Post: #51

Well, the 2011-2012 hockey season has been over for a little while, 2012-2013 season starts in a couple of months!

I'm predicting that if the Blue Jackets don't have a decent season this year, that there's a good chance they'll be moved to another city. The stands are simply empty most games. Honestly I think one of the only reasons there's going to be a 2012-2013 season for the Blue Jackets is because Columbus will be hosting the NHL All Star Game.

I'm only updating this thread because I just read on Yahoo! that Mike Modano is getting divorced.

Hockey's Mike Modano, actress Willa Ford divorcing

Quote:Retired hockey star Mike Modano and actress Willa Ford have decided to end their five-year marriage.

Modano spokesman Rob Scichili (SHICK'-lee) said Wednesday the couple was divorcing but didn't have further details. The 42-year-old Modano and Ford married in 2007 in Athens, Texas.

Modano is the highest-scoring American-born player in NHL history with 561 goals and 1,374 points. He spent 21 years with the Stars in Minnesota and Dallas and retired after one season with the Detroit Red Wings, closer to his hometown of Livonia, Mich.

The 31-year-old Ford was on "Dancing With the Stars" in 2006 and now appears in the Starz television drama "Magic City."

Post: #52

I'm not enjoying reading the hockey news lately, the possibility of another lockout really has me bummed.

On the positive side I'll be attending plenty of ECHL, college, and Junior A games this year.

First face off is in a month!

Post: #53

2 year lock out anyone?

Post: #54

Wow I thought I already posted in this thread, I guess not.

I love hockey. It is the only sport I follow really closely. Last season I went to 6 or 7 games. (1 in San Jose, the rest in Phoenix.)

I really like following the business side of hockey as well and it will be really interesting to see what happens with this lockout. I am hoping that season starts pretty soon but I am actually kind of glad the preseason got cancelled because preseason games are just a way to screw season ticket holders. (Season ticket holders are required to buy preseason tickets whether they want them or not.)

It will be interesting to see what happens with Seattle and Quebec. No doubt I think hockey can do good in both of these markets, especially Quebec, but Seattle will be good too because of all the minor league teams there and the good attendance they have.

Post: #55

Eight days since this thread was last posted in, when 82 games through Oct. 24th were cancelled. Now 53 more games through November 1 are cancelled.

Two big issues here:

1.) The Winter Classic will be next on the chopping block, if cancellations continue and the lockout shows no sign of ending. This is extremly important, as the Winter Classic is one of the best things the league has introduced in a long time.

2.) The Columbus Blue Jackets are scheduled to host the 2013 All-Star Game. The Blue Jackets are already a struggling franchise, the market being host to a losing team year after year. Hosting the All-Star game could be a huge break for the metro area, in gaining new hockey fans. If the season is cancelled and the All-Star game isn't hosted in Columbus, I expect it to be a contributing factor in the franchise folding at some point.

Post: #56

We made it to the New Year with the lockout still in place and no season likely forthcoming.

Thank goodness for the AHL and ECHL, as well as other minor league hockey leagues + teams. I can still get my hockey fix.

Honestly the NHL season was lost to me the moment the Winter Classic was cancelled.

Post: #57

Still a chance for a 48-game season if a deal gets done by January 11th. Otherwise, there will be no NHL season. Negotiations continuing tomorrow morning...

Post: #58

I love hockey, but I am sick of this bull shit. 2 seasons lost in 7 years is an absolute disgrace. I am not sure after this year if I will ever watch again or attend another NHL game. Billionaires fighting with Millionaires is getting old.

Post: #59

And we're back...

Post: #60

(01-06-2013 06:12 AM)Nonpareil Wrote:  And we're back...

I guess we'll see our next lockout for the 2022-2023 season, then...

I wonder how many people will be watching or attending games. I think a lot of fans are sick of the NHL, myself included. As far as I'm concerned, the season disappeared with the cancellation of the Winter Classic and the All-Star Game. Maybe I'll watch next season.

Post: #61

And now the Luongo trade saga begins again.

I personally think that the Rangers will win the cup this year.

Post: #62

I wonder if these newly implemented amnesty buyouts will happen immediately or have to wait till this summer. Goodbye Komisarek, Gomez, Redden, and Horcoff soon???

Post: #63

There is definitely some bad blood with the fans but the half of the league that has always had strong attendance will not have any problems. However, I'd be surprised if some teams, like Florida, Phoenix, and Anaheim will even draw 10,000 per game for the first quarter of the season.

Whatever, I'm excited that there will be a season. Let's go Flyers!

Post: #64

(01-07-2013 07:21 PM)Blackmagic Wrote:  Let's go Flyers!

Your goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov, used to play here in Cincinnati for the AHL Mighty Ducks. Players used to give away sticks all the time. Among others, I have this one:

[attachment=9406]

Stick is dated 12 Oct. 2001.

Post: #65

(01-07-2013 09:19 PM)MSW2007 Wrote:  Your goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov, used to play here in Cincinnati for the AHL Mighty Ducks. Players used to give away sticks all the time.

That's pretty cool. Unfortunately, many Flyers fans wish he was still in the AHL. Talk of him being bought out under the amnesty clause of the CBA. (Allows teams to buy out players' contracts using their own personal cash and have it not count against the salary cap)

Post: #66

That's awesome you have Bryzgalov's stick. I loved watching him play when he was in Phoenix. He was a huge boost to the Coyotes but he lost his magic when he left. Who knows, maybe it will be back this year.

I actually think this season will be the highest attended season (by percent) in many years for the NHL. Each team will only have 24 home games plus playoffs and each game is worth more than last season.

What are your guys predictions? I think Wild, Vancouver, and LA will top the west while Rangers, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia will top the east with Rangers winning the cup.

Post: #67

(01-07-2013 10:07 PM)IQVX Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:19 PM)MSW2007 Wrote:  Your goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov, used to play here in Cincinnati for the AHL Mighty Ducks. Players used to give away sticks all the time.

That's pretty cool. Unfortunately, many Flyers fans wish he was still in the AHL. Talk of him being bought out under the amnesty clause of the CBA. (Allows teams to buy out players' contracts using their own personal cash and have it not count against the salary cap)

Buying Breezy out one year after signing him to that deal (which was basically the type of deal that the new CBA aims to prevent) would be a seriously scummy move...but then again, Richards and Carter.

I do very much think that Bryzgalov was a goalie that was more a product of the system than his skills though. I think that the buyout candidates are Pronger (have heard he's seriously fucked up and considering retiring) and maybe Briere (but then again, he's a playoff warrior).

There's allegedly a new clause in the CBA that allows teams to chat with players the week before July 1st, I like that.

Post: #68

I wonder if the NHL is going to lower its absurdly high ticket prices. I'm guessing not.

Post: #69

You guys are going to need room for the massive contract that Giroux will command in 2014-15.

Post: #70

Well, the NHL returns...

Favorite line of the Wikipedia article regarding the lockout:

Quote:Molson-Coors reported reduced sales in Canada, blaming the lack of sales on the arenas being empty and people not having hockey parties taking away many beer-buying opportunities.

I've heard that lots of Canadians consider Molson to be pisswater but here in Ohio it makes for great cheap swill.

Post: #71

(01-08-2013 02:49 AM)MSW2007 Wrote:  I wonder if the NHL is going to lower its absurdly high ticket prices. I'm guessing not.

It will be fine, Timonen is off the payroll this year. So will be Pronger.

Post: #72

(01-12-2013 12:03 AM)MSW2007 Wrote:  Well, the NHL returns...

Favorite line of the Wikipedia article regarding the lockout:

Quote:Molson-Coors reported reduced sales in Canada, blaming the lack of sales on the arenas being empty and people not having hockey parties taking away many beer-buying opportunities.

I've heard that lots of Canadians consider Molson to be pisswater but here in Ohio it makes for great cheap swill.

It is piss, but it is all they serve in the arenas.

Post: #73

(03-04-2012 01:55 PM)MSW2007 Wrote:  Hey fellas. Watching NHL on NBC today, Bruins vs. Rangers. Sitting around the apartment with a case of beer, frozen pizza, salsa and chips. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon, after a Saturday night bender.

I suppose while watching hockey you guys can get hold of these, can't ya?



Can't seem to find any 40 oz. bottles of either, in this part of the USA. Got hooked on the two watching ECHL games at the local arena - beer special nights, 24 oz. for $2.00

Those are only really good for the novelty ...if that

Post: #74

So who watched the season debut yesterday?

I didn't. Too pissed about the Winter Classic and All-Star game in Columbus being cancelled.

Post: #75

Didn't watch a minute of it. I think I will boycott the rest of the season as planned. Might be tough for me if the flyers make a big run though.