07 at 10:50 PM ET
Best Home crowd ?!?
Hands down the Montreal crowd. Look at it and be there right now, and just imagine what it would be like if they’d get to a Stanley Cup Final. All hell would break loose !!! And it’s not in a long time you’ll see it happen with Goaltender Carey Price, yep, the Price is Right B##ch !!!
Posted by Phild44 from Hawkesbury on 08/28/07 at 11:09 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Marion Gaborik
One-on-One Defenseman: Niklas Lidstrom, he never seems to make a mistake
Assist Man: Peter Forsberg
Pure Goal Scorer: Zach Parise
Power Play Specialist: Joe Sakic
Shorthanded Specialist: Sami Pahlsson
Need One Save: Bingo Bango Bongo! His name is..Roberto Luongo
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Kevin Bieksa
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Daniel Briere, should be able to help turn around Philly
When it Gets Chippy: Todd Bertuzzi. Watch out from behind!
Coach for a must-win game: Pat Burns
Under Your Skin Guy: Jaarko Ruutu
Home Crowd: Vancouver, they sell out every home game!
Best Duo on the Ice: Sedin Twins
Posted by Oscar on 08/28/07 at 11:11 PM ET
one on one offensive- Datsyuk
one on one def- Lidstrom
The goalie that will entertain- hasek (he dives at people)
The best captain- maybe someone who leads by example- Lidstrom
worst franchise- Edmonton ( no one except ryan smyth wants to be there)
need a save- It use to be Brodeur but now it’s luongo
worst fans- chicago
loudest arena- not going with detroit but i think calgary has the loudest croud followed of course by detroit
best owner- Mike Illitch(owner of the Red wings, the tigers, and little ceasars)
Posted by matt from detroit on 08/28/07 at 11:47 PM ET
one on one offense: Datsyuk.
one on one defense: Lidstrom.
assist man: Crosby.
pure goal scorer: Crosby.
power play specialist: Thornton.
shorthanded specialist: Pahlsson.
need a big time save: Kiprusoff (series against
Detroit;amazing, even though they lost).
best small guy: Dan Cleary.
best crowd: Calgary (the C of red).
worst crowd: Los Angeles.
best arena: “The Joe” in Detroit (it’s all about history there).
worst arena: Pengrowth Saddledome (just ugly, sorry Calgary).
Best coach: Babcock.
worst red : McGooooooooooo.
under my skin: Pronger.
biggest let down after a good 06: Edmonton & Carolina.
Worst team in the league: Phoenix.
East or West: West by a mile.
Next franchise should go to the city of ____________????????? YOU TELL Me. I say
1. Winnipeg
2. Las Vegas
3. ___________
4____________
Posted by Gerald from Southern California on 08/29/07 at 12:23 AM ET
one on one offensive - Sidney Crosby
one on one defensive - Lidstrom
Assist man - Big Joe Thornton is the Assist King
Pure goal scorer - Ovechkin
Power Play specialist - Sheldon Souray
Shorthanded Specialist - Marty St.Louis
Need one save - Brodeur, hands down.
Biggest impact on new team - Ryan Smyth
Get under your skin guy - Sean Avery
Must Win coach - Scotty Bowman, but since he’s not a coach anymore.. Darryl Sutter
Best home crowd - Obviously The HABS’!
Best duo on the ice - Spezza and Heatley
Best Captain - The one and only Saku Koivu.. biggest heart in the game. Enough said.
Posted by Brady from Regina, SK. on 08/29/07 at 12:25 AM ET
Brady how can you say that brodeur is the best goalie, when it clearly is luongo. Luongo should have won the vezina. His stats were amazing when you think about the team that he played for the vancouver canucks.
Posted by matt from detroit on 08/29/07 at 12:39 AM ET
have you ever been to new york PK? are you kidding with san jose?
Posted by emily Elkins on 08/29/07 at 12:39 AM ET
one on one offense: Petr Prucha.
one on one defense: Petr Prucha.
assist man: Petr Prucha.
pure goal scorer: Petr Prucha.
power play specialist: Petr Prucha.
shorthanded specialist: Petr Prucha.
need a big time save: Petr Prucha (Kid Korageous does everything, you know).
best small guy: PETR PRUCHA
best crowd: Habs and Blueshirts tied. Both are always sold out. Both have real fans who sing original songs and chants. Both represent real cities. They’re the only clubs that are really apart from the suburban mall-dwelling mess of the rest of North America.
worst crowd: New Jersey.
best arena: MSG (uh, it’s all about history there).
Worst team in the league: The Nassau County Fishsticks.
East or West: Are you kidding? Who cares about the West? Who even lives there? The goldrush is over. Get back into your wagons and continue depopulating the indigenous tribes.
Posted by Gooner from New York on 08/29/07 at 12:54 AM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: pavel datysuk
One-on-One Defenseman: lidstrom how can u argue with that 1 hes the best defensman alive
Assist Man: joe thorton
Pure Goal Scorer: shannahan
Power Play Specialist: tomas holmstrom
Shorthanded Specialist: draper he does everything right just cuz he dont get that many short handed goals dont mean anything he noes howto clear it and chase
Need One Save: hasek hes gonna come up big and i would also say osgood when u need him he comes through
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: idk.
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Scotty Gomez will make the Rangers offense conduct like a symphony, much as I hate to say it.
When it Gets Chippy: that johnathon too too or w.e from nashiville
Coach for a must-win game:bowman but he dont coach nomore
Under Your Skin Guy: 2 guys come into mind here avery
and holmostrom goalies and the opposing team hate them guys
Home Crowd: how can u argue with this 1 its detroit imean come on its hockey town
Posted by kmoney8teen from Clinton Township, MI on 08/29/07 at 01:25 AM ET
all you guys that are ripping on the san jose crowd clearly have never been to a game at the tank. While there may not be as many hockey crazy people in CA as there are in canada, the ones that fill the shark tank are passionate and knowledgeable.
Posted by david on 08/29/07 at 01:51 AM ET
Best one-on-one offensive player - So many good to here. My favourite would be Kovalchuk. Contenders: AO and Crosby. I just don’t like Datsyuk.
Best one-on-one defenseman - I’m gonna agree with Iginla. Also Weber is good.
Assist man - I agree with Crosby. Contenders would be J. Thornton and Spezza.
Best pure goal scorer - Kovalchuk or Nash.
Power-play specialist - Selanne, Kovalchuk or AO.
Shorthanded specialist - Im gonna go with Jordan Staal. He is pretty good for there. Very young also.
Need one save - Kari Lehtonen is my favourite, but he’s not so experienced so I would choose Kiprusoff ‘cause he is so cold minded.
The guy you never heard of - Sean Bergenheim (NYI) could make huge step to be regular in NHL.
Biggest impact on a new team - Kimmo Timonen’s move to Philadelphia could be huge for them. Biggest impact however must be Smyth.
When it gets chippy - Jarkko Ruutu.
Coach for a must-win game - Probably Bowman.
Get under your skin guy - Jarkko Ruutu.
The home crowd - I’ll agree with San Jose.
Posted by Sankari from Finland on 08/29/07 at 02:14 AM ET
one on one offensive - Marian Gaborik, (if you can see im)
Best defensplayer offensively - Lidstrom
one on one defensive - Lidstrom
Assist man - Sydney Crosby
Pure goal scorer - Alexander Ovechkin
Power Play specialist - Ilya Kovaltchuk
Shorthanded Specialist - Sami Pahlsson
Need one save - Henrik Lundqvist, this says it all http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a_y00nYJW8
Biggest impact on new team - Igor Gregorenko, i hope
Get under your skin guy - Sean Avery
Must Win coach - Cant pick one.
Best home crowd - Obviously You´ve never been in Gothenburg,Sweden. Scandinavium home of Frolunda Indians, just ask Henrik Lundqvist,Alfredsson,Axelsson,Sami Pahlsson,Sami Salo,Norrena,Backman...i could go on...but in NHL, Detroit crowd, no doubt
Best duo on the ice - Pavel Datsyuk & Henrik Zetterberg
Best Captain - I cant pick one of these guys Saku Koivu/Mats Sundin....
Posted by Marcus Eriksson from Sweden (Hockey Land) on 08/29/07 at 02:27 AM ET
You want to know who are the best fans in the NHL ? Well, Canadian Team;s have a reputation for having good crowds (I’m actually quite proud of this), & quite a few established American Teams have a pretty good home crowd as well.
But let me tell you which team has the ultimate best home crowd : MONTREAL BABY !!!!!
Any other place has had back to back to back sold out seasons ?? In Montreal, every night is a full house crowd. And if you don’t think the crowd is wild, you could always ask Joe Thornton when he played for Boston what a series matchup is like ;Op
Kayu from Montreal
Posted by Kayu from In Germany, but from Montreal on 08/29/07 at 04:32 AM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Sidney Crosby, although he is more used to one on four
One-on-One Defenseman: Dion Phaneuf - two words: Danny Hamel
Assist Man: Crosby
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin
Power Play Specialist: Kovalchuck
Shorthanded Specialist: Sami Pahlsson
Need One Save: Martin Brodeur
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Ryan Smyth. Not only on the ice, but in the dressing room too
When it Gets Chippy: Boogeyman Boogart
Coach for a must-win game: Brent Sutter rookie coach in NJ who doesn’t understand the meaning of the word “loss”
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery.
Home Crowd: It kills me to say this, but you gotta give props to those Calgary Flames fans. I’ve been to a game in Calgary once, I think I still don’t have my hearing back. That C of red could intimidate any team.
Posted by Jeff from Canada on 08/29/07 at 04:49 AM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Zetterberg
One-on-One Defenseman: Lidstrom
Assist Man: Kaberle
Pure Goal Scorer: Ilya Kovalchuck
Power Play Specialist: Joe Thornton
Shorthanded Specialist: Micheal Peca
Need One Save: Luongo
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Kyle Wellwood
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Jason Blake Torontos new sniper
When it Gets Chippy: Darcy Mother-Tucker
Coach for a must-win game: Pat Quinn
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery
Home Crowd: Toronto
Face-off guy: BrindAmour
Shutdown D-man: Robyn Regher
Defensive forward: Sami Pahlsson
Defensive Shot: Bryan McCabe
Best Offensive D-man: Scott Niedermayer
Posted by adam from la quinta on 08/29/07 at 04:50 AM ET
Best chance of 07 draft to play this year : Patrick Kane or Kyle Turris
Team with best turn around chance this year : Chicago
Team with biggest fall from grace compared to last year : Buffalo, a team that loses three of their biggest players will have problems even if they are a team with depth and good prospects.
Best mix of old / young on the teams roster : Calgary
Worst mix of old / young on teams roster: Detroit, hello team grandpa!
Team with best chance in three years using current rosters (active and “in-system” players included): Pittsburgh Penguins.
Most ineffective free agent, that was thought to have been a great addition : Sheldon Souray, yeah well he can shoot the puck but he is a terrible pure defenseman.
Calder Trohpy Winner 07: Nicklas Bäckström.
Need to win one face-off: Mats Sudin
Best duo on the ice: Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza
Most likely player to be traded next year: Kristian Huselius, Mike Keenan hates him.
Most-Injury prone: Peter Forsberg, unless it’s the Olympics or the WC, then he’s always fit to play. Isn’t that weird?
Biggest hitter on ice: Robyn Regher
Best Captain: Joe Sakic
Best Owner: Mario Lemiuex
Next NHL team should go to: Minneapolis
Best to have in the play-offs: Chris Pronger, he won the cup for Anaheim by taking out the competition trough any measures he saw fit. Mostly by giving key players a concussion.
Posted by Visf from Sweden on 08/29/07 at 05:46 AM ET
Edit: two of their best players
Posted by Visf from Sweden on 08/29/07 at 05:48 AM ET
Defensemen no one wants to see come out of retirement: Scott Stevens.
The best Shutdown line: Madden, Pandolfo, anyone else.
Biggest improvement in career 2007: Jason Blake
Biggest dissapointment 2007: Eric Lindros
Best hockey sense/playmaking ability: Sidney Crosby
Best agitator: Sean Avery and Cam Jansen....can’t wait to see these guys go toe to toe.
Talent has run its course and leaving quick: Alexander Mogilny, Sergei Federov, Eric Lindros, Derian Hatcher, Curtis Joseph, Bobby Holik, Tony Amonte.
Posted by Tommy B from NJ on 08/29/07 at 05:57 AM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Evgeni Malkin.
One-on-One Defenseman: Chris Pronger.
Assist Man: Sidney Crosby.
Pure Goal Scorer: Alex Ovechkin.
Power Play Specialist: Ilya Kovalchuk.
Shorthanded Specialist: Sami Pahlsson or Jordan Staal.
Need One Save: Roberto Luongo.
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Max Talbot. (haha kidding, sort of.)
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Darryl Sydor for the Pens, their D really needs it.
When it Gets Chippy: Jarrko Ruutu.
Coach for a must-win game: Lindy Ruff.
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery.
Home Crowd: PITTSBURGH.
Best chance of 07 draft to play this year : Patrick Kane or Kyle Turris.
Team with best turn around chance this year : Chicago.
Team with biggest fall from grace compared to last year : NYI, although the weren’t the best last year, I think this year will be worse.
Best mix of old / young on the teams roster : Pittsburgh.
Team with best chance in three years using current rosters (active and “in-system” players included): Definitly Pittsburgh.
Most ineffective free agent, that was thought to have been a great addition : Ziggy Palffy to Pittsburgh 2 years ago.
Defensemen no one wants to see come out of retirement: Tie Domi.
Biggest improvement in career 2007: Sami PAhlsson.
Biggest dissapointment 2007: Eric Lindros.
Best hockey sense/playmaking ability: Sidney Crosby.
Best agitator: Sean Avery or Georges Laraque.
Talent has run its course and leaving quick: Alexander Mogilny, Sergei Federov, Eric Lindros, Derian Hatcher, Curtis Joseph, Bobby Holik, Jeremy Roenick.
Calder Trohpy Winner 07: Nicklas Bäckström.
Need to win one face-off: Mats Sudin.
Best duo on the ice: Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza.
Most-Injury prone: Peter Forsberg.
Biggest hitter on ice: Anton Volchenkov.
Best Captain: Joe Sakic.
Best Owner: Mario Lemiuex.
Next NHL team should go to: Winnepeg.
Best to have in the play-offs: Chris Pronger.
Posted by Shea from Pittsburgh, PA on 08/29/07 at 06:43 AM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Saku Koivu
One-on-One Defenseman: Brian Mccabe
Assist Man: Craig Conroy
Pure Goal Scorer: Jason Spezza
Power Play Specialist: Ilya Kovalchuck
Shorthanded Specialist: Martin St.Louis
Need One Save: Christobal Huet
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Kevin Regan
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Roman Hamerlik. He is going to bring some veteran defence to the Canadiens after the departure of Sheldon Souray.
When it Gets Chippy: Donald Brasher
Coach for a must-win game: Lindy Ruff
Under Your Skin Guy: Sean Avery
Home Crowd: Montreal. Think about it guys, almost every game is sold out and the playoffs the crowd is wild.
Posted by Ian from Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada on 08/29/07 at 07:05 AM ET
Yes, I’ve been to Toronto games, and I stand by what I observed. The fans in the upper bowl do seem to be much more interested in the game than those downstairs, although many of them would benefit by an explanation of the ‘puck in play’ rule.
I’ve also been to games in Missasauga, and those fans are great (as is the hockey).
This season, I’ll be adding Detroit and MSG to my arenas-visited list, but doubt if either of those will knock off the Habs as the best home crowd.
And Paul, sorry about the name-calling of the Buffalo fans, but I wish you had seen what I did. Totally obnoxious all over the arena, and on the night that honored Dave Andreychuk. I bet he was proud to have played in Buffalo so many years.
Posted by Cleo from Tampa, FL on 08/29/07 at 07:40 AM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Datsyuk
One-on-One Defenseman: Nick Lidstrom
Assist Man: Peter Forsberg
Pure Goal scorer: Alexander Ovechkin
Power Play specialist: Joe Thornton
Shorthanded Specialist: don’t know, Kirk Maltby
Need One Save: Martin Brodeur
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Anje Kopitar
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Bill Guerin
When it Gets Chippy: Martin LaPointe (of old)
Coach for a must-win game: Lindy Ruff
Under Your Skin Guy: Sean Avery
Home Crowd: Philadelphia Flyers
Posted by neri from los angeles, ca on 08/29/07 at 09:31 AM ET
I can see what you guys mean about Buffalo and Philly and Calgary and the Shark fans but if you think about it montreal has sold out most of their games and when playoff time comes around there are actually people staying the night outside the Bell Centre just for a ticket now there are some crazy fans.
Posted by Ian from Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada on 08/29/07 at 09:46 AM ET
I only want to say one thing, about the crowds.
I only went to Habs’ Home games, but I can tell you (as much as I hate them), the Toronto fans are as crazy as the Montreal fans.
Last time I went to a Leafs-Habs game, there we’re three fist fights in the first ten minutes of the game, in the stands!
But I have to admit I was always blown off by the Calgary fans.
So, thumbs up to all the crowds that support their team no matter what!
Posted by NSi from Montreal on 08/29/07 at 09:51 AM ET
I totally agree with you NSi but the first ever game i went to was Toronto vs New York Islanders in the playoffs a couple years back at the Island and those fans are pretty big into their hockey when playoff time rolls around but they really do fail in comparison to some of the other teams around the NHL.
Posted by Ian from Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada on 08/29/07 at 09:55 AM ET
o.k. now I’ll add what I was thinking.
Team with best turn around chance this year :
Flyers, they can’t do worse.
Team with biggest fall from grace compared to last year : New Jersey or Buffalo
Best mix of old / young on the teams roster :
Pens or Colorado, I’m not being biased towards the Avs… they just have a good mix right thru the line-up. But the Pens, adding Sydor and Sykora in addition to the elder talent they had… that’s smoking.
Team with best chance in three years using current rosters (active and “in-system” players included)
: I know I put that one up, but I honestly don’t have an answer till after camps get underway… I know lame answer, sorry. But there’s far to much talent in this years draft to not give them a look at camp.
Most ineffective free agent, that was thought to have been a great addition :
Souray, Big Bert, Peca, Brisebois… where do you end this list?
Best chance of 07 draft to play this year :
I agree it could be Turris because it’s Phoenix, but consider this… Gretzky is smarter than that, he’ll let the kid grow into it. Kane would be the most likely, the Hawks are a desperate club to gain ground.
Need one more goal: Chris Drury (without question). I’ve seen a couple other answers, but those were one time wonders so to speak… Drury is consistently “Mr. Clutch”.
Worst front office dealings: Sabres or Islanders
Posted by Puckcrazy from Alaskan in Denver on 08/29/07 at 10:10 AM ET
Clutch Scorer: Chris Drury. All year, every year, any team. He is Captain Clutch.
Man in the trenches: Need that loose puck down in the corners? Ryan Smyth is your man.
Under your skin: Avery
Shootout Goalie: Ryan Miller
Shutout Goalie: Martin Brodeur
Shutdown Goalie: Marty Turco
Promising Young Goalie: Budaj
Speedster: Martin Gabourik
Two-Way Player: In his prime, Michael Peca
Best Young Team: Penguins
Best Old Team: Rangers in 07’-08. Drury, Gomez, Jagr. They’ll make a strong push for Division leaders if they start where they left off.
Best Front Office as of draft: Philadelphia. They revamped the entire roster, had great draft picks, and are only a year or two away from serious contention in my eyes. Toronto is also a good candidate, adding goaltending and scoring to their unstable and inconsistent team. Look out for them in a few years.
Worst front office as of now: Buffalo without a doubt. Sorry Darcy/Larry, you dropped the ball and passed the buck.
Posted by Bleeds blue and gold from Buffalo on 08/29/07 at 10:25 AM ET
Best play by play announcer past or present: Lloyd Pettit, Chicago Blackhawks
Posted by john savage from sacramento, ca on 08/29/07 at 10:40 AM ET
Bleeds blue and gold… Drury, Gomez old? Drury is only 31 and Gomer is at 27, hardly old per say. Straka and Shanny though, 35 and 38.
If you ronly going to pick on a handfull of guys there’s tons of old teams… Try the Stars… Lehtinen (34), Modano (37), Barnes (36), Norstrom (35), Zubov (36), Boucher (34, is he 34 already? wow)
Posted by Puckcrazy from Alaskan in Denver on 08/29/07 at 10:46 AM ET
While I know it might not be the popular choice, thanks for picking San Jose’s home crowd as one of the best. For the people that disagree, that’s fine, but is it really necessary to discredit our loyalty and passion just because we’re a California team? The Sharks fans that have left comments, so far, about the choice have been respectful, passionate and knowledgeable and THAT’s why we’re great fans.
As for the Oilers fans that like to through the whole booing incident in our face at every opportunity, just get some facts straight. I was there that night and it was hugely embarrassing. It was our own tech’s choice to show some of the most detested Oilers players on the jumbo-tron during the anthem, hence the boo. It was NEVER meant to be disrespectful to the Country of Canada (and it’s insane to think of it as such imo), and to try to show that the next game of that series the entire arena sang the Canadian Anthem at the top of there lungs. But no one likes to mention THAT part.
Posted by Sharks fan from San Jose on 08/29/07 at 10:54 AM ET
One thing the comments shows is fans are passionate about the game and their teams.
I just wanted to chime in and mention you folks are doing a great job with all of the comments, new categories, etc.
I also appreciate the mostly civil discussions that are going on.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/29/07 at 11:14 AM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Zetterberg
One-on-One Defenseman: Lidstrom
Assist Man: Crosby
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin
Power Play Specialist: Gaborik
Shorthanded Specialist: Wes Walz
Need One Save: Luongo
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Pierre-marc Bouchard
Biggest Impact on a New Team:Souray
When it Gets Chippy:Boogaard
Coach for a must-win game: Brooks
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery
Home Crowd: Minnesota
Posted by anders from minneapolis on 08/29/07 at 11:14 AM ET
San Jose may be loud during the playoffs BUT Nashville is just as loud. I know we haven’t gotten past the first round but the games I’ve been to were insanely loud!...Who says the south dosen’t care about hockey? Uhh, yeah we do! It may not be as big as college football down here but we fill the seats. The 2 of the last 3 Stanley Cup champs were from the south. And each of their opponents were canadien teams. Not dissing canada but southern hockey is better than what people think it is.....
Guy you would want on the ice to protect/stand up for your finesse players-Jason Arnott
Posted by Andy from Lebanon,TN on 08/29/07 at 11:22 AM ET
I have no idea why everyone has an issue with the home crowd thing. Every hockey fan believes their city has the better crowd. But not being against anyone, in reality Canadian cities have a huge upper hand in fan base than American cities. San Jose does have a very loud building, but nothing like Toronto or Calgary where the noise is next to deafening. Remember Toronto in the 2002 conference finals against Carolina. And Calgary in the 03/04 run. The noise was just unbearable. And the Saddledome by the way has “The Sea of Red” all season long. Its unbelievable, I’ve never seen anything like that before. Every fan in that building has a Flames jersey. Its really a pretty site come playoff time. And watch the Air Canada Centre this year when the Leafs make the playoffs!
Posted by Prabhjot Grewal from Toronto on 08/29/07 at 11:23 AM ET
Best faceoff man: Antoine Vermette
One-on-One Offensive Player: Crosby
One-on-One Defenseman: Nick Lidstrom(no mistakes, ever)
Assist Man: Crosby/Forsberg.
Pure Goal Scorer: Marty St. Louis.
Power Play Specialist: Kovalchuck.
Shorthanded Specialist: John Madden
Need One Save: Marc Andre Fleury.
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Nigel Dawes.
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Sheldon Souray.(He and Pitkanen will fill in the lack of offense that has been on the oilers blue line for years).
When it Gets Chippy: Georges Laraque. None Better(You can even ask Donald Brasher). Coach for a must-win game: Michael Terrien.
Under Your Skin Guy: Chris Neil (Ask Gary Roberts).
Home Crowd: Edmonton.
Posted by TJ from Maryland on 08/29/07 at 11:33 AM ET
Scariest Skater: Maxim Afinogenov. Unbelievable acrobat!
Posted by Ed from Kansas City on 08/29/07 at 12:17 PM ET
I know it’s not NHL, and don’t start complain that it’s not hockey if it’s not NHL…
But if anyone is ever in Anchorage Alaska and the ECHL Alaska Aces are playing a play-offs game.... DON’T miss it! The arena list a sell-out at a measly 6251, but the place rocks!
Their marketing re-did their opening show about three years back which featured a flaming, yes real fire, A logo at center ice… the promo was called “Ignite the Ice”. They still did it last year, as far as I know.
Posted by Puckcrazy from Alaskan in Denver on 08/29/07 at 12:21 PM ET
for al the fans back east saying untrue things about san jose, its time to stay up late enough to actually watch a game being played at the tank, or come out next june and see for yourself. last season playoffs were so loud, you couldn’t scream loud enough for the person next to you to hear you, and they were not the loudest in sharks history. its a deafening roar that messes with electronic equipment and doesn’t leave you for days.
btw, is there any other crowd that has rendered one of the top three defenders in the league useless? (pronger wcqf 03-04)
and to all the hab fans saying they have sold out the last three seasons, didnt the avs just end some 500+ sellout streak?
Posted by sean from san jose on 08/29/07 at 12:44 PM ET
Yeah unfortunately the Avs sell-out streak, started in 96 when Quebec moved here, ended in the post lockout season at 487 in a row. The 500th home sellout was outside the streak but was only in their 515th game in Denver. It was on January 20, 2007, against the Detroit Red Wings none the less… I was there actually.
Posted by Puckcrazy from Alaskan in Denver on 08/29/07 at 12:59 PM ET
Sir, who do want to take your teams shot in an overtime shootout, doesn’t matter whether it’s the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shot. What I mean is the guy you know is going to put the puck in the net, whether you are at home, on the road, playing a division rival, in game seven of a 1st rd playoff, or the game 7 of the stanley cup finals???? Who do you want? Who is your next Peter Forsberg for the 2007-2008 season?>
respectfully, JB from Milwaukee
Posted by John from milwaukee on 08/29/07 at 01:34 PM ET
Best goalie in the playoffs: Henrik Lundqvist in game 3 and 4 against the Sabres. He was like.... God.
Everybody wants to have the best fans, and I can’t say I have been anywhere but in my arena, but I don’t care HOW loud it is anywhere, Calgary’s sea of red wins. Hands down. Have any of the other arenas seen such dedication. Yelling and screaming doesn’t take much, try and get your 18,000 or whatever fans to wear the same color and ALSO scream, then you count for the best.
Posted by Marilyn from Buffalo on 08/29/07 at 02:10 PM ET
And to JB from Milwaukee, Danny Briere will get that shot in anyday. He is my most reliable shoot out guy. 1, 2, and 3.
Posted by Marilyn from Buffalo on 08/29/07 at 02:11 PM ET
Got some good ideas there paul, i disagree with you in one point though...i honestly think peca, if he stays healthy, can make more of an impact in Columbus than smyth in Colorado. Peca is arguably the better penalty killer and a great secound line / third line center...columbus has the stuff, to fight for a playoff spot now, due to peca’s coming. They have depth at center now, and another veteran that wants to end with a bash, maybe even a surprise playoff appearance?
thanks for the blogging, you do a great job
bernie
Posted by bernie from zug, switzerland...formally of georgetown ontario on 08/29/07 at 02:56 PM ET
I’ll side with Paul’s point here… and not due to team loyalty, rather my view is from a fan of the game & players.
Smyth fills a need Colorado’s been missing for some time now, a gritty forward in the opponants face every night… Peca has to re-prove he can be in the opponants face every night, then we’ll talk about how effective he is filling the need.
And I loved Peca of the past… one of the best darn open ice hitters a few years back, but he has to regain that in the new NHL. And it’s possible to play that way still, just look at the Ovechkin hits videos on youtube, he plows TB and NJ (White) guys right over in nice open ice hits.
Posted by Puckcrazy from Alaskan in Denver on 08/29/07 at 03:29 PM ET
one on one offensive man-alexander ovechkin, now theres some dangles
one on one defenseman-chris pronger
assist man-joe thornton all the way
pure goal scorer-alexander ovechkin, wouldnt wanna be in front of that shot
power play specialist-ryan smyth, one of the best screeners
shorthanded specialist-jordan stall
need one more save-roberto luongo
biggest impact on new team-ryan smyth, good on powerplay, penalty kill and 5 on 5
fighter guy-darcy hordichuk
shoouout shooter-prolly jussi jokinen
shootout goalie-id pick marty turco
Best expresion after scoring - alexander ovechkin
Fastest off the line -maxim afinegenov
Most likley to cry - dwayne roloson
Best new line - sakic, smyth, hejduk
most likely to score with 1 shot left-alexander ovechkin
Posted by tanner on 08/29/07 at 05:08 PM ET
puckcrazy, i’m not saying that smyth will not improve the avs, ‘course he will...i just believe that peca could be a surprise, note the could...as much as smyth.....the thing with smyth and the avs is that the avs are not a (were a) bad team like the blue jackets...smyth will have no trouble adapting and easily help push the avs into the playoffs again....peca is gonna have to go at it big time and give 100%
every game if he wants to stay in the game...smyth on the other hand has some better teammates and can take the liberty of slacking off...the question had, as i recall, something to do with the most impact a player will make. smyth will make a good team better...peca a crappy team good....whats the bigger change there?
Posted by bernie from zug, switzerland...formally of georgetown ontario on 08/29/07 at 05:21 PM ET
PK man: Mike Grier,
Hip Checker: Kyle McClaren,
Best Looking: Mike Ricci (retired),
New Logo hardest to get use to: San Jose,
State most in need of a cross town rival: Minnesota (Stars vs. Wild ok but...) For crying out loud it the HOCKEY state.
Network needed to get back in the game: ESPN
Posted by Bryan from City of Angels on 08/29/07 at 05:45 PM ET
Paul-
It’s very nice you gave props to us, the SJ fans. It’s certaily a very loud arena with bad acoustics that make the crowd noise reverberate insanely. I realized it was special when I went to a playoff game with my roommate and his parents from Boston and they said it reminded them of the golden days at the Boston Garden. That was quite the compliment.
Anyhow, I’d like to add that despite the rather lean results and mediocre teams, the LA Kings have some very very knowledgeable and hardcore fans in the upper deck that deserve respect. As a tangent, the Kings also have THE best looking women in the crowds of the lower bowl. The combination should give them some consideration in this category.
Posted by Pucknutz from Northern California on 08/29/07 at 07:44 PM ET
BEST PLAYER YOU WANT ON YOUR TEAM:
JOE SAKIC Living hockey legend - still striking fear into the heart of the enemy.
BEST CROWD: C’mon, with the NHL record sellouts dominating the NHL (last year excluded) The Hometown crowd in Denver not only makes the Avs the most supported team in the NHL but a notoriously crazy Denver Fan Base filled to the rafters EVERY NIGHT brings the house down in hockey ruins!
SCARIEST D-MAN: PHENEUF the fact that he looks like Frankenstien put him WAY over the Top. If I was on the ice I would put at least 1 zone between us, As a fan, I don’t want on my team because he may beast out and hurt his own teamates!
MOST ABRASIVE PLAYER: HOLMSTROM. I get agitated just typing his name.
BEST PLAYER: OVECHKIN. Crosby’s lack of any real humility will cost his team someday.
TOUGHEST TEAM TO PLAY AGAINST: CALGARY/SAN JOSE.
BEST SOPHMORE: STASTNY/MALKIN
Stastny is going to be more valuable
MOST DREADED GOALIE: KIPPER
MOST UNDERATED GOALIE: BUDAJ
Posted by stream from Wyoming on 08/29/07 at 07:45 PM ET
In response to my Zach Parise nomination for ‘best just scored a goal facial expression’ - page 7 of the NHL 2008 yearbook has the perfect example...he usually jumps up and down and looks like a kid in a candy store.
Posted by Jill from USA on 08/29/07 at 08:42 PM ET
Philadelphia by far has the best hockey fans.
Posted by Steve from philadelphia on 08/29/07 at 09:21 PM ET
HA! You guys crack me up . Donlad Brashear By far is the Best when Chippy, with names like cam Jansen and boogaard (BTW Nice hit to Kim Johnsson your real tough) I willing to bet anything that the Donald would crush either one of them. Didn’t the donald already lay boogaard down at the WAC? And Laraque? lol
Posted by The Rifle27 from Philadelphia on 08/29/07 at 09:38 PM ET
sorry everyone there is no better home town than Detroit. Detroit always has the best fans!
Posted by wingnut101 from hockeytown on 08/29/07 at 10:06 PM ET
One-on-One Offensive Player: Jason Spezza - Just ask Sheldon Souray
One-on-One Defenseman: Lidstrom
Assist Man: Crosby
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin
Power Play Specialist: Kovalchuck
Shorthanded Specialist: Sami Pahlsson
Need One Save: Marty Brodeur HANDS DOWN!
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: Trevor Bouver
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Jason Blake - Him & Sundin… Could be lethal!!!
When it Gets Chippy: Wade Belak
Coach for a must-win game: Mike Keenan
Under Your Skin Guy: Definitly Darcy Tucker
Home Crowd: Toronto - That building errupts everytime they score!
Posted by Kinnon from Fredericton on 08/29/07 at 10:48 PM ET
I can’t believe how many people are bandwagoning saying that SJ is the best home crowd. Granted i have never been there, there is no possible way that it is louder than the 127 dB that the Oiler’s fans put up in the playoffs and such a couple years back.
Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary is definitely intimidating with the HUGE sea of red but it’s not nearly as loud or as intimidating as Rexall Place in Edmonton. The fans here stand by their players no matter what. So my vote for home crowd is definitely Edmonton.
Best one-on-one offensive player—Sidney, AO, Datsyuk
Best one-on-one defenseman—Lidstrom… how many guys will get around him on that much experience
Assist man—Sid the Kid or Joe Thornton
Best pure goal scorer --Alexander Semin, the guy should be called Alexander Sniper
Power-play specialist—Souray and Pronger
Shorthanded specialist—Mika Kipprasoff… they say your best penalty killer is your goalie
Need one save—Marty Brodeur
The guy you never heard of—Robert Nillson in Edmonton, great speed, great hands, unbelievable ice presense and hockey sense
Biggest impact on a new team—Briere, Souray, Smyth
When it gets chippy—Parros, Avery, Jannsen, Boogard
Coach for a must-win game—Bring back toe blake for us… but now… Darryl Sutter
Get under your skin guy—Ruutu or Janssen
Posted by Scott from Edmonton on 08/30/07 at 12:47 AM ET
Not dissing canada but southern hockey is better than what people think it is.....
Posted by Andy from Lebanon,TN on 08/29 at 12:22 PM.
Well, that is kinda dissing, since a lot of the top players of every Stanley Cup Champion team is Canadian… Eric Stall, Giguère, Niedermeyer, Pronguer, Brodeur, Lecavalier, St-Louis, Richards, Sakic, and the list goes on & on.
Southern clubs have been able to build pretty nifty clubs these past years : Anaheim, San José, Nashville (well, last year… we’ll have to see this year), Tampa Bay just to name a few. However, let’s not forget how important canadian players are to these clubs’ successes. Without these top player, it would be quite hard to keep the Cup in the US ;Op
P.S. I’d love to see an all american players team win the cup.... but I don’t really see that happening anytime soon.
P.P.S. Canada 2, Russia Nuttin’.... international level is where our players excel, as we have incredible team systems established… if the Russians had a good team system like in the 70s, they might be able to beat us, but not now, it’s too much every one for themselves.
Posted by Kayu from In Germany, but from Montreal on 08/30/07 at 04:09 AM ET
Maybe not the best, yet, but probably one of the more exciting one on one offensive players and still young is Alexander Radulov from Nashville. The move he put on the Sharks last year going from one end of the Ice to the other was something to see. Definately a future big time star in this league.
Posted by David from Kentucky on 08/30/07 at 08:23 AM ET
First I’d like to say the only thing philly fans get would be the most ignorant fans in all of sports. I’d like to point out that as good as datsyuk is did you see crosby split the four montreal canadiens players and not to mention score or his insane backhand against phoenix? Easily plenty more exciting than datsyuk. Also I think you kinda forgot about Jordan Staal he lead the league in shorthanded goals with 7. St. Louis only had 5. Pretty sure I’d take the rookie over St. Louis any day. Your picks were all respectable though.
Posted by Joe Carothers on 08/30/07 at 08:39 AM ET
San Jose as best home crowd???? Aren’t they the ones who booed the Canadian national anthem a while back?? When JOE THORTON is there best player??
Posted by Mark Manson on 08/30/07 at 08:51 AM ET
you are nuts! Best one on one defenseman-hands down-Chris Pronger. The guy has the reach of a 747 and is about as hard to move.
C’mon now, get your head in the game.
Posted by Mike from St. Louis, MO on 08/30/07 at 09:51 AM ET
I agree with alot of your picks strongly..... but I have to disagree with the home crowd.....
go back to the year before lasts cup finals....say...game 6
you will get the real home crowd champion then
Posted by josh from alberta on 08/30/07 at 10:31 AM ET
Its obvious that nobody knows the story behind the Sharks/Oiler anthem saga. During the USA anthem in EDM, a picture of Jumbo Joe came on the screen inside the arena(not known to TV viewers) and the EDM fans booed During the USA National Anthem. This was not made public until AFTER some NOT all Sharks fans booed the Canadian anthem at the next game. Get your facts straight and don’t complain about the Sharks fans when you know nothing of the situation.
1 on 1 Goalie: Like Wall Arturs Irbe
Best 1 on 1 O player: Sergei Makharov
Assist Man: Thornton
Most Wanted to Hit into the Boards: Mike Modano/Teemu
Posted by Steven from San Jose on 08/30/07 at 03:11 PM ET
Not dissing canada but southern hockey is better than what people think it is.....
Posted by Andy from Lebanon,TN on 08/29 at 12:22 PM.
Well, that is kinda dissing, since a lot of the top players of every Stanley Cup Champion team is Canadian…
Posted by Kayu from In Germany, but from Montreal on 08/30 at 05:09 AM
Ah, yes, it is true that a mass amount of talent in the south is Canadian, but I think Andy meant the fans in the South are the ones you shouldn’t put down.
Also, since a hefty percentage of the whole NHL is canadian, there will probably NEVER be a time when there’s a whole team of Americans, especially with more Russians and other countries joining our game.
It seems unfair to say that the US teams would fail without Canadian players, simply because the league is dominated by Canadians.
Kayu, I mean no disrespect but it seems that you generally dislike a team for where they are located -i.e., not Canada-, but the fact that they ARE predominantly made up of Canadian players means that you should like a team for it’s players and not where they represent.
Posted by Marilyn from Buffalo on 08/30/07 at 06:12 PM ET
To Marilyn…
I do like a lot of American Clubs. I’ve licked the Ducks since back when they first started & were Mighty… I’ve always loved the Bruins (well, not so much now...), cause of the intense rivalry we have here in Montreal with them. I’ve also like Buffalo since way back (my favorite all time jersey is the old blue. The Avs have also been a favorite, as they used to be the Nordiques & gave us nice matches here.
I do like American Teams, well, some of them at least. However, I find that funny how people whose clubs are finally doing well come out of the closet & say : “We have the best fan base & crowd”, when some of those arenas were empty when their team wasn’t doing too well. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that situation also happened in Buffalo during the slump.
Montreal hasn’t had a team that lived up to expectations (at least going to a conference finals) since 1993.... Yet the fans have never left & are still strong. When their is a match at night, people don’t go to a sports bar here.... they go to a bar, cause they all turn into sports bars when game time comes around.
I’ve seen people who live here, don’t like hockey & have never understood this phenomenon, but this city lives & breathes hockey. I guess it helps we don’t have any other major team (well, CFL....... :Op), but even if their was an NBA or NFL or whatever franchise, it would always be overshadowed by hockey. We had that happen with our MLB club.
Montreal, as most canadian city, is HOCKEYTOWN.
KayKay #23
Posted by Kayu from In Germany, but from Montreal on 08/31/07 at 03:43 AM ET
Oh, I know it happened in our slump. People stopped coming. I am sad to say that I was like, 8 then and did not like hockey yet. I said: “Home Crowd: I haven’t been anywhere but here, and we’re pretty awesome. Oh, and Calgary. Seeing their fans in RED! made me tear up.”
I know Sabres fans aren’t all true blue and gold-ers, but the arena wasn’t exactly empty. There were a measly thousand true fans still there.
I love the Habs and respect the great fans they have. I hope that even if my team does start to slump again that we will never have those numbers that we had a few years back, so we can fill the HSBC arena for all the seasons to come.
It is sad and it upsets me to see Sabres successes still overshadowed in the press, even when the Bills lose, so I can totally see how people will care more about football than hockey.
Even so, those of us in Buffalo who will always love hockey still pride ourselves with being so close to Toronto and Montreal and being so close to the places that hold all that hockey history, so much so that we feel a part of it. At least, I do.
Posted by Marilyn from Buffalo on 08/31/07 at 04:16 AM ET
kayu, i dont care how many people try and steal the title we proved it to philly in 98 no team will every steal the title hockey town.
Detroit is HOCKEYTOWN!
Posted by wingnut101 from detroit on 08/31/07 at 06:04 AM ET
Folks, folks… Avery shouldn’t be in the chippy category, he’s clearly the Under Your Skin Guy.
I’d play against Boogaard, Lappy, Sherrif Parker, Domi, ect… but going against Avery? No thanks.
Posted by puckcrazy from Avs country on 08/31/07 at 04:09 PM ET
Yeah, I was wondering actually.... where does that hockey town nickname come from ? I’m genuinely curious to know, as the Wikipedia explanation is certainly not very convincing…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hockeytown
Paul could probably answer that (or any Detroit fan).
Thanx.
Posted by Kayu from In Germany, but from Montreal on 09/03/07 at 03:34 AM ET
Best one-on-one D-man? Phaneuf for sure. When he hits hard, the opposing player’s breath rushes out in a sound that is eerily similar to Dion’s last name.
Posted by Cleo from Tampa, FL
haha ... love it
I agree with most of your picks Kuk ....
Datsyuk is by far the best one on one, he can deke any goalie out of thier shorts.
and cannot wait to see Grigorenko.
Posted by MzHockeyFanatic from USA on 09/03/07 at 01:37 PM ET
I do have to say that the LA Kings do have a pretty good fan base and every fan will claim their own as better then thou. So I’m leaving it pretty much open. (Although the Ducks fans are little hoodinies *now they are there, now they are not*)
Since some new categories were added I think I might add my bit.
Team change around: I’m biased here but I’m going to say the Kings. They may not have made “huge” FA signings but the ones they did sign, fit what they are looking for, which is young, and productive talent at a reasonable price. Now all we need is a stable goalie and were back in the playoffs.
Player I want to see retire: Cloutier (worst signing in Kings history)
Best/Worst jerseys: Best - LA Kings 00-01 jersey’s with the coat of arms. Worst - Any of the Ducks uni’s. The new one is better then the old but it is still plain.
Posted by Nick from Los Angeles, CA on 09/04/07 at 03:18 PM ET
Leave it to an LA fan (Nick) to be concerned about fashion on the ice. That big silver cup is more fashionable than any sweater that the Kings have ever sported.
KayKay, you are correct… while I’ve been a Ducks fan since they began in 93, the Southern California fan (in general) can definately be described as fair weather. It is true of the Ducks, the Kings, the Angels, etc. The Honda Center will be sold out every game in the 07 /08 season. 08 / 09 will depend on the outcome. Best fans… admittedly not.
I have no doubt that the Canadian teams pack in a serious crowd base; however, I’ve been to a pumping Pepsi Center and was definately impressed with the crowd. My vote for the fans is still with the Avs.
Posted by David from Southern California on 09/04/07 at 04:13 PM ET
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Hockey Links
One-on-One Offensive Player: Dany Heatley
One-on-One Defenseman: Chris Pronger
Assist Man: Crosby.
Pure Goal Scorer: Ovechkin.
Power Play Specialist: Kovalchuck.
Shorthanded Specialist: Sami Pahlsson
Need One Save: Martin Brodeur’s beating the Red Wings more than once. Also, he’s won a couple of playoff series, hence, Brodeur > Turco.
Guy You’ve Never Heard Of: David Clarkson.
Biggest Impact on a New Team: Scotty Gomez will make the Rangers offense conduct like a symphony, much as I hate to say it.
When it Gets Chippy: CAM JANSSEN!
Coach for a must-win game: Pat Burns.
Under Your Skin Guy: Avery.
Home Crowd: Buffalo.
Posted by Steve from Battle of NY on 08/28/07 at 11:04 AM ET