2011-12 NHL Discussion

[steelerfan]

Use this thread to discuss the 2011-12 NHL season.

[steelerfan]

The Pens open the preseason tomorrow night against Detroit.

I am ready for hockey!!

[SmoothPancakes]

Oh I hope Colorado does better this year. The Rockies have been sucking it up hardcore all season, I'm not expecting more than 5 wins, 6 tops out of the Broncos, and with the NBA currently on lockout, there's not even anything to hope or expect from the Nuggets. That just leaves the Avalanche.

[Paakaa10]

Oh I hope Colorado does better this year. The Rockies have been sucking it up hardcore all season, I'm not expecting more than 5 wins, 6 tops out of the Broncos, and with the NBA currently on lockout, there's not even anything to hope or expect from the Nuggets. That just leaves the Avalanche.

It sure has been slim pickings for the Avalanche in recent seasons. I grew up as a Montreal Canadiens fan--living close to Québec, we got Canadian TV and I watched the games with my grandparents--and that's how I started following Patrick Roy. When he left to join the Avalanche, I became a fan of the new Colorado club. Some pretty great teams in the late 90's/early 2000's. I took particular joy in Raymond Bourque having to leave the Bruins to go to the Avalanche and finally lift Lord Stanley's Cup.

[steelerfan]

The Avs youth movement played out pretty well 2 years ago, but last year the ol' Sophomore Slump got them. I'd guess the young guys will take a step forward and that the Giguere/Varlamov combination in net will be better than Anderson/Budaj.

[JBHuskers]

I am ready for hockey!!

I'm excited that Philly finally has somewhat of a solid goalie.

[steelerfan]

I'm excited that Philly finally has somewhat of a solid goalie.

Somewhat??

Bryzgalov won 78 games in the last 2 years in PHOENIX. He's much more than somewhat good. We'll see how Philly gels with all of the changes they've made, but I expect they'll be very stout.

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[JBHuskers]

Somewhat??

Bryzgalov won 78 games in the last 2 years in PHOENIX. He's much more than somewhat good. We'll see how Philly gels with all of the changes they've made, but I expect they'll be very stout.

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Well you've see the goalie situation the past few years....it could end up like Mushin Muhammed going to the Bears

[psusnoop]

I don't think anyone really thought he'd excel as a Bear

I have been pleased to hear and read about Crosby skating full speed these last two practices. That is very good news.

Also did you read that article about MacIntyre? Should say clip, but it should be fun seeing these guys enforcing their will upon opposing teams

[SmoothPancakes]

Farewell Mike Modano. You were fun to watch play. It's not going to be the same without him on the ice.

[steelerfan]

Pens beat the Red Wings, 3-2, in their preseason opener tonight. Malkin had a goal and an assist. Good to see him play well after last season's knee injury.

And snoop, no, I never looked up that clip.

[psuexv]

Pens beat the Red Wings, 3-2, in their preseason opener tonight. Malkin had a goal and an assist. Good to see him play well after last season's knee injury.

And snoop, no, I never looked up that clip.

Malkin looked really good last night

[steelerfan]

Pens 4, Blackhawks 1.

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[psusnoop]

Pens 4, Blackhawks 1.

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Good game last night

[psuexv]

Pens 4, Blackhawks 1.

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Good game last night

Got to like what we see so far. Malkin looked awesome the 1st game, Stahl game 2, Sid skating...

At least we don't throw bananas

[JBHuskers]

At least we don't throw bananas

[steelerfan]

Yeah, good to see Staal follow Geno's 2-goal outing with one of his own.

EDIT: Forgot to mention TK's 3-point night (1-2). I'm hoping he builds off of his 21 goal season last year.

[steelerfan]

Geno scores again as the Pens beat Minnesota, 4-1.

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[ram29jackson]

LOL hey, maybe with the NBA strike ESPN and others including local channels and fox sports etc will push more NHL games shown / I would personally love that since I cant affored season packages and stuff and my Direct-tv still wants extra for versus and stuff damnit

[SmoothPancakes]

Considering the NHL just signed a 10 year, $2 billion national TV rights contract with NBC and Versus back in April, what you suggest will never happen. Besides, ESPN has shown how much they care (not a damn bit) about hockey.

NBC/Versus fought off bids from Fox, Turner and ESPN, with the self-proclaimed Worldwide Leader in Sports reportedly dropping out at the end of the negotiations. The ESPN offer reportedly consisted of one nationally televised game per week on ESPN2, so in comparison to what Versus currently brings in terms of coverage, ESPN wasn't willing to go very far.